Video and Audio Tips and Guidelines

Tip One: Get to know your competition. Take a look at the videos that already exist on your topic area. What videos have other universities or other areas of UWS published on the matter? What stylistic features have they used? What is the quality like? How can you make a competitive alternative?

Tip Two: Always remember your target audience. What style of videos are your demographic watching in their leisure time? What type of music is popular right now? What other trends are capturing their attention? Knowing all this can be helpful to know what aspects might work with your videos.

Tip Three: Be aware of your pacing and length. Short videos generally perform better. If possible try to keep your videos to 2-3 minutes and make those minutes engaging and memorable!

Tip Four: Consider distribution. The UWS YouTube channel is the preferred method for hosting videos online, from here it can be embedded into your webpage. You may also want to consider linking to it in correspondence; sharing it on social media; or creating a DVD.

The Web Services Unit is in the process of publishing updated digital production standards. The standards offer specific technical information that you can refer to and pass on to relevant project members. Meeting these standards will also help us achieve a consistently high quality product in line with UWS values.

» Download the current Digital Production Standards [PDF 388Kb]

This list outlines some of the areas that should be considered when undertaking video or audio production for the University.

• Workplace Health and Safety - Risk assessments are important
• Insurance and public liability
  
• Location release when filming/recording off campus
• Personal release when filming/recording individuals eg. Interviews or demonstrations
• Obtaining permission for filming/recording people at events eg. Conference attendees
• Cultural sensitivity - Is what you're filming appropriate for the audience? Do you need to put a warning at the start of your video?
• Location suitability - in terms of project context and production quality (lighting and audio conditions)
• Streamlining processes eg. organising the filming schedule to reduce travel, time and financial costs
• Intended output and future re purposing - video technical requirements are different across web, DVD and television
  

Note: All multimedia intended for use on UWS-Web should be developed in consultation with the Web Services Unit to ensure the final product meets UWS Digital Production Standards.

Video of the month

Video: Dr Colin Stack Lecturer in Medical Microbiology talks Science at UWS.

This video is simple, but engaging. The sharp cuts keep the video moving at a nice pace. Dr Stack's friendly, casual tone and personal stories help engage the audience and are easy to listen to. It goes to show, you don't always need a big budget and lots of graphics to create a good video. Just a well composed shot, good on-screen talent and clear audio!