1. Planning

How Much Time Do you Need?

Planning Tips

Content/Topic

Your video should only cover one topic, if you have multiple topics to cover you should create more than one video.

Create a rough outline with bullet points of what you would like to cover, this will help you to write the script later on.

Visuals

The best way to convey your message is to use relevant images and non-redundant text (think "just the facts!").

For screen captures, use images that relate to what you're saying and don't load the screen with big chunks of text, just the very important points.

Tone

This can make or break a video. Too silly and professors won't take it seriously, too serious and professors might fall asleep before it's finished. Think about what you are trying to convey and select an appropriate tone.

Humour is nearly ALWAYS a good thing, you just have to decide on the type of humour and the amount that is appropriate for your video.

Duration

Attention spans are getting shorter and shorter so try to shorten your video as much as possible. Your video should only be as long as it needs to be to cover your concept, no more no less.

Aim for no longer than 3 minutes, unless you are showing a process that takes more time.

Footage

You can make your video more engaging by selecting different types of footage to use. You could use live action as well as different types of screen capture (demos, static content, animations, etc.)

Alternate between different types of footage to keep your viewer engaged in the video. Allow time to absorb the information between shots.

Legal Considerations

Waivers

If you are asking someone other than your group members to be in the video, it may be a good idea to ask them to sign a waiver. A waiver shows they have agreed to appear in your idea.

Here is a sample waiver you could use. It's not specific to your program but it identifies that the student is appearing in a video created at Seneca.

Copyright

Watch the video below to learn what copyrighted materials you can and cannot use in your videos.

Complete summary of the video

This page gives you advice for citing your sources in your video.

Here is a quick summary for what copyrighted materials you can and can't use in your video project.