Creating Your Video

Below are some recommendations for self-recording a video from your remote workspace. Many of recording suggestions are demonstrated in this quick tips video about recording with a phone. (Their advice is also true for other smart devices, cameras, and computers.)

Preparing for the Recording

Minimize background noise, clutter, and movement

  • Avoid turning pages if you have written remarks
  • Find a quiet space. Noise from children, traffic, or cooking, for example, distracts viewers.
  • Have a simple and still background
    • Remove things if shelves are full or too personal
    • Movement from people, pets, or fans draw viewer eyes away from you

Assembling your “studio”

  • Position your camera lens at eye level
    • If you have written remarks, prop them by the camera lens to avoid looking down during the recording
    • Tripods make the eye-level setup easier for cameras and smart devices
  • Be close to the lens, so your body is captured from mid-chest height to a little above your head
    • Don’t use the zoom. Get closer to the lens.
  • The lighting should be behind your camera, not behind you
    • An unlit background can help set the focus on you
    • Make sure you have enough space between you and the background so there are no shadows behind you.
    • Natural light is best, but if you need a lamp, use a shade to diffuse the light
  • If you do not have an external microphone, create your own lavalier microphone with a set of corded earbuds (with mic)
    • Use a clip (even a clothespin) to pin the microphone on your shirt just below the camera view. Remember to select it as your audio in your recording application (a.k.a. Zoom).
    • If you only have Bluetooth headphones, charge your earbuds fully and disconnect other Bluetooth devices.
  • If you must use the computer or camera microphone, be less than three feet from the device.

You On-Camera

  • Style & Cosmetics
    • Avoid white, bright red, black, or clothes with small or busy prints, slogans or logos. Blue and green work well for on-camera as do vibrant colors. Avoid wrinkly, or “floppy” fabrics.
    • Consider using hair spray if your hair is prone to flyaways, or powder makeup for shine, and any other cosmetics that you tend to use when presenting at conferences.
  • Demeanor & Movement
    • Bring some energy and express yourself with your expressions; avoid body movement.
    • Swaying or swiveling distorts the camera focus.
    • Clothing and gestures near microphones can create rustling noises.
    • Speak at a natural, but moderately slow pace.
      • Zoom and similar video applications lose the sync between audio and video when the subject talks too quickly
      • Quick speak can be hard to follow and appear nervousness
  • Handling Gaffes
    • The quickest way to upload and post a message is to create a video that is complete from start to finish, which means no starts and stops, or mistakes. Since this is difficult to do, to make editing easier, try to ‘freeze’ on-screen when you need to collect your thoughts or have made an error. If you have an editor, let them know the time at which the freeze(s) occurs so they can edit that segment out.

Recording Device and File Transfer or Publishing

Cameras (and stand/tripod)
(Pros: Good A/V quality; Cons: Need to download files in a viewer and transfer those file using programs, such as WeTransfer, GoogleDrive, or DropBox)

Computers
(Pros: ease of use and file transfer, as well as the ability to include slides/screen sharing; A/V quality can be poor, especially if your internet connection is weak)

  • Zoom is easy to download and install.
    • Make sure your internet connection is strong (move closer to the router or use an ethernet/CAT cable if not)
    • Start a new meeting (using the desktop version) with yourself only.
    • Turn on your audio and camera.
    • Confirm that you are using computer audio (microphone), or whatever option activates your makeshift lavalier microphone.
    • Make sure that you are recording (saving to computer).

Mobile Devices (and stand/tripod)
(Pros: good audio/video quality; Cons: Ease of transfer for large files and difficulty focusing your eyes on just the devise lens and not the screen)

  • iPhone – Open settings, swipe down and tap “Camera,” tap “Record Video,” Select “4K” at 24 or 30 fps, or the highest other setting.
     
  • Android – Within the Camera app, click the settings icon, and adjust “video size” to 16:9 – Resolution UHD 3840x2160, or the highest other setting.
     
  • Adjust the focus and exposure by tapping/holding on yourself (the main subject). Most phones will autocorrect the focus and exposure. Tap until you are in focus.

Reviewing & Editing

  • Always review your recording to confirm good audio quality and the A/V sync, and to find/address any gaffes.
  • If needed, re-record or hire an editor to make modifications (Communications has recommendations for vendors and software.)
  • Change the file name to include the last name and date before sending it (WeTransfer, DropBox, and GoogleDrive are good options)
  • When sharing the link, include your name, degree(s), and title as well as the video title and description or link to your bio.

Videos Published In-House

Communications can advise you on video branding and publishing. Please email Anne Foulke Toner at af2231@cumc.columbia.edu to get started.