The navigation menu is separated into four pages:
- Student Guide to Video Assignments
- Recording your video
- Submitting your video to Learn
- Video Resources
Within each of these pages are sections with information (side menu), links and top tips on all the key points you need to think about when creating videos for assessment. You can click on "Top" (found in each sections) to go to the top of the current page.
If you are viewing this guide on a smaller device, you may only see the burger menu in the header. Click on the burger menu to see the other pages in this guide. Alternatively, if you would like to view this guide full screen on your device click on Student video assessment guide (full screen).
Using Generative AI (such as Chat GPT)
A further information and help page has been added to this resource. This includes university guidance on the use of Generative AI (such as Chat GPT).
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There are four basic storyboard elements that you need to think about once you read the video assignment brief:
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Scenes
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How will you tell your story in each scene through audio, video, images,text?
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Description
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Provide details for all the elements that will be used in your video.
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Write a script using a conversational tone to add structure.
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Multimedia
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Make sure you use good quality images.
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Will there be a combination of video and still images?
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Audio
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Record audio in small chunks for easy editing.
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Always test audio to ensure consistent quality.
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Use these basic elements to design your storyboard on paper, in MS Word, Ms PowerPoint or an online storyboard tool. What you may find with some online storyboard tools is the free version will limit options and/or functionality. For group video storyboards, each member could create an account and storyboard different scenes. You could then merge the different storyboards e.g. if the output was a PDF file, use a free combine/merge online tool.
Useful Resources
Online storyboard tool - Plot
Online storyboard tool - Canva
Online storyboard tool - MakeStoryboard
Top Tip
- Look at examples of different styles of video for inspiration, see the Video Resources section in this guide.
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- Be aware of any copyright implications
- Consider whether you may wish to use the video in a wider context later – e.g. to market yourself, for CV purposes or to display to public audiences (YouTube, Vimeo, etc)
The law around using other’s video clips within an educational or documentary video states that in these circumstances, there is a policy of “fair use”. This means that it is still possible to use clips to make an educational point or as part of a review or critique – however….it is far from definitive. If, for example, you used a short clip from CNN or Sky news of an interview and used this to evidence an argument that you are making as part of your video documentary or essay, then that could be considered “fair use” – however you should only use the very minimum footage needed to make your point. In addition you should ALWAYS accurately reference any clips you have used. Conversely if you add someone else’s video footage because “it looks good” or “is funny”, without it being relevant to the key educational points of your video then you’re without doubt breaking copyright law. This is true too of music - even though you might find it available on the internet, you cannot use someone else’s copyrighted music as a soundtrack for your own video.
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Creative Commons Licenses by Fotor (CC-BY-SA)
PIXABAY - https://pixabay.com/
PEXELS - https://www.pexels.com/
UNSPLASH - https://unsplash.com/search/photos/
FLICKR - https://www.flickr.com/commons/usage/
ISO REPUBLIC - http://isorepublic.com/
1 MILLION FREE PICTURES - http://www.1millionfreepictures.com/
REALISTIC SHOTS - http://realisticshots.com/
DESIGNER PICS - http://www.designerspics.com/
]]>The following resources (even although directed at an American audience) highlights some of the main considerations for filmmakers when it comes to copyright – the law is broadly the same in the UK:
https://blog.frame.io/2017/08/30/copyrights-and-fair-use-for-filmmakers/
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Top Tips
- Close all other applications when recording your screen to avoid notifications popping up.
- Switch off your mobile phone when filming.
- Don't record facing the sun, as this will create a silhouette effect on your subject matter.
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Whilst you are free to use any software for your video assignments, we can only offer support for the software provided by the University.
The tabs below provide more information on the range of software you can use to create and edit videos:
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Remember, video editing can be time consuming, so don't leave it to the last minute.
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Some examples of desktop based tools:
•PowerPoint - tutorials , Record a presentation
•Microsoft Photos - tutorial 1 , tutorial 2
•Imovie - tutorials
•Shotcut** - tutorials (installed on campus but it is open source, so can be downloaded)
Filmora9 - https://filmora.wondershare.com/video-editor/
Davinci Resolve 16 - https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/uk/products/davinciresolve/
VSDC Free Video Editor - http://www.videosoftdev.com/free-video-editor
ClipChamp - https://clipchamp.com/en/
Movavi OpenShot - https://www.movavi.com/videoeditor/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIusfIiObB6AIVmpntCh2iqwBrEAAYAiAAEgIKIvD_BwE
Business School Software
** Shotcut is installed on all Business School Computer Lab pc's including the Hub (PG only). You can also download this software for free onto your laptop or pc.
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Examples of cloud based video tools:
- WeVideo
- Screencast-O-Matic (screen recording)
- Videoscribe
- Biteable
Note: Although not a video tool in the same way as the above example, MS PowerPoint (Office 365) can be used to convert a presentation into a video, see the following website for details: Ms PowerPoint (Office 365)
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Examples of mobile video editing apps:
FilmoraGo (Android, iOS) - tutorials ,
KineMaster - tutorials
Useful Resources
UoE Central Library - Available Equipment & Booking Information
Mobile Devices - DIY Film School Online Course
iMovie for iOS Essential Training (Lynda.com)
Top Tip
- Shoot your video horizontally when using a mobile device.
- Always check audio levels. Consider using a usb microphone.
Don't leave booking equipment to the last minute, plan ahead to avoid disappointment.
Note: If you haven't used any of the AV equipment before you can book a familiarisation session via the Help and Support section within the AV Loans system (see AV Loans How To Guide For Users for details ).
The tabs below provide more information on the range of equipment you can use to create videos:
]]>- Camcorder, DSLR Cameras, Tripods, Camera lighting kits,
- Microphones (various), Audio recorders, Speakers,
- Projectors, Projection screens, Projector stands
- Graphic tablets, Portable PA systems, Laptops (Win or Mac)
Top Tips
- Always book out a tripod and external microphone with a camcorder to ensure a steady shot and good audio.
Please contact learningspacestechnology@ed.ac.uk for further information
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Top Tip
- Use an external microphone instead of the inbuild mic in your laptop for better quality.
Inexpensive headsets with microphone, usb microphone or a voice recorder app on a mobile device can all give you a good quality audio recording.
Top Tips
- Record audio in chunks
- Always perform an audio test
Useful Links
Audacity - record and edit audio.
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Top Tip
- Make sure your mobile device is fully charged before recording video or audio.
- Record with your phone in a horizontal position.
Useful Links
FilmoraGo (Android, iOS)
VivaVideo (Android)
KineMaster (Android, iOS)
How to use the ShoulderPod-X1 kit for mobile phones (walk-through video)
]]>- Use common file formats for audio: (.mp3), images (.jpg or.png),video (.mp4). Be aware .MOV files from IOS devices are large and can significantly increase the time it takes to upload your video.
- If you do use a camcorder and the file is large, you can use tools like Handbrake which is free, to compress the size of your video without compromising on the quality. There are videos on YoutTube on how to do this.
- If your video mainly consists of still images, make sure you use .jpg or png. (if using transparent images) . The two websites listed below under Useful Resources can compress your images without compromising on the quality.
- Altering the video dimensions, frame rate can also help keep down the overall size of your finished video.
Useful Resources
]]>If you are creating a group video assignment, it's good practice to add credits to indicate who was responsible for what sections. Some students have been creative with this in the past, borrowing professional film job titles e.g. Music composer, Editors, Director of Photography, Writers etc. Alternatively, you can keep it simple by listing the members of your group and their role.
Adding the credits to your video doesn't have to be complicated, it can be a PowerPoint slide with text saved as an image and imported into your video editing software. It's probably best to avoid the Star Wars scrolling credits effect.
Referencing
The Cite them right online guide subscribed to by the University Library provides a comprehensive guide to the Harvard style.
Use the drop-down menus to select the source type to find out how to reference using the Harvard style.
Note: You may want to check with your Course Organiser if credits and referencing is to be included video assignment or listed as a separate file.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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