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Caveats for Video Creation
This is a brief primer to help you successfully create a short (15 minute) video.
There are 3 elements you need to consider in your video production before you start:
- capturing or shooting your original material
- editing your video
- exporting your video to an easily viewable format
The following discussion is our recommendation for obtaining good results. It may not be the fastest and
it may not provide you with the best quality, but it is a good middle road for getting your project completed. You will learn about the technology involved, but your focus will stay on your content. Finally, if you end up becoming
a teacher, you'll have a bit of experience with a technology that is currently becoming popular in the schools.
1) Capturing or Shooting Your Original Material
- Secure a video camera with a firewire (IEEE 1394b) output and enough blank tape.
(You can also use an older camera with a/v outputs, but NOT a camera with only USB outputs.) Make sure
the batteries are charged and you are familiar with the camera before the shoot (try it out).
When testing the camera for video and sound, try to zoom and pan slowly. Avoid jerky movements.
- Plan your shoot. Who will be there, what time, and what will they bring? When shooting, people
seem to have two approaches. Some shoot lots of footage in the hope of not missing anything.
However they will spend more time reviewing/deciding what they will ultimately use. Others try
to capture only what they want, but may miss spontaneous events.
- After the 'event', review what you shot to be sure you have what you need, and to become more familiar
with your footage.
2) Editing your Video
- Review your raw video footage before coming to the lab. When you have picked the segments you think
you want, you are ready to import them into the computer. It is best (because of large file sizes and
limited computer abilities) to NOT import all your video, just what you think you will use.
- When arranging a time the team can meet to edit, assume editing will take longer than you think.
It is best to get your video edited at one sitting so you do not have to leave your project on a
public computer in the lab. Reserve the 'production room' in WH1006 so it is assured to be open for y
ou. If it is your first time, let us know you will need help. Assume 3-4 hours of editing for a short
video. Several video editing computers are also available for walk-in when classes are not using the
computer lab.
- The process goes something like this: You connect the camera to the computer (hence the importance of
a 'firewire' connection) and import footage you think you will use. If you import one hour, it will
take at least one hour. Then you pick the 'clips' you want to use in your final video, arrange them
in an order, and cut out pieces you don't want (i.e. dead time in the middle of a clip). To create a
15 minute final piece with 1 and one-half hours of raw tape usually takes 3-4 hours. If you want to
add titles/credits, music or voice over, it will take longer.
- When working with video, your files can get very large. One minute of video can easily be 200mb
(180 floppies!) As you work, the computer will render (work on your video) in the background.
It is important to work methodically, not click all around the screen quickly, because you can freeze
the computer and lose part (or all) of your project. As you work, save your project often.
3) Exporting Your Video to an Easily Viewable Format:
When your program is finished, how do you want your 'audience' to view it? Your choices include: VHS tape
(mediocre quality); back to digital tape (high quality, need camera for playback); CD (mediocre quality); DVD
(high quality, easy playback, easy search, we use dvd-r media). Most students prefer to burn to dvd for
their project. Be sure to bring enough blank media so each group member may have a copy.
Summary: Start early, plan ahead, ask for help before you are in crisis, and enjoy the process.
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