Developing Video Training Modules for Teachers

[xitaqua]

Hello All,

Here is a new thread just to focus on developing on a training module about making "videos".

edbaker have given us 10 good tips of doing videos :

1) Videographer as a mentor.
2) Master the skill of pan and zoom.
3) Always use a tripod.
4) Use a mic (either overhead boom, under scene boom or handheld, or lapel)
5) Rule of thirds : 1/3 inside frame left or right, and about 1/3 from the top.
6) Subject is 1/3 frame from left side: look straight at interviewer off to the right side of the camera.
7) Brief the subject to talk to the interviewer, not the camera.
8) Count off the seconds that a particular frame is on screen.
9) Drop visuals to give the viewer different perspectives.
10) interviewing more than one person: other panelists are non-distracting.


Here is a second video, still has a lot things to improve......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaHwEl3k-dE
In just video we have no music on the background, we are still working in getting a mic and tripod.....


Here is a question for all :

What kind of tips you have on distributing video on youtube ?

Cheers,
Marcos.

[DonRotolo]

Just a few comments on what you did post:

1. OMG! You can't walk and shoot video (unless you're trying to get us sick...). Use a bicycle or other rubber-wheeled device as a tripod carrier.

2. Your eyes are about 4 times faster than a video. What this means (#2 above) is that you need to pan and zoom about 4 times slower than you think is slow enough. Like that cake, it was too fast.

3. Microphones are critical. Unless you are recording in real silence, you need to have your subject speaking into a microphone. Inexpensive lapel mics are a good choice, as are hand-held. Learn about the different patterns that microphones ahve, and use the right one. (Get a directional mic for a single subject).

4. #3 above, you cannot hand-hold a camera.

But not bad for a first shot at it. These are lessons that take experience to learn.

If you need to insert things like screen shots, or do a demonstration of software, use a program like Adobe Captivate, it is very nice for such things.

[Alivia]

Great tips! As a former student and now mentor of the film crew aspect of FIRST, it's great to see more and more teams becoming concerned with taking videos and documenting their season more effectively.

One thing I'd like to comment on is this:

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

4. #3 above, you cannot hand-hold a camera.

I agree that teams should try to use a tripod as much as possible, as that provides a video that is far less shaky and jumpy. However, I don't think it is impossible to hand-hold a camera once a person has experience doing so. After practice, one can achieve a fairly steady hand, and capture even more moments by hand-holding a camera. This will also depend on the type of video equipment you have, I suppose, but I've had success with both higher-quality and lower-quality equipment.

#1 in the original post said "Videographer as a mentor." I *think* this meant that the person taking the video should be a mentor. (Although I could definitely be reading this the wrong way and apologize if that's the case.) I think that this part of the process should be more of a student and mentor collaborative project than solely mentor-based. If it wasn't for the mentors I had on my first FIRST team--who showed me how to do just about EVERYTHING in the media world-- I would never have acquired the knowledge or skills that I'm now passing down to the students I'm mentoring on my new team. Furthermore, as has been said before, there is a whole slew of students who might not be as interested in the science and engineering realm of robotics who would love to have an outlet such as this. I only speak from experience on this one. If it weren't for those mentors, I wouldn't have realized my affinity to media and wouldn't be where I am today. So I would recommend opening videography to students, and resort to a mentor-based video team only if you can't get students who are interested.

Just my .02.

[xitaqua]

Alivia,

Thanks for the comments !!!!.

In regards to the tip #1 "Videographer as a mentor." :

I meant to mean someone that do this a profession to be a mentor for the team, it could be a TV reporter or a wedding videographer or even other teams who has done this before and has sucessfully produced, edited and distributed videos.

I think video distribution phase is one of the aspects that more information is needed. YouTube is a great way to experiment with "video distribution".....we have gained a lot insight by watching our statistics of BEMRC videos and the 2 videos we have released so far.

We got a mini-grant from MSTA St. Louis Chapter, and with a matching grant from BEMRC we plan to develop Training Videos for teachers in Missouri. If your team would be interested in participating, send me a private e-mail.

Thanks,
Marcos.

[ebarker]

As in most professions the apprentice model works great. Great for engineering, law, medicine, woodcraft, ironworks, etc.

My intent in the statement "Videographer as mentor" - Find someone that has professional experience in broadcast, media production, or even a good video teacher at school.

Periodically run clips by them and ask them to comment. I suggest wearing 'iron pants'.

When I was a teenager I did some radio work. The pro's would review the tapes with red pencil and copy in hand. It wasn't pretty at first but you learn a lot.

Mentoring by professionals encompasses all areas, not just robot building.

[Alivia]

Originally Posted by ebarker

My intent in the statement "Videographer as mentor" - Find someone that has professional experience in broadcast, media production, or even a good video teacher at school.

Thanks for the clarification! As I said, I wasn't completely sure what was meant, so I apologize for the confusion. I'm glad to hear many people feel the same way about the video aspect of FIRST as I do. And I full-heartedly agree--any professional (or even average person who has knowledge in the subject) is a great asset to teach others.

Keep on documenting, teams!

[xitaqua]

Hello All,

It is very neat that today's technology has advanced so much that using low cost video camera (<$200), we can shoot professional quality video.....yeah...yeah I know the quality of our videos so far are far from "professional", technology alone is not enough !

Does anyone has a flip video camera ?. I am curious to hear from others their experience shooting videos and uploading to youtube using this type of camera. The goal is to be able to put these short videos (less than 5 minutes videos) in less than 30 minutes including shooting,editing and uploading.

So far we have done two videos following the same format :
1) external shot moving into the building.
2) internal shot in the building.
3) 2 interviews: Why robotics competition ?. What makes a good mentor ?

Cheers,
Marcos.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by xitaqua

technology alone is not enough

A well-designed and edited video clip shot on a $150 camera can have far more impact than one shot on the finest equipment available, if poorly designed or edited.

Of course, the opposite is also true: Good equipment in good hands can produce spectacular work.

Remember the audience: If it's YouTube, then NTSC resolution is usually fine.

Finding someone to mentor you through the video process would be excellent. Remember that most people are proud of their skills and are happy to share. Even a still photographer can add a lot of value - do you have a local newspaper who might send a photog over to talk about it?

Alivia: Yes, of course one can hand-hold; pros do it all the time. Amateurs are best advised to try to avoid it whenever possible. Shaking cameras just get people sick. Great advice though!

[xitaqua]

"Remember the audience: If it's YouTube, then NTSC resolution is usually fine."


Good point !. The audience is teachers in Missouri who are interested in coaching robotics teams, specially targeted toward new teachers. The hope is to have a 30 minute powerpoint presentation in which also shows 3 videos of folks talking about why robotics competition is a beneficial activity to students and 3 videos of folks talking about what makes a good mentor. Total presentation to be 30 minutes.

I think if teams do not own a camera already, might as well spring for another $50 and get an HD Camera such as the flip-video, you might never know when you might the extra capability.......

[DonRotolo]

Indeed, shoot in the highest resolution you can afford.

====
Diverging slightly: About 5 years ago, I was in the audience at work, where our FIRST regional director was giving a presentation looking for help with a local team, and he had a video maybe 10 minutes long that was quite good, IIRC a professional piece from FIRST. Ask your FIRST management, maybe they have something that can be leveraged.

[xitaqua]

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

Diverging slightly: About 5 years ago, I was in the audience at work, where our FIRST regional director was giving a presentation looking for help with a local team, and he had a video maybe 10 minutes long that was quite good, IIRC a professional piece from FIRST. Ask your FIRST management, maybe they have something that can be leveraged.

Yeah I am awaiting for the PBS Documentary to see if we can leverage anything.... I mentored one of the teams in Wentzville, MO which was filmed.

In the meantime I would like to get the perspective of other adults that have not been filmed yet. I think your idea of asking "FIRST Management" is a good one, it is neat to hear all different perspectives, here is what we are looking at right now :

Why robotics competition ?
1) School Principal
2) Company Senior Executive
3) FIRST Management

What makes a good mentor ?
1) College Students that is a mentor.
2) Professional Enginner Mentor for a Rookie Team.
3) Seasoned Mentor - Mentored more than 2 different teams.