Video Production Guide

Overview of video production support options

Borrowing Equipment

  • Available at Walter Library Basement service desk
  • Two-day loans
  • First-come first-serve (for reservations, contact Charlie Heinz at heinz062@umn.edu)
  • We have HD camcorders, tripods, DSLR cameras, microphones, and hard drives. For details, see: z.umn.edu/libmedia.

*Note: Libraries-based media production resources are available to all UMN Twin Cities students. Additional dedicated media production resources are available to CLA students or students taking a CLA course (on the 6th floor of the Rarig Center).  See CLA LATIS A/V Equipment page for additional information.

Software

Free software in the Library

Media production workstations and editing software (Adobe, Audacity, Final Cut Pro) can be found at Walter Library, Wilson Library, Health Sciences Library and Magrath Library.

More info: Software available in the Libraries

Backing up your files

When you use a library computer to edit video, you need to back up your project and take it with you, or you'll lose it. Project Backup Instructions with External Hard Drive or Google Drive:

Consider also using Dropbox to backup your project files.

You can borrow an external hard drive from Walter Library with your U Card for one week.

Video editing software

  • Mac - We recommend iMovie.
  • PC - There are several options, and ClipChamp or Openshot.org might be the best free option. ClipChamp is on the Microsoft Store. Other options include Microsoft Photos, DaVinci Resolve, and Adobe Premiere Pro.

Note: It’s a good idea to pick one video editor as a group and stick with it.  Regularly backup both your project files and a cut of your video during the editing process. Be cautious about “free” video editors that apply a watermark on your final video output.

Audio editing software

Audacity is the most popular free audio editing software currently available for both Mac and PC.

LinkedIn Learning has tutorials on learning Audacity.

Using a smartphone or tablet to record

Here is a great video tutorial about using a smartphone or tablet to record.

Transferring footage from iPad to iMovie: Instructions from Apple

Release forms: You should get a release form from anybody that you interview, ensuring that you have permission to use their “likeness” in your project. Download a release form here.

Software for adding voice over to PowerPoint slides

VoiceThread (user friendly choice in Canvas for combining still images via PowerPoint with a voice over)

VoiceThread Instructions (Video Tutorials)

Tips for using VoiceThread:

  • Create a new VoiceThread presentation at https://umn.voicethread.com/myvoice/ (click Create link at top of homepage)
  • To facilitate online collaboration when first putting the presentation together you might want to consider creating a Google Docs Presentation > download as a PowerPoint file when finished > then drag and drop the PowerPoint file (or .pdf) to the new VoiceThread
  • Consider Playback Options (bottom left hand corner) to limit the time for slide changes (e.g., change from the default 4 secs. to 0-2 secs.)
  • Add members to view the group project by selecting the presentation > Menu > Share > Edit > +Add members > email individuals in your group the link and have them log-in
  • Save VoiceThread presentation as an .mp4 video clip > upload to YouTube

Note: If you need assistance, please sign up for an appointment and mention VoiceThread on the media production assistance form

Additional production resources

Release forms

You should get a release form from anybody that you interview, ensuring that you have permission to use their “likeness” in your project. Download a release form here.

Captioning

YouTube Captioning

Tutorial on captioning YouTube videos

Additional Resources of Interest

Primary vs Secondary Sources

At Home Media Production Tips (Charlie Heinz)

Digital Storytelling Guide (adapted from CEHD)

Storyboard Creation Guide

Copyright/Fair Use information

See also

Google Images (keyword search>select drop down “Usage Rights” for reuse licensed materials; use Google’s size filter set to large to find images closer to 1920x1080 - smaller photos may appear grainy and low-resolution).

Creative Commons Image Search

StoryBlocks UMN Licensed Stock Video/Images/Audio/Graphics
If on-campus access is not working for you, please use this link.

*To access StoryBlocks off-campus, you need to be signed into the U of M VPN. See it.umn.edu/stock-content for details. If you are connected to Eduroam or on a campus computer, you will not need VPN.

Reserving Media Rooms

The 1:Button Studios are an intuitive, equipped space designed to record your presentation. The Media Viewing rooms or 1:Button Studios can be used for quiet voiceover space or interviews.

Talk to an expert

Make an appointment to get help with your project

Contact Information

  • Charlie Heinz - Media Specialist heinz062@umn.edu
    Contact for questions related to equipment, computing or production support.  Make an appointment with this link: Media Production Help.
  • Scott Spicer - Media Librarian spic0016@umn.edu
    Contact for support finding media resources, or any questions/concerns related to Libraries project support.
  • Subject librarians for research support

Citing Sources in a Video

Basic guidelines

See this brief YouTube tutorial for tips and examples: https://z.umn.edu/videocitation

  • Cite every source you use in your project, including your textbook, articles, photos, and videos. When in doubt, cite it. (Why?)
  • Find the original source when you cite something. For example:
  • Cite the original reference, not the Wikipedia page.
  • Cite the image source, not Google Images.
  • Cite the original paper, not a citation in another source.
  • Pick a citation style and stick with it, or use the citation style required by your professor. (Why are there so many different styles?)

Specific citation guidelines

Direct quotes or statistics.

Use an “in-video” citation (a text box on the screen, a bar at the bottom, or add it to a voiceover) when either directly quoting a source or referencing a statistic that would not be readily known.

  • Voiceover: "Just last November 16 protestors were arrested in North Dakota during a North Dakota Pipeline demonstration.”
  • In-video citation (on screen at the same time): Engel Bromwich, 2016
  • Full citation (in end credits): Engel Bromwich, J (2016, November 21). 16 arrested at North Dakota pipeline protest. New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/us/dakota-access-pipeline-protesters-police.html.

Paraphrased information or information synthesized from multiple sources.

When you use a source like a website or textbook, cite that source in your end credits.  Paraphrased or synthesized information is not required to be cited in the main section of the video itself, and in fact may be a distraction to your messaging.

Interviews.

Unless anonymity is requested, it is good practice to provide the name, title and/or organizational affiliation of anyone being interviewed within the video. Reference them at the end.

Reference list.

If you decide to use rolling end credits, make sure the rolling movement is slow enough for the viewer to actually read your bibliography/reference list.

Acknowledgements.

It is good form to list your name as a video producers (i.e., you/group member(s)) the video. It is also good form to credit those who assisted directly in the video production process (e.g., a friend who provided a voice over, campus media production support, etc).

How to cite video, images, interviews, and music in end credits using APA citation style

Online video (source): Last Name, F.M. [Username]. (Year, Month Date). Title of video. [Video File]. Retrieved from URL.

Online image (source): Photographer, F.M. (Photographer). (Year, Month Date of Publication). Title of Photograph [digital image]. Retrieved from URL

Interview (source): Last name, FI. (Year, Month date). Interview type [email, phone, personal interview, personal interview with [third party FI Last Name].

Music Recording (source): Songwriter F.M. (Copyright year). Song title [Recorded by F.M. Last (performer’s name/musical group)]. On Album title [Medium of recording]. City, State of label: Record label name.

Last Updated: Mar 30, 2023 11:23 AM