Wikipedia:WikiProject Screencast/How-to
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There are many approaches to creating a screencast. You'll want to choose an approach that fits your topic, and your preferred work style. In some cases, you might record in a single-take, by just clicking "record" in a screencasting program, and start talking about a subject you know really well. In other cases, you'll want to do some careful thinking ahead of time, write a script, and prepare some visuals to support your demonstration.
Collaboration can work well for any aspect of the process.
Below is a basic outline that will apply to most screencasting projects; in the "Tutorials" section below that, you'll find more specific suggestions based on specific screencasting productions.
Screencast production tutorial
The basic workflow is as follows. Some steps are optional, but all are recommended!
- Script
- Practice
- Record
- Edit
- Process
- Publish
Script
Create an outline and script for the screencast, that you can follow as you record it or put the pieces together. (tip: do not record, speaking off the top of your head)
- Audience
Determine your target audience. Are you demonstrating basic information to new users, or showing advanced tools to experienced users.
- Writing
A script is important for many reasons. It helps to: avoid the danger of "um" and "uh", it makes later translation easier, and it gives the option of providing captions for the deaf (or people without speakers).
Keep your script focused on the key points that you want to teach, and try to avoid tangents.
See a sample script at Wikipedia:WikiProject Screencast/Intro.
Core components
Our suggested style includes these elements:
- Title card.
- a few words to summarize the topic, held for 2 seconds without audio.
- The screencast
- 1-5 minutes, depending on which audience, and what depth wanted.
- Wrap-up
- Summarize the points covered, to remind and reinforce.
- End credits
- Creators names, date, CC-licence, final shortcut-pointer
Practice
Practice your speech timing and mouse movements. Speech should be at a measured pace. The mouse cursor should move smoothly, and with purpose – avoid small twitches that move the mouse.
Pre-production
- Computer environment
Simplify the screen that will be recorded:
- Wiki-user - Close to default settings and interface-appearance. Either create a new user account, or simplify your user account preferences (gadgets, user.css, etc)
- Browser - Remove any extra toolbars, extensions, and add-ons, that are visible.
- OS - If recording the whole screen, close any unneeded programs
- Window size - Reduce the recorded area to 800x600. (To fit on smaller screens, to be visible at reduced sizes, and to avoid overwhelming real-estate)
- Physical environment
- Avoid noisy background
Record
Decide which programs you want to use. See our guide at WP:WikiProject Screencast/Software, for advice. Practice using the program for a few minutes, making a test recording or two.
Edit
If you're assembling a screencast from component pieces, this is the next step.
Process
Save the movie, and if necessary convert it to the destination format.
Converting files to .ogg or .ogv can be difficult. The methods that have worked best for us include: ...
Publish
Placement. Upload your video to commons (and/or youtube). Embed your video in the help or project page, and add it to our gallery.
Tutorials
(Insert links to more specific approaches)
Tips
Simplify. Don't try to address too many points. Short is sweet, and memorable.
External general tips
Extended content
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