Tips for Creating Quality Video

What to Wear

We want you to look and sound great when recording your videos. Choosing what to wear is a critical component toward achieving that goal. You want your students to pay attention to your content and what you are teaching, not to what you are wearing. If you follow these guidelines, we’ll make sure you look sharp so that nothing distracts your students from learning your material.

Style.

We want your clothing to be reflective of the content you are teaching as well as your personal style. For example, if you currently wear a suit and tie to your classroom, then wear a suit and tie for your video recording. However, if less-formal attire is more appropriate, that's perfectly acceptable. One caveat: if you typically wear t-shirts to teach, please consider wearing a dress shirt or golf shirt, as t-shirts can sometimes read as sloppy on camera.

Makeup.

In the world of professional video, everyone wears make-up. We recommend at least powder, and when appropriate, lipstick, even when filming via Zoom. Even the smallest amount makes a difference. If you do not have access to powder, we understand. But for those who do or are willing to make such a purchase, a simple compact from your local drugstore will work.

Clothing.

Sometimes things that look good in person do not look good on camera. It’s appropriate to wear the same outfit for an entire day, even if your content spans over a few weeks.

Colors and Patterns.

The most important thing to remember is to have on hand solid colored clothing and to avoid black, white, and patterns. Some examples that work well on camera are jewel-tones, earthtones, or even some pastels. Below are some additional examples:

• Blues

• Greens

• Purples

• Deeper shades of red, pink, or orange

• Certain shades of yellow

• Grays

• Browns

The camera does peculiar things to shiny fabric, colors, and prints when they are under the lights. Some small swatches of patterns can work on camera such as ties, scarves or shells.

Additional Tips.

• Image - Dress in a way that fits the image and message you are trying to project.

• Jewelry - Shiny jewelry and metal tie clips might reflect light into the camera, so these will need to be tested. Excessively large jewelry such as long earrings (which may sparkle, shine, or dangle in the light) and jewelry that rattles, clicks, and clanks such as multiple bracelets or long necklaces (which might cause distracting noise against a microphone) should be tested on camera.

Recording Lecture Videos

Your lecture videos can be as dynamic as you want them to be. The Soapbox platform allows you to share your screen and show slides or other visual accompaniments, websites, programs, and documents.

Remember, in the online environment, you are not teaching to a classroom full of people, you are teaching to each individual student (one at a time) who will be watching that video on their computer screen or mobile device. Consider teaching in this format much more akin to a one-on-one tutoring session. Your delivery doesn't have to be perfect, but it is important for you to be accurate. While recording, if you misspeak or make a mistake, correct yourself and keep going, just as you would in a live-audience environment.

Pre-planning is important, whether for lecture content, demonstrations, or interviews. Aim to limit each video's length to ten minutes or fewer, depending on video type (see more tips under Asynchronous Instruction), and to give each video a descriptive title so that students can easily go back and find segments to re-watch. Consider splitting long videos into multiple parts.

If desired, you can print out and have paper notes with you at your desk -- if that is most comfortable for you. We suggest not using a swivel chair if possible, to avoid the risk of swaying while conducting the lecture.

As much as possible, try to look directly at the camera while lecturing so that the eye-line to the student is maintained. Looking back and forth between notes and the camera is fine, but your goal is to look into the camera as much as possible and to teach in a conversational, personal manner to your online student.

Though careful pre-planning is important, scripting your lecture content is not recommended for several reasons. First, your delivery will come off unnaturally if you are reading verbatim from a script. Reading from a script is a skill that involves practice and rehearsal. More importantly, your lecture content should authentic to you!