Videography Tips & Tricks - Dozuki Workshop Series

cait@dozuki.com | @CaitEmmaSmith
Director of Outreach
Dozuki
Cait Emma Smith

andrew@ifixit.com | 805.464.0573
Lead Technical Writer
iFixit
Andrew Goldberg

Gwendolyn Gay
Video Hostess and Writer
iFixit
gwendolyn@ifixit.com | @GwendolynGay

Videography Tips and Tricks:
A Technical Writer’s Crash Course

• The Why: Videos In Guides
• Story Boarding: Where Does It Go?
• Effective Videos vs Detrimental Videos
• Co-Directing With Co-Workers
• The Equipment You Need—And Don’t Need
Workshop Roadmap
Videography Tips and Tricks: A Technical Writer’s Crash Couse
• The Successful Set Up
• Get With The Picture
• Andrew and Gwendolyn’s Take Aways
• Questions

The Why: Videos In Guides

People are drawn to instructional videos. They
mimic that one-on-one, expert/apprentice
relationship that we all crave when learning
something for the first time.

–Johnny Appleseed
“Type a quote here.”

Storyboarding

Use an in-step video when a process or procedure is too
complex to show in pictures.

1. Use videos to supplement your photos.

• Fill out your guide with photos—then add videos for greater
detail and elaboration.
• You can use the Dozuki guide to storyboard itself. Fill in text as
you develop the procedure, and photos as you take them.
• Ensure that your procedure is clear and comprehensive.

2. Be comprehensive.

• Don’t assume that your users are doing anything you haven’t shown
or told them to do. Even removing a piece of tape off-camera can be
confusing, when your device suddenly looks different from the user’s.

Effective Videos vs Detrimental Videos

{Effective Video}

Keep it direct.
• Each video should be focused on a single process or
procedure.
• Users shouldn’t have to pause and replay to review
your videos over and over again.

Keep it short. But not too short.
• Limit in-step videos to 30 seconds.
• Any longer and you might consider two separate
video steps.

Use your words.
• Remember that video steps are accompanied by text, just
like photo steps.
• Your text and video should be able to stand on their own—
and be able to fully describe the process without the other.

Co-Directing with Co-Workers

Friends don’t let friends film steps alone.

1. Alone, you create extra work for yourself.
2. Trust the experts. Ask the people who know the procedure best.
3. When you’re recording and directing, be the boss.*
4. When you’re the star, be the voice of reason.*

When your recording and directing, be the boss.
Your filming subject can’t see what they look like in the viewfinder. It’s your
job to tell them when things look good and bad—and how to make the video
as clear as possible.

When you’re the star, be the voice of reason.
You’re the one with your hands in the action, so it’s your job to check on
the procedure. When things don’t make sense or feel out of order, speak up
and try something different.

The Equipment You Need—And Don’t Need

Cameras and Smartphones

Lights and Flashlights

The Successful Set Up

Lighting
In the studio:
You get to control a lot more variables in a studio, and maintain
consistent lighting independent of the time or day or weather.
In the field:
You may need to bring extra lighting—battery powered LED lights or a
few lightweight plug-in fixtures can make a huge difference.

–Johnny Appleseed

Tripod
In the studio and in the field:
Tripods are essential for both in an out of studio filming. Shaky
footage is unprofessional and distracting. And at worst can make a
video impossible to follow and ruin the shoot.

Get With The Picture

1. “Focus” on what matters

2. Aim for first-person perspective

3. Always be open

Andrew and Gwendolyn’s
Videography Take Aways

Questions

• www.dozuki.com/answers/art
• Dozuki’s The Tech Writing Handbook
• www.iFixit.com
Additional Resources:

• Taking Professional Photos with Miro Djuric
• 45 Minutes to Better Writing with Julia Bluff
Related DWS Episodes:

cait@dozuki.com
@CaitEmmaSmith
Director of Outreach
Dozuki
Cait Emma Smith
andrew@ifixit.com
805.464.0573
Lead Technical Writer
iFixit
Andrew Goldberg Gwendolyn Gay
Video Hostess and Writer
iFixit
gwendolyn@ifixit.com
@GwendolynGay

Videography Tips & Tricks - Dozuki Workshop Series

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