Wikipedia:WikiProject Screencast/How-to
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Template:Screencast script ready 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. Or the work can be done in 20 minutes by one person!
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
Template:Screencast script ready 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; a script helps avoid having "um" and "uh" throughout the screencast)
Template:Screencast script ready
- 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 (1-6 points max)
- Be concise
- Try to avoid tangents.
- Use conversational style
See a sample script at Wikipedia:WikiProject Screencast/Intro.
Storyboard
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- Identify images, screenshots, and other material to include, whether as slides or as running video (tip: if uploading the screencast to Wikimedia Commons, keep in mind the free licensing requirements)
- Organize visuals into the storyboard and align with the script
- If using a narrated slidecast format, include headings and subheadings (they may also be appropriate for screencasting)
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 itself
- 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 (example slide needed here), final shortcut-pointer.
 | Tip: 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
Template:Screencast script ready
- Computer environment
Simplify the screen that will be recorded, ideally starting with a clean slate.
- 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. If using Firefox, setup a separate user profile, which has default settings, no add-ons, etc. [1]. (same can be done in other browsers)
- OS - Close any unneeded programs, especially any that might make any noises or eat up excessive memory.
- Window size - Reduce the recorded area to 800x600 (to fit just this image). (To fit on smaller screens, to be visible at reduced sizes, and to avoid overwhelming real-estate)
- Physical environment
- Choose a quiet place to do the screencast
- Silence your telephone and anything else that might interrupt
Record
Template:Screencast script ready Template:Screencast script ready
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.
Experiment with the settings, to find configuration with not so much compression that the video is fuzzy, but not too high quality that the file size is excessively large.
Edit
If you're assembling a screencast from component pieces, this is the next step.
Process
Template:Screencast script ready
- Save the movie, and if necessary convert it to the destination format. (Note: For upload to Wikimedia Commons, the video needs to be in Ogg Theora (.ogv) format.)
- Watch the video, from end-to-end, checking for any quality issues.
Publish
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Placement. Upload your video to commons (and/or youtube). Embed your video in the help or project page, and add it to our gallery.
Advanced options
Template:Screencast script ready (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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