Producing Quality How-To Videos for Social Media Publication

Part I: The ProjectHardware Goes High-Tech

The Product

• Standalone Test Scoring Machine– Scans Optical

Mark Recognition form used in classrooms for tests

– Does not need to connect to a computer

The Concept

• Audience analysis showed that teachers:– Like to learn more from people than

from reading– Like to see a product or task

overview, then try it– Often never get printed manuals

(usually lost or never delivered by IT)

– Are typically not at or near a computer when scanning

– Prefer to print/refer to only targeted, necessary portions of a manual, if they do get one

The Project

• SO, we decided to attach basic doc to the scanner:– Front panel – Back pull-out panel

• AND include some pieces in the box:– Poster– What’s In the Box/Getting Started

The Project, continued

• AND we decided to create a web site that included video as well as more traditional hypertext help, as well as a printable PDF job aid for every major task– Tools:

• MadCap Flare (WebHelp output)• Adobe Elements/Premiere• High-Def video camera• Podcasting audio mixer & mic• Studio w/ “live” office setup

The Decisions

• Along the way, we learned a LOT:– Keep the videos short– Find a good hand model early– Plan on several takes for *both* audio & video– Record audio separately– Having a visually accurate and properly operating unit is a

critical dependency– Get the best video editing software you can, and take the

system requirements for it seriously– Allow plenty of time for script writing & review– Live sets are cheaper/easier than green-screening– Spend the $ on decent music– Decide on an output size and video ratio and keep it consistent

Let’s look at it!

Producing Quality How-To Videos for Social Media Publication

Part II: Video Operator’s GuideHardware Goes Shopping

• Video Camera w Storage Media• Tripod• Lighting• AV Monitor• Microphone/Headphones• Editing Software• Music• Set• Distribution

Let’s Go Shopping!

Video Camera w Storage Media

Canon VIXIA HFS100•Takes SDHC memory card•1920X1080 full HD recording•HDMI cable out•$1100

Tripod

Davis & Sanford Provista with FM18 Head•Smooth fluid head•HEAVY duty•Quick release mount•Carrying bag•$190

Lighting

PBL 4550 Watt Premium Cinema Production Kit•1000 Watt Softboxes•650 Watt Overhead Boom Softbox•Barndoors, Gels, Sandbags, and More•$980

AV Monitor

Acer H233H 23 inch Widescreen LCD Monitor•1920X1080 resolution•HDMI input•$200

Microphone/Headphones

Behringer PodcaStudio USB•XM8500 Microphone•UCA200 Audio Interface•XENYX 502 Mixer•HPM1000 Headphones•$130

Editing Software

• Adobe Premiere Elements 8

• $100 ($144 for ver. 9)

• Audacity• Free

Editing Software (Better)

• Adobe Master Collection

• Premiere Pro, After Effects, SoundBooth, OnLocation, Encore, and Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks

• $2500

Music

FreePlayMusic.com• Production Music• $500

StudioCutz.com• Royalty Free• Best Corporate

Soundtracks of 2007

• Downloadable wav and mp3

• $100

Set

Ravelli Background Stand

• 3 backdrops• 10X12’• $170

Hand-me-down Office Furniture

• Free!

Set - Backdrop

Set - Furniture

YouTube•Rendering time: about 20 minutes•Generated file size: about 400 MB•YouTube upload time: about 20 minutes•YouTube downloadable file size: about 20 MB•Cost: Free!•Save to H264 1920X1080 HD resolution

Distribution

Video Camera w Storage Media$1,100Tripod $190Lighting $980AV Monitor $200Microphone/Headphones $130Editing Software $100Music $100Set $170Distribution FreeTotal $2,970

Equipment Total

Keep it short• Talk fast • Squeeze out every unnecessary second• Music helps if some scenes are lengthy

Keep it simpleKeep an eye on production time

• About 8 hours per minute• We produced 42 minutes of video (taking

360 hours to do it)

Rules of Thumb

Total cost for Video Operator’s Guide

•Time: (360 hours X $50 =) $18,000•Equipment: $2,970•Grand Total: $20,970