1. Is there a recording outline or script of the steps that will be recorded prior to the start of the recording session?

For most training developers, nothing starts without a script. I am surprised though by how many screen recording projects are unplanned and look more like rambling mouse movements without any structure or purpose. Script everything and plan accordingly – learners want short concise training steps that are easy to follow and to understand.

Rehearse the script several times before recording.

2. What video player will be used to play the videos?

• What is the required screen resolution?
• Can the video player play videos full screen? (This should be mandatory for any screen recording course)

The video player should determine the screen resolution of the screen recording. If your web team only uses a small player size such as 640×480, then record at that resolution. If there is a full screen option on the video player, record at a higher resolution such as 1024×768. Remind your viewers at the beginning of the video to enter full screen mode.

Remember the higher the screen resolution, the larger the video file size. Recording at a 1920×1200 screen resolution will not equal a higher quality video. It just means that your will have a large video size and a crummy video when it is resized to a smaller video size if your audience’s computer cannot match the screen resolution.

3. What is the minimum screen resolution on the computer recording the session or running the software?

Preview the screen of the web pages/software in the following resolutions:

• 800×600
• 1024×768
• 1280×1024

Pick the smallest size in which the web page/software looks good. There are two  reasons for this:

1. Prevents a large viewing are with a lot of sise to side movements
2. Smaller video size to stream -keeps the IT department happy and the video will play better at a smaller size.

4. Plan for Software Pop-ups during the recording

• How many are expected during the presentation?
• When do they pop-up?
• Are they movable?

Plan accordingly and allow time to edit out any unusual movements to bring pop-up screens into the recording area. Most popups are designed to be in the center of the screen. Plan your recording area in the center of the screen rather than upper left corner.

5. Please turn off  all computer notifications of computer running the web pages/software for screen recording.

Email and instant messaging notifications should be turned off during the recording. They are disruptive and difficult to edit out.

6. Please use a clean/generic desktop background.

A desktop with a 100 icons or family photos should not be part of a training course.

7. Turn off/close all computer processes during the screen recording.

Computers running screen recording software perform better with fewer process running in the background

8. Remember to do a slower mouse/typing movements.

When watching screen recording videos, your audience will need to see and comprehend important mouse movements and typing. Subject Matter Experts need to go at a slower pace for improved audience understanding.

9. Audio – Audio is 50% of the production.

A well scripted and recorded video can be rendered useless by poor audio. Your audience will tune out after a few moments. Buy a good USB microphone if the screen recording narrator is also the SME doing the screen recording steps. If the screen recording is being recorded via WebEx, GoTo Meeting or Live Meeting, use a landline phone with a headset during the recording session.

10. Use a professional or ‘better than the SME” voice over talent if possible.

SMEs have great talent and knowledge about products and services, but that doesn’t mean they should be the voice of your training video. Spend a few hundred dollars to transcribe the SME audio and record it with a professional audio talent.  Good audio will allow your audience to focus on the visual content.

Remember the goal is to provide a great training experience when using screen recording software. Camtasia and Captivate are great rapid training development tools, but plan accordingly before you start.

More screen recording tips can be found at this blog entry:

http://www.xcelusstudios.com/toddcorbettblog/10-video-tips-for-using-screen-recording-software-like-camtasia-and-captivate/

The short description for the popular television show is as follows: “For homicide detectives, the clock starts ticking the moment they are called. Their chance of solving a case is cut in half if they don’t get a lead in THE FIRST 48™. Each passing hour gives suspects more time to flee, witnesses more time to forget what they saw, and crucial evidence more time to be lost forever.”  Source http://www.aetv.com/the_first_48/index.jsp

Let’s revise the shows brief description for a training development scenario:  “For training managers, the clock starts ticking the moment their course is started. Their chance of success in their new e-learning course is cut in half if they don’t create interest in first 48 seconds. Each passing second gives employees more time to flee, more time to forget what they saw, and crucial training more time to be forgotten forever.”

In June we created a social media training course for employees.  This video based e-learning course starts out fast and furious, but creates interest for employees to finish the course.  You can view a short sample in the video clip below:

Click to view video

The course pace slows down after 1:45 seconds, but the critical moment occurs when employees realize that this training is different.  We received more compliments about this course than any course we have created in the past five years.  Many of the employees who took the course referred us to their friends and family’s employers to have something similar created for those companies.

When you are planning your next training project think about the first 48 seconds.  Traditional course development for certain subjects is not as effect as other types of training.  Remember we live in an impatient economy with employees who have been conditioned by media – e.g. movies, television, and video games.