The Instructional Media Studio in the Distance Education & Instructional Technology office is available to faculty to create multimedia for use in the classroom. We offer video and audio production services and can film either within our sound-optimized studio or on location.
The Instructional Media Studio was completed in early 2014. Its purpose is to provide instructors at Black River Technical College adequate space and equipment to produce quality media and digital learning objects for use in online, hybrid and technologically enhanced courses. The Instructional Technologist serves as the coordinator of the Instructional Media Studio.
The Equipment
Recording
Canon XA10 High Definition Camcorder
2x Shure SM7B Microphones
Sony UWP-V1 Lavaliere Microphone
Sennheiser ME66/K6 Shotgun Microphone
Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 USB Audio Interface
Blackmagic 4K Studio
Wacom Intuos Tablet
Apple iMac
Surface Pro Tablet
Stage
2x 750w tungsten lamps with diffusors
2x 500w incandescent lamps with diffusors
100w floor lamp
White background linen
Blue/Green Chroma-key background linen
Software
Final Cut Pro X
Motion 5
GarageBand
Sketchbook Express
Quicktime Pro
The Process
Audio and video production isn’t as simple as just hitting the record button; however, depending on the project, it typically isn’t too complicated of a process either. Before you book an appointment, please review the steps in the audio/video production process to ensure you are prepared. DEIT in conjunction with IA have created a document outlining the instructional and promotional video process.
After reviewing the process, the next step is to complete the Instructional & Promotional Video Request Form.
Project idea & scope
Obviously, before you decide you want to make an audio or video production, you need to know what you plan on doing. What are you trying to accomplish with your production? What are the learning goals for your students? What type of production would be best suited for your students to meet those goals? It’s also important to determine the purpose of the project and explore other productions that may already be freely available that would achieve the learning goals you have set forth. Then, determine what media you want in your production. The IMS provides you with the ability to record high definition video with either a camcorder or screencast, excellent microphones, and post-production software that can do some neat things. Think big, and if we can’t do it, the project can always be scaled down.
Another thing to consider is how long do you anticipate the production to be? Instructional designers and educational media experts recommend 3-5 minutes. I would encourage you to meet this goal, and certainly create nothing more than 10 minutes.
The Script
After you have developed your concept and established the scope, it is time to develop a script. If you want to create a video production, the department recommends developing a storyboard. A storyboard is a rough, visual representation of each scene in the video. For more information on storyboard, watch this video. If you decide to create a storyboard, here is a storyboard template you can print.
It is essential that you have a script ready (and proofread) before you come in to record. Having a script will save you time in recording and will save time for everyone in post-production! We do have a teleprompter, but you should be very familiar with your script. Email the script to one of the DEIT staff prior to the recording date.
If you need help with a script or storyboard, please consult the Instructional Technologist.
Production
The above steps are known as “pre-production”, so we are only now getting to the part where we hit the record button! Hopefully, with enough attention paid to the above steps, the production phase will go smoothly. In production, the equipment is set up (microphones, camera, lighting, etc.) in an attempt to get the best shot. If you are doing video, we will likely be getting multiple shots, even if there were error-free records already taken. This is a safeguard to ensure that good shots were indeed taken, and will serve as a source of variety or error-correction in post-production. Therefore, the production phase will likely take some time. Even if you are only planning on recording a few minutes, depending on the project, it could take from a half-day to over a couple of days of recording.
Post-production
After filming or recording, the video or audio is edited into a final product to be distributed. This is the phase where different types of media as well (B-roll, images, animations, etc.) can be added. Although this phase is the least amount of work for you, we do want your input as to the direction and feel you want for the production. After making a rough cut, the file will be sent to you via Google Drive, where you can view it and offer feedback. If you are satisfied, we can show you how to upload it to YouTube and embed the video in Moodle (if that is what you wish to do with it).
And that’s it! If you want to book an appointment, please contact the Distance Education and Instructional Technology Department through email or by phone. Remember, for video productions, we can go off-site, so you don’t have to film in our studio if you do not want (e.g. you work at the Paragould location or want to film outside).