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Keep in mind that longer is not better. 5-6 minutes is about the limit for most people watching a “lecture-style” video. Having more people involved in the video can increase this time, but focus on including audio and video that help make your point.

Before you begin recording, think about what you want to accomplish with your video. What is the information you want your audience to learn? Is there something you want them to do after watching your video? Consider developing a storyboard. If you’re conducting an interview, make sure your interviewee knows what you want to capture and have your list of questions and follow-up questions.

Audio Capturing

a. Audio is the most important part of a video recording.

  • You’ll lose audience attention if the dialogue isn’t understandable or there’s too much noise.
  • Depending on what you’re shooting, people may watch videos back at faster speeds than intended. Audio must handle that.
  • If the talent is particularly slow or fast annunciating, you can modify pacing to some degree when editing. Just make sure it still sounds natural.

b. Consider using a separate audio recorder that can be placed conveniently for what you’re trying to capture. (Use a “clapper”)

c. Connect and test the microphone

d. Have your subject(s) speak to you in their normal voice and make sure the levels are good.

e. If you get a sense that they’ll get animated and raise their voice, try to get them to do that too. Sound may clip. (You should work with your camera to know where you want the levels.)

f. Microphone placement and the space will make a difference to the sound.

g. Things to Be Aware of:

  • P’s can pop sound.
  • If the talent is expected to read or otherwise look down, it will affect audio. Paper in front of the talent may cause phasing.
  • Outside frequently picks up wind as well as background noise. Use a windscreen if you have one
  • Listen for noises from ventilation, ambient sounds in the space, people traffic
  • Hard surfaces aren’t absorbent and will reflect sound (glass, concrete, metal)

h. Get a sample of the background sound – especially if it’s droning – you can create a template for removing.

Once you have completed audio capturing, check out our tips for video capturing!

Audio Capturing of a Video Recording
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