Comments on: Adding the Human Element in Screencasts http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/08/adding-the-human-element-in-screencasts/ The Latest Trends in Technical Communication Sun, 27 May 2012 07:07:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Tom Johnson http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/08/adding-the-human-element-in-screencasts/comment-page-1/#comment-147233 Tom Johnson Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:19:36 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=5308#comment-147233 Scott, I almost bought a Kodak Zi8 this last weekend, but at the last minute realized that it records into mov or mp4 format or something, and this is problematic if you are working in Camtasia Studio and importing the content to add as a PIP track. I think Camtasia requires either an AVI or WMV file type to be added there, so while these pocket camcorders are easy, I’d have to convert the file to another type. Scott, I almost bought a Kodak Zi8 this last weekend, but at the last minute realized that it records into mov or mp4 format or something, and this is problematic if you are working in Camtasia Studio and importing the content to add as a PIP track. I think Camtasia requires either an AVI or WMV file type to be added there, so while these pocket camcorders are easy, I’d have to convert the file to another type.

]]> By: Scott Skibell http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/08/adding-the-human-element-in-screencasts/comment-page-1/#comment-147089 Scott Skibell Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:54:02 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=5308#comment-147089 Brooks, This is a great example. I personally thought the Flip video looked better than the HD camera. It had richer, more vivid colors, imho. And lets not forget, if the web is our primary means of distribution, is true HD overkill at a 640x360 resolution. Even if you bump it higher, your file size will get so large that it can lag. Even YouTube HD's can lag. So if we're playing with size & performance issues, expensive camera's may not be necessary. This makes me think though. What made the video wasn't the camera. It was the cinematography. He captured wide, tight, and interview shots. In other words, he had lots of b-roll footage. This is a great lesson for all of us because it was the b-roll of her doing the moves that really kept it interesting. His audio setup was interesting too. It looked like he was recording his audio with an ipod and external mic. I assume this could be done with a Zoom voice recorder too though. This makes me want to try the Kodak Zi8 w/a wired lapel mic even more. Oh, and one other piece of equipment to add might be a steadycam or tripod. Don't try holding these types of cameras in your hands or we'll all end up with motion sickness. Brooks, thanks for sharing. That was an awesome piece. Brooks,

This is a great example. I personally thought the Flip video looked better than the HD camera. It had richer, more vivid colors, imho.

And lets not forget, if the web is our primary means of distribution, is true HD overkill at a 640×360 resolution. Even if you bump it higher, your file size will get so large that it can lag. Even YouTube HD’s can lag. So if we’re playing with size & performance issues, expensive camera’s may not be necessary.

This makes me think though. What made the video wasn’t the camera. It was the cinematography. He captured wide, tight, and interview shots. In other words, he had lots of b-roll footage. This is a great lesson for all of us because it was the b-roll of her doing the moves that really kept it interesting.

His audio setup was interesting too. It looked like he was recording his audio with an ipod and external mic. I assume this could be done with a Zoom voice recorder too though.

This makes me want to try the Kodak Zi8 w/a wired lapel mic even more.

Oh, and one other piece of equipment to add might be a steadycam or tripod. Don’t try holding these types of cameras in your hands or we’ll all end up with motion sickness.

Brooks, thanks for sharing. That was an awesome piece.

]]> By: Brooks Andrus http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/08/adding-the-human-element-in-screencasts/comment-page-1/#comment-147088 Brooks Andrus Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:52:23 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=5308#comment-147088 Flip has some limitations, but mostly it comes down to who is behind the camera: http://northern-banana-republic.com/?p=13 This guys composition skills behind the lens are rock solid--lots for us all to learn. Flip has some limitations, but mostly it comes down to who is behind the camera:

http://northern-banana-republic.com/?p=13

This guys composition skills behind the lens are rock solid–lots for us all to learn.

]]> By: Harry Miller http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/08/adding-the-human-element-in-screencasts/comment-page-1/#comment-147069 Harry Miller Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:07:36 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=5308#comment-147069 It's really quite easy to line up audio that you record externally on your Zoom H4 with audio you get in the camera. Then you just delete the in-camera audio track and you have the nicely recorded track instead. Really, a couple of minutes of close-up visual track alignment and listening to the match, and you're done. The big question is how do you get the mic as close to your mouth as possible without it being in the shot? If you don't have a lapel mic, you can get creative and hide it behind a prop beside you, or put it on a mic stand just out of the frame, or whatever you can think of. It’s really quite easy to line up audio that you record externally on your Zoom H4 with audio you get in the camera. Then you just delete the in-camera audio track and you have the nicely recorded track instead. Really, a couple of minutes of close-up visual track alignment and listening to the match, and you’re done.

The big question is how do you get the mic as close to your mouth as possible without it being in the shot? If you don’t have a lapel mic, you can get creative and hide it behind a prop beside you, or put it on a mic stand just out of the frame, or whatever you can think of.

]]> By: Scott Skibell http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/08/adding-the-human-element-in-screencasts/comment-page-1/#comment-147068 Scott Skibell Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:04:48 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=5308#comment-147068 Tom, Yeah, the Zi8 has a jack for an external microphone. Check it out on Amazon. There's even a picture with an external Sony mic plugged into the side. The first reviewer mentions he uses a lapel mic with his too. If nothing else, for $150 it's worth testing out. You can always return it to Amazon and just be out the shipping. Tom,

Yeah, the Zi8 has a jack for an external microphone. Check it out on Amazon. There’s even a picture with an external Sony mic plugged into the side.

The first reviewer mentions he uses a lapel mic with his too.

If nothing else, for $150 it’s worth testing out. You can always return it to Amazon and just be out the shipping.

]]> By: Tom Johnson http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/08/adding-the-human-element-in-screencasts/comment-page-1/#comment-147066 Tom Johnson Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:51:40 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=5308#comment-147066 I actually have a sony handycam that is about 9 years old. It works all right, but the transfer of video via firewire rather than usb is a pain. I actually have a sony handycam that is about 9 years old. It works all right, but the transfer of video via firewire rather than usb is a pain.

]]> By: Tom Johnson http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/08/adding-the-human-element-in-screencasts/comment-page-1/#comment-147065 Tom Johnson Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:50:36 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=5308#comment-147065 Maeve, if you're on a Mac, why don't you use Final Cut Pro? I think that's preferred over After Effects. But I admit, I've only dabbled with After Effects for about an hour, and never explored Final Cut Pro. Maeve, if you’re on a Mac, why don’t you use Final Cut Pro? I think that’s preferred over After Effects. But I admit, I’ve only dabbled with After Effects for about an hour, and never explored Final Cut Pro.

]]> By: Tom Johnson http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/08/adding-the-human-element-in-screencasts/comment-page-1/#comment-147064 Tom Johnson Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:48:23 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=5308#comment-147064 Scott, I checked out the Zi8. From the online pictures, I couldn't tell if it accepted a microphone jack, so I live-chatted the clerk and asked. She said, "Hi Tom, sorry for the long wait, in reference to the Kodak EasyShare Zi8 Pocket Video Camera, it has a built in microphone as for the plug for an external mic, there is none." Are you sure you can plug a mic into it? Scott, I checked out the Zi8. From the online pictures, I couldn’t tell if it accepted a microphone jack, so I live-chatted the clerk and asked. She said,

“Hi Tom, sorry for the long wait, in reference to the Kodak EasyShare Zi8 Pocket Video Camera, it has a built in microphone as for the plug for an external mic, there is none.”

Are you sure you can plug a mic into it?

]]> By: Maeve Maguire http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/08/adding-the-human-element-in-screencasts/comment-page-1/#comment-147061 Maeve Maguire Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:15:36 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=5308#comment-147061 Great discussion guys. If I'm going to add face time to my screencasts I'll have to join Toastmasters or something to help me out of my comfortable technical writing shell. That said, Brooks's screencasts are so intriguing that even though I don't use After Effects, I've watched every one! I use Camtasia Studio for my screencasts but tried using Camtasia:mac to add an intro, interesting angles, better transitions, etc. In the end, it wasn't worth my time because it was so limiting (though from what I've read they are working on it). Is After Effects the best option for adding a professional finish? Great discussion guys. If I’m going to add face time to my screencasts I’ll have to join Toastmasters or something to help me out of my comfortable technical writing shell. That said, Brooks’s screencasts are so intriguing that even though I don’t use After Effects, I’ve watched every one!

I use Camtasia Studio for my screencasts but tried using Camtasia:mac to add an intro, interesting angles, better transitions, etc. In the end, it wasn’t worth my time because it was so limiting (though from what I’ve read they are working on it). Is After Effects the best option for adding a professional finish?

]]> By: Scott Skibell http://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/08/adding-the-human-element-in-screencasts/comment-page-1/#comment-147058 Scott Skibell Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:13:07 +0000 http://www.idratherbewriting.com/?p=5308#comment-147058 I agree with Brooks, keep the feedback coming. It's the only way we'll get better. As for camera's, you might want to consider the Kodak Zi8. It's like the Flip in the fact that it's a pocket camcorder. It shoots 16:9 HD video AND it has a Mic-in jack. I'm happy with my old Zi6 and prefer it over my Mino HD because the onboard mic is better. But I'm thinking of selling both to get the Zi8. All of these cameras require excellent lighting though. So if you're shooting in low light areas and can't bring in external lights, you might be disappointed. I agree with Brooks, keep the feedback coming. It’s the only way we’ll get better.

As for camera’s, you might want to consider the Kodak Zi8. It’s like the Flip in the fact that it’s a pocket camcorder. It shoots 16:9 HD video AND it has a Mic-in jack.

I’m happy with my old Zi6 and prefer it over my Mino HD because the onboard mic is better. But I’m thinking of selling both to get the Zi8.

All of these cameras require excellent lighting though. So if you’re shooting in low light areas and can’t bring in external lights, you might be disappointed.

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