Image 4.8
Source: iStock
Description: A photograph of a video camera with a microphone on a tripod from behind the camera in the photographer’s point of view. The camera is looking at two people in the background standing at a table; they are blurry.
Producing videos and podcasts is now common practice in post-secondary coursework, in the workplace, and as a way to showcase professional skills and personal branding. The following sections highlight strategies and tools to support you in video and podcast production.
Video Production
A video is a visual representation of information, typically consisting of a series of moving images accompanied by sound. Creating a video project can seem daunting at first because it combines all of the elements of visual design and sound design, along with the unique challenges of video. However, getting started on a video project can actually be a surprisingly straightforward and effective way to communicate an idea, tell a story, or show off your work. As a post-secondary learner, you might be given the option to create a video for an assignment. Or you may choose to create a video to build your brand, post on social media, or add to your professional portfolio (Greene & Mackie, 2022).
There are three major phases as you create your video:
Image 4.9
Source: eCampus Ontario
Description: A video production timeline consisting of three main components. The first part of the timeline is Pre-production: All of the planning work that happens before you actually start recording. The second part of the timeline is Production: All recording (filming and audio) as well as gathering any assets you are not recording yourself (such as stock footage). The third part of the timeline is Post-production: Where the footage all comes together and is enhanced with video/audio editing to create the final product.
Your video may be live-action, animated, or a screencast. Regardless of the type of video, the first thing you’ll want to do is write a script. A script is a written outline of what you want to say in your video. It can also be used to describe in text what you want to have happening in your video, for example, images or text that will appear on screen. A script is a plan for your video and will save you a lot of time during filming and post-production (The Learning Portal, n.d.).
Watch this video to learn about scripting your video.
Video 4.5
Source: The Learning Portal / Le Portail d’Apprentissage. (2022, July 22). Creating a Script [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT6DFiPZrkw
Length: 3:38
There are many tools available to create, edit, and share professional-looking videos, often for free.
Podcast Production
A podcast is an episode or series of episodes made of audio voice recordings that someone can listen to either by streaming or downloading the episode. As a learner, you might be given the option to create a podcast or audio narration for an assignment. Creating podcasts can also help build your personal brand and become part of your professional portfolio.
There are many forms of podcasting, and you can mix up styles from episode to episode. Generally, the types fall into two categories: talking about a topic or telling a story. When discussing a topic, you could speak on your own, with a co-host, or with a guest. When telling a story, you could be telling a fiction or nonfiction story. You don’t have to create a series of podcasts – it’s perfectly fine to create a single piece (Greene & Mackie, 2022)!
Like video production, there are three main phases in creating a podcast:
Image 4.10
Source: eCampus Ontario
Description: A podcast production time, similar to a video production timeline. The first part is Pre-production: Planning the show. The second part is Production: Recording the voices. The third part is Post-production: Editing the voices and adding in other sounds.
Pauses are your best friend when editing. If you take a breath to psych yourself up for a line, take a 1 to 2 second pause. This will make removing the breath sound much easier later. If you mess up a line, take a pause, and redo that line. Continue as normal. Giving yourself the 1 to 2 seconds of silence makes your editing life much easier.
Read more about types of podcasts and podcast production (Greene & Mackie, 2022)!
Try It!
Create a video or podcast using the tips and tools you learned about in this section.
- Focus on a topic or course assignment of your choice.
- Get feedback on your creation from a few of your peers.
- Exchange tips for using digital creation tools with your peers.