Video Recording Tips

Tips for Recording & Uploading a MassURC Video Presentation

MassURC presenter videos will premiere a few days before the day of the conference in order to give attendees time to view them asynchronously as part of the prerecorded conference activities. 

Before you dive into the technical aspects of recording and uploading your presentation, here are a few tips to consider.

  • Outline the content and envision how best to present the material. For example, you may choose to stand in front of the camera and record yourself speaking or record a PowerPoint while you narrate the information.
  • Take time to prepare what you want and need to say, decide on the recording format that works best for you, then create a guiding script (try to avoid reading your script word-for-word).
  • While there is a twelve-minute recording limit, you may determine that you need less time to cover your research content while keeping your viewers engaged. Some best practices encourage presenters to stay within a six-to-eight minutes range, but you know your research best.
  • We encourage you to work with your faculty sponsor as you develop your presentation for feedback and recommendations.
  • Help your viewer have a broad understanding of your research topic and have an example or two that demonstrate your findings.  

Below is more information to consider while recording and uploading your presentation videos.

Organizing Your Content

Before you get started with recording, it is important to map out the contents of your presentation. Here are some ideas to consider:

  • While you have been deeply immersed in a topic of interest, you only have limited time to share all that you learned. This is a summary, so think about the main points you want to cover. What is the big picture? What are the most important discoveries you made?
  • As you consider your audience, think about how you can discuss your research so that someone who may not have the depth of knowledge with the topic as you could understand ways you can describe your research with someone who may not have as much knowledge about your field of study so that it will allow your audience to widen.
  • It may be helpful to use this as a guide as you build out your content:
    • Introduce yourself
    • Present your research topic and why it is important or of interest
    • Describe how you conducted your research (scientific/statistical research OR describe the history and background and your approach to analysis or guiding theories (humanities and creative studies)
    • Explain what you discovered and what it means or why there is a value in knowing
    • Provide a summary of your main points
    • Acknowledge your faculty sponsor and any other supporters or sources inspirations for your research.

Setting Up

Consider Sound

  • Record in a quiet environment. A mic often picks up background sounds that you might not notice while recording.
  • If recording outside, be mindful of noises, such as traffic, that can be distracting or make your voice difficult to hear clearly.

Consider Lighting and Background

  • Select an uncluttered background with no distracting patterns - DO NOT film with your back against a blank wall
  • Record in a well-lit location with as few shadows as possible
  • Be careful not to film with a reflective surface in the background of your shot
  • Do not use a virtual background, as often seen on Zoom

Your Camera Set-up

  • If you are filming in traditional oral presentation style, set your camera to capture a medium close-up shot (head and chest are visible)
  • It is critical that your camera is stable. If using a video camera or mobile phone, you should use a tripod or other item to prop the recording device to assure stability. Or have someone with a steady hand record you.
  • Whatever device you use, you must record in landscape mode.

If you are using a mobile device:

  • Use the rear camera. It is of better quality, has a higher resolution, and offers more features within the app. It provides better results.
  • Consider adding a grid, which lets you use your background as a point of reference to ensure that your recording is always straight. Most devices have this option, available via a setting you may need to enable within your camera app.
  • Most mobile devices have auto-detection for exposure and focus, but it’s good to test for the best quality. You may want to manually lock exposure and focus on you as the “subject.”
  • Try searching for video recording tips for your specific device on YouTube, as each device has its own perks and features.

Recording

  • Do a test of your recording in preparation for the final recording.
  • Be patient, invest time. You may also find that you need to record several times to arrive at a satisfactory final recording.

Recording and Saving a Video on PowerPoint

  • When you open your PowerPoint slide deck, click the Slide Show tab and select Record Slide Show.
  • Use the buttons in the bottom right-hand corner to turn on your microphone and video.
    • If you choose to turn on your video, your image will appear in the bottom corner of your presentation.
  • You can record either an audio clip or a video clip using the red RECORD button in the top left. After you record the clip, use the REPLAY button to listen to/watch your recording. If you are satisfied, advance to the next slide. If you wish to re-record, click CLEAR in the top left-hand corner and start over. Once you finish recording all your slides, return to the main editing screen. Select File > Export > Create a Video to save your video.
    • Tip: Select “Use Recorded Timelines and Narrations” from the dropdown menu.
  • For a more comprehensive tutorial, click here.

General Uploading Tips

Since you are required to provide a URL to your video presentation for conference attendees to view, you must upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo.

Uploading to YouTube & Vimeo

  1. Create or log into your account. If you have a Google account, you also have a YouTube account.
  2. Upload your video presentation file from your mobile device or computer.
  3. When selecting the privacy setting, you must either select “Public” or “Unlisted” for it to be shareable with conference attendees. (Note: For Vimeo, you must have a PLUS account to use the “Unlisted” option.)