How to record a good video

• Decide on the type of video you want to create and whether you need any equipment – the Video tree (in Estonian) may help you with that.
• Prepare material for 20-30 minutes of video maximum (a person can focus on a video for about 20 minutes).
• When creating instructional videos (not video lectures!), remember that one hour of video requires at least two hours of work.

Technical quality

• A lighter background leaves a more cheerful impression.
• Make sure to minimise background noise in the video shoot location (phone, coffee machine, ventilation, street noise, etc.).
• Try not to touch the microphone – this creates additional noise.
• Avoid using the keyboard – this creates additional noise.
• Make sure there is enough light.
• First, make a short test recording.

Delete the test recording from the Panopto server immediately after reviewing it!

Presentation slides

• Use the same design template throughout the course.
• The opening slide includes the topic of the lecture, contacts of lecturer and the year of creation.
• The slides are numbered.
• At the beginning of the video lecture, give a short overview of the topic to be covered.
• Use a single-coloured slide template that is as light and neutral as possible (dark text on a white is the best).
• Use as few colours as possible (one colour for body text, another for titles).
• Emphasise important parts by bold (instead of another colour or underlining).
• Make sure the font size is sufficient (22-28, max 36 for titles) and same on all slides.
• Use lists to break down the text.
• Insert the titles of slides correctly in the design template as titles (later on, these titles will form the menu of the video lecture).
• Have a closing slide (thanks, wishes for the future or a blank slide) so that the presentation would not end before the spoken text.

Outfit and looks

• Prefer darker (blue, brown, grey, dark beige, violet) single-coloured clothing, but not black (this absorbs too much light).
• Avoid white and yellow clothing, as these reflect too much light.
• Avoid mixing patterned clothing.
• It is good if the clothes have a place to attach the microphone to (when using a lapel microphone).
• Use the same clothing to record all video lectures of the course.
• Using a light powder helps to reduce shine.
• Avoid using massive, shiny, long and dangling jewellery.
• Wear clothing that prevents and conceals sweat marks.
• Prefer comfortable footwear.

Speech and gaze

• Make sure your video lecture has clear advantages over reading written text out loud.
• Include real-life examples and one joke.
• Speak clearly.
• Prefer a faster pace and speak with enthusiasm.
• Use shorter sentences.
• Change your intonation and volume to emphasise important parts.
• Remain tactful.
• Smile.
• Look into the camera.
• If you have to look away from the camera (e.g. for notes), turn your head, not just the eyes.
• Do not look away from the camera too often: it may leave an impression of lacking competence.