Video production: basic principles outlines guidelines for effective video production. It recommends preparing scripts or storyboards in advance and testing equipment setups. When recording, include all visual elements on screen and avoid post-production editing as much as possible. Record with cues like clappers or clicks that can help synchronize audio and video during editing. Ensure videos are intelligible through clear speaking, legible graphics, and simple language. It also discusses debated approaches like recording with an audience or having the lecturer serve as their own editor.

2. Video production: basic principles
Jörn Loviscach

3. Creativity matters!
• Authenticity and timeliness
• Not just lectures and Khan-style videos:
demonstrations, experiments,
hands-on guides, field trips, interviews, …
• Props, location
• Inspiration: comics and sketchnotes

4. Principles for lean video production
• Prepare and test
• Produce, don’t post-produce
• Record with editing in mind
• Be intelligible and comprehensible
Plus: some disputed advice.

5. Prepare and test
• Notes, script, or storyboard?
• Preproduce recurring elements, templates
• Test & establish a production workflow:
– File names, numbers (versions!), folders
– Positions, settings for microphone, camera
– Templates for video & audio processing

6. Produce, don’t post-produce
• Put everything on the screen,
record from there
• Keep window frames and menus
out of recording
• Test recording setup
• Avoid “um” and lip smacking

7. Record with editing in mind
• “Clapper” to sync screen recording
and camera; never stop recording
• Pauses to read & think; can be edited out
• For each new take: bell or click that can
be spotted in the audio waveform
• Redo from the last breath

8. Be intelligible and comprehensible
• Legible handwriting
• Graphics design:
– typography
– consistent choice of shapes and color
– orderly layout
• Simple and clear language

9. And some disputed advice
• Lecturer as video editor:
you know what you’re talking about
• Record with an audience (N ≥ 1):
– stage presence (loud, lively, intelligible), less picky
– quick feedback (style, mistakes, learning: quizzes)
– also works for Khan style

10. The European Commission support for the production of
this publication does not constitute endorsement of the
contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and
the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use
which may be made of the information contained therein.