The document discusses creating how-to videos for teachers to use a standalone test scoring machine, including deciding to attach basic documentation to the scanner and create a website with videos and printable guides. It recommends selecting video equipment like a Canon camera, Davis & Sanford tripod, PBL lighting kit, and Adobe editing software, and offers production tips like keeping videos short and simple while allowing time for scripting and multiple takes.

1. Producing Quality How-To Videos for
Social Media Publication
Part I: The Project
Hardware Goes High-Tech

2. The Product
• Standalone Test
Scoring Machine
– Scans Optical
Mark
Recognition
form used in
classrooms for
tests
– Does not need
to connect to a
computer

3. The Concept
• Audience analysis showed that
teachers:
– Like to learn more from people than from
reading
– Like to see a product or task overview,
then try it
– Often never get printed manuals (usually
lost or never delivered by IT)
– Are typically not at or near a computer
when scanning
– Prefer to print/refer to only targeted,
necessary portions of a manual, if they
do get one

4. The Project
• SO, we decided to attach basic doc to the scanner:
– Front panel
– Back pull-out panel
• AND include some pieces in the box:
– Poster
– What’s In the Box/Getting Started

5. The Project, continued
• AND we decided to create a web site that included video as
well as more traditional hypertext help, as well as a printable
PDF job aid for every major task
– Tools:
• MadCap Flare (WebHelp output)
• Adobe Elements/Premiere
• High-Def video camera
• Podcasting audio mixer & mic
• Studio w/ “live” office setup

6. The Decisions
• Along the way, we learned a LOT:
– Keep the videos short
– Find a good hand model early
– Plan on several takes for *both* audio & video
– Record audio separately
– Having a visually accurate and properly operating unit is a critical
dependency
– Get the best video editing software you can, and take the system
requirements for it seriously
– Allow plenty of time for script writing & review
– Live sets are cheaper/easier than green-screening
– Spend the $ on decent music
– Decide on an output size and video ratio and keep it consistent

7. Let’s look at it!

8. Producing Quality How-To Videos for
Social Media Publication
Part II: Video Operator’s Guide
Hardware Goes Shopping

9. Let’s Go Shopping!
• Video Camera w Storage Media
• Tripod
• Lighting
• AV Monitor
• Microphone/Headphones
• Editing Software
• Music
• Set
• Distribution

10. Video Camera w Storage Media
Canon VIXIA HFS100
•Takes SDHC memory
card
•1920X1080 full HD
recording
•HDMI cable out
•$1100

11. Tripod
Davis & Sanford
Provista with FM18
Head
•Smooth fluid head
•HEAVY duty
•Quick release mount
•Carrying bag
•$190

12. Lighting
PBL 4550 Watt Premium
Cinema Production Kit
•1000 Watt Softboxes
•650 Watt Overhead
Boom Softbox
•Barndoors, Gels,
Sandbags, and More
•$980

13. AV Monitor
Acer H233H 23 inch
Widescreen LCD
Monitor
•1920X1080 resolution
•HDMI input
•$200

14. Microphone/Headphones
Behringer PodcasStudio
USB
•XM8500 Microphone
•UCA200 Audio Interface
•XENYX 502 Mixer
•HPM1000 Headphones
•$130

15. Editing Software
Adobe Premiere
Elements 8
•$100 ($144 for ver. 9)
Audacity
•Free

16. Editing Software (Better)
Adobe Master Collection
•Premiere Pro, After
Effects, SoundBooth,
OnLocation, Encore, and
Photoshop, Illustrator,
InDesign, Acrobat, Flash,
Dreamweaver, Fireworks
•$2500

17. Music
FreePlayMusic.com
• Production Music
• $500
StudioCutz.com
• Royalty Free
• Best Corporate
Soundtracks of 2007
• Downloadable wav
and mp3
• $100

18. Set
Ravelli Background
Stand
• 3 backdrops
• 10X12’
• $170
Hand-me-down Office
Furniture
• Free!

19. Set - Backdrop

20. Set - Furniture

21. Distribution
YouTube
•Save to H264 1920X1080 HD resolution
•Rendering time: about 20 minutes
•Generated file size: about 400 MB
•YouTube upload time: about 20 minutes
•YouTube downloadable file size: about 20 MB
•Cost: Free!

22. Equipment Total
Video Camera w Storage Media $1,100
Tripod $190
Lighting $980
AV Monitor $200
Microphone/Headphones $130
Editing Software $100
Music $100
Set $170
Distribution Free
Total $2,970

23. Rules of Thumb
Keep it short
• Talk fast
• Squeeze out every unnecessary second
• Music helps if some scenes are lengthy
Keep it simple
Keep an eye on production time
• About 8 hours per minute
• We produced 42 minutes of video (taking 360
hours to do it)

24. Total cost for Video Operator’s Guide
• Time: (360 hours X $50 =) $18,000
• Equipment: $2,970
• Grand Total: $20,970

25. Let’s Try It
• Audio Recording
• Audio Editing
• Video Recording
• Video Editing