- Good morning.
Today we're going to talk about
my 8 Don'ts for Making Engaging Flipping Videos.
- Hey guys.
- Hey Bo.
- Hi Bo.
♫ Flipping Physics ♫
- My first don't is don't use your built in microphone.
This is what it sounds like
when I use the built in microphone on my camera
and this is what it sounds like
when I use my external microphones.
Clearly it sounds much better.
Paul Anderson of Bozeman Biology
uses the Samson Go Mic Compact USB Microphone.
It's about $40 and definitely worth the investment.
- The quality of the audio actually makes a big difference.
- I actually agree.
We aren't always necessarily looking at the screen,
but we are always listening to the video.
- Don't ignore audio levels.
Before you start recording, set the audio level.
On your audio level meter,
generally there is a line above which
you do not want the audio to go.
That is usually at 0 Decibels
and if it does go above there,
then the indicator will turn red.
So if the audio is too high, like this,
the sound will be distorted
and your indicator will be red.
If the sound is too low, like this,
then the signal to noise ratio of the audio
will be quite high
and there will be a large hiss in the background,
which is annoying.
So please, before you start recording,
set your audio levels
such that the audio never quite reaches
0 Decibels and the indicator does not turn red.
Don't be just a Talking Head.
I know when you're doing picture-in-picture
you are restricted by the little screen.
However, there are still things you can do.
You can, for example, hold up the microphone
when you're talking about mic levels.
You can point to various parts of your presentation.
You can even leave the little video rectangle
and search for something.
Sometimes what you can't see
is more interesting than what you can.
Don't have mu-mu-multiple-ple cuts
in the middle of a sentence
because it can be very distracting.
- No, wait, what?
- You should be able to say at least full sentences
before you trim the video.
- Sure, that makes sense.
I should be able to do that.
Yeah.
- Don't overuse transitions and effects.
I know you're probably trying to make your videos
more interesting and it seems pretty cool
to add that fancy transition and that fancy effect,
but in the end, they just distract from the learning.
Certainly, you can use transitions when they make sense.
For example, when you're moving from one item
on the don'ts list to the next.
- Don't go on at length without any visual change.
I know as teachers we can get really excited
about our subject matter
and we can talk for a really long time
and we are very excited.
I know we are.
But that doesn't translate very well to the screen.
You need to add text at intervals to the screen
to keep your students visually engaged.
Let's actually watch that one more time
only this time I'm gonna add text to the screen.
Don't go on at length without any visual change.
I know as teachers we can get really excited
about our subject matter
and we can talk for a really long time
and we are very excited.
I know we are.
But that doesn't translate very well to the screen.
You need to add text at intervals to the screen
to keep your students visually engaged.
Let's actually watch that one more time
only this time I'm gonna add text to the screen.
Actually, you know what?
Let's go outside instead.
Don't film outside.
Not if you want to hear what's being said
because in addition to all the background noises,
because of the wind, in order to have quality audio
you need a professional level microphone
like this one with a dead cat wind screen,
just because otherwise you're just gonna hear the wind.
Is that really a dead cat?
I guess it just looks like one.
So please don't film outside.
Let's go back inside.
Lastly, I know it is tempting
because it does seem to spice up your videos,
but please do not have continuous background music.
Really, Bo? Again?
- Eh, I thought that maybe you would like it this time.
- Again Bo, it's not that we don't like it.
- It's just distracting.
- And generally, background music gets repetitive
and irritating.
This is not a feature length film.
To review,
don't use your built in microphone
Don't ignore audio levels.
Don't be just a talking head.
Don't cut the video mid-sentence.
Don't overuse transitions and effects.
Don't go on at length without any visual change.
Don't film outside
and don't have continuous background music.
Those are my 8 Don'ts
for Making Engaging Flipping Videos.
I also have two other videos
about making engaging flipping videos,
The Basics of and my list of 9 "Dos,"
which you're more than welcome to enjoy as well.
Thank you very much for learning with me today.
I enjoyed learning with you.