This document summarizes an introductory session on creating media. It introduced students to video production, audio production, and screencasting. Students participated in hands-on activities to create short videos, audio recordings, and screencasts. The session aimed to provide basic skills for creating media modules and covered best practices for lighting, sound, and copyright considerations.

1. Introduction to Creative
Media
Understanding Law
LAW119 Feb 2012

2. In this session…
• Brief introductions to, and a chance to have a go at:
• Video production
• Audio production
• Screencasting
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

3. In this session…
• Aims of the session:
• To give you basic skills that will allow you to create media for
your module.
• To produce material to use in forthcoming editing session.
• Transferable skills.
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

4. Who we are
• Pete Mella
• Tom Foster
• Chris Clow
• Creative Media Team (CICS)
• Based in Skills Suite (Information Commons, Level 1)
• www.sheffield.ac.uk/cics/creativemedia
• creativemedia@sheffield.ac.uk
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

5. Activity
In groups of 4-5, discuss the following question:
“How many forms of media have you consumed in the
last week?”
List as many as you can come up with in two minutes.
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6. Video Still images
TV Photos
Streamed online Drawings/artwork
(YouTube, iPlayer, etc.) Audio
Film (TV, cinema, online) Radio
Screencasts Music (stereo, mp3
Text player, computer)
Newspaper/magazine Podcast
Book Multimedia
Online Websites
E-reader (e.g. Kindle). Video games
(computer, console, phone).
Phone Apps
CD:ROMs
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7. Is it hard to produce audio and
video material?
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8. Video
• “Video is the technology of electronically
capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, an
d reconstructing a sequence of still images representing
scenes in motion” (Wikipedia).
• Many means of delivery – e.g. TV, cinema, DVD/Blu
Ray, computer, web browser, mobile phone, tablet PC.
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9. Why use video?
• Tells a story.
• Engages the viewer, and brings the subject to life.
• “A picture is worth a thousand words”.
• It can be a quick way of describing or explaining
something.
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

10. Basic video techniques
An introduction to shot
sizes, composition, moving shots, light and
sound.

11. Lighting
• If you rely on available light, you may not get a
technically good shot.
• Make sure the camera white balance is adjusted for
natural or artificial light.
• If you don’t have lights, use a natural source, such as a
window, as your main light.
• Never back-light your subject.
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12. Sound
• Remember sound is just as important (and sometimes
more important!) than pictures.
• Consider using an external mic when needed.
• Remember to keep mic out of shot!
• Check the mic is working before shooting.
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

13. Practical task
The bit where you get to have a go!

14. Demonstration of equipment
• Handy video recorders
• Tripod
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

15. The task
• In your groups, make a short video about a talent or
skill or a piece of technology one of your group has
and can demonstrate.
• You have 15 minutes – spend 5 minutes planning.
• Take turns using the equipment.
• You must use at least three things you learnt from the
demonstration videos.
• If you get time, watch the video back on the cameras.
• You will get chance to edit this material in the next
session.
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

16. How did you find that?
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17. Audio
• “Audio is an electrical or other representation of sound.”
(Wikipedia).
• Many means of delivery – e.g. radio, CD, mp3
player, mobile phone.
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18. Podcasting
• “[...] A series of digital media files (either audio or video)
that are released episodically and often downloaded
through web syndication” (Wikipedia)
• Podcasts can be downloaded, and played on computers
or portable devices such as mp3 players, tablets or
mobile phones.
• Podcasts are often distributed by RSS feed.
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19. Why podcast?
• Can be used for mobile
learning, entertainment, alternative
media, blogging, publicity, tutorials…
• Portable media.
• Can be released in installments.
• Can be downloaded and listened to at listener’s leisure.
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

20. Things to remember
• External/onboard mic?
• Position of microphone.
• Background noise.
• Length (100 words per minute).
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

21. Practical task
The bit where you get to have a go (again!)

22. Demonstration of equipment
• Handy video recorders (switch to audio-only)
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

23. The task
• In your groups you will be given a random topic for a
short discussion (3 minutes).
• Record this discussion, thinking about where to place the
microphone.
• If there is time, play back some of this recording.
• There will be chance to edit this recording in the next
session.
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24. How did you find that?
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25. Ways of recording podcasts
• On your computer
• With software (e.g. Audacity).
• Via the internet (e.g. Audioboo).
• On an mp3 recorder
• On a mobile phone
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26. Screencasting
• “A digital recording of computer screen output, also
known as a video screen capture.” (Wikipedia)
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

27. Why screencast?
• A good way of recording lectures or seminars (e.g. with
PowerPoint) – slidecasting.
• Can enhance podcasts.
• Can demonstrate software or bug reports.
• Quick to produce.
• Can easily show something that may take many words to
explain.
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28. Ways of recording screencasts
• Commercial software (e.g.
Camtasia, Articulate, Captivate).
• Free software (e.g. Jing)
• Quicktime (Mac only)
• Online tools (e.g. Screenr, Screencast-o-matic)
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

29. Practical task
The bit where you get to have a go (again!)

30. Demonstration of Screenr
• Go to www.Screenr.com
• TASK – record a process on your computer screen using
Screenr (e.g. how to do a Google search, how to use the
Calculator).
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31. Copyright
• Any material you haven’t created yourself is subject to
copyright.
• The exceptions are:
• Anything you’ve been given permission to use.
• Public Domain
• Creative Commons
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

32. Creative Commons
• Creative Commons is not copyright-free, but the creators
give permission to be used.
• Different materials have different licenses given by their
creators:
• “0 license”
• Attribution
• Non-commercial
• No Derivative Work
• Share Alike
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

33. Sources of CC material
Music Images
• www.jamendo.com • www.flickr.com
• www.ccmixter.org (Advanced search – most images
are not CC).
Sound effects
• www.freesound.org
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

34. Summary
• Now you should have an idea…
• How to compose shots effectively
• Some common mistakes in video-making
• How to make a simple video
• What a podcast is and what they’re used for
• Some common mistakes in audio production
• How to record audio
• What a screencast is and what they’re used for
• Different methods used for screencasting
• How to use Screenr
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

35. Activity
In pairs, take turns to briefly answer the following question:
“What three things do you think you’ve learnt in this
session that will be most useful in your forthcoming
project?”
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

36. Is it hard to produce audio and
video material?
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

37. Any questions?
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield

38. Who we are
• Pete Mella
• Tom Foster
• Chris Clow
• Creative Media Team (CICS)
• Based in Skills Suite (Information Commons, Level 1)
• www.sheffield.ac.uk/cics/creativemedia
• creativemedia@sheffield.ac.uk
13/03/2012 © The University of Sheffield