How?

How do you write a good script? How do you make a video? What equipment do you use? The choices are plenty, from basic to advanced - you choose what fits you.

Here, you can first read about writing script for video. Then you can read about screen recording, recording with your mobile camera, and recording in a professional video studio with a green screen. What you choose depends on the purpose for your video. Regardless of what equipment you choose to record with, it is important to remember what to do before you start recording, in order to get the best possible result. Find more information and advice under What.

Writing script for video

Writing a good script for video is an art in itself. But take this as a starting point: concentrate on the most important, keep it short, be clear and unambiguous. The next steps help you to write a script.

• Purpose and target group. See to it that you know what you want to say, and why, to whom. What is the best way to say what you have to say to your specific viewers?
• Dramaturgy. Your video should have a beginning, a middle part, and an end. You might want to write down a content structure for your video, however short it may be, to enable you to clearly see the dramaturgical structure.
• Keep it short. Use short sentences without subordinate clauses. Now and again you can insert a longer sentence, though, for variation and tempo. Include what is most important and skip everything superfluous.
• Use plain language. According to The International Plain Language Federation "A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended readers can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information."  However, simplifying everything you want to say may result in your viewers feeling patronised, so it is important to find the right level for your target group. Use difficult or abstract terms sparingly and only when necessary and of importance. In a video, it works better to use language resembling spoken or colloquial language rather than literary or written language. 
• Use the present tense as much as possible.
• Avoid the passive tense, as it can often be unclear and ambiguous.
• Rehearse beforehand! To try if your sentences flow easily, it is a good idea to read your text out loud to yourself or to someone else. It helps you to hear if and where you need to change or delete words, or split up a too long sentence into two shorter ones. By timing yourself while reading out loud, you get an indication of how long your video will be.
• Indicate slide change. Does your video have pictures in the background? Is your video based on a Powerpoint presentation? Do you want to come to our video studio to record your video? If so, it is a good idea to send us your Powerpoint presentation together with your script, and indicate in your script where you want a new slide to be shown. This helps us to edit your video 8post-production). We can also help you find adequate illustrations to show in the background.

Screen recording

A screen recording can be anything from a powerpoint presentation with a narrating voice to a word document you go through while commenting the text. It can be a picture you talk about, or instructions for how to use certain software or a website.

To make a screen recording you need:

• a computer
• a headset or USB-microphone
• a webcam (optional)
• a script
• software to record what happens on screen + your voice

Here in Canvas you find Studio, with which you can easily make screen recordings with or without webcam (i.e. with or without including yourself in the video).

Photo: Nicolette Karst CC 4.0 BY NC SA

Recording with your mobile phone or tablet

Most mobile phones today have a very good camera, resulting in recordings with fully acceptable quality. It is easy to record with your mobile phone, as it's almost always within reach. When you notice that your video clip is not what you had in mind or aimed for, it is easy to record a new one.

There are many recording apps for mobile devices. Some are made for recording video and do some basic editing, whereas others offer the possibility to record yourself as well as your screen, import still images, add graphics or music, and more.

In Canvas, you can directly upload what you recorded with your mobile device.

Studio recording

In the video studio at AHU. Photo: Nicolette Karst CC 4.0 BY NC SA

There are several video studios at Lund university. Contact your own educational development section for more information.

The Division for Educational Development (AHU) has a video studio where you can record yourself in front of a green screen, while you read your script from a teleprompter. If you come well-prepared, the recording session will not take long. The result is a video clip you can use on its own, or publish into your Canvas course.

Book a time in the video studio by mailing videostudio@ahu.lu.se. In your mail, describe what you need help with, so we can calculate the duration of your visit, and make adequate arrangements and preparations. Welcome!