The Listening Post

Hints and tips for video blogging

Listening Post – Hints and tips for video blogging

  1. Install any software that comes with your webcam – unless you already have it.
  2. Plug in your webcam.
  3. Find a quiet place to record your comment, so that background noise doesn’t cause a problem.
  4. Think about what is behind you in the picture. A plain backdrop is usually the best.
  5. Secure the camera on an even surface so that it doesn’t wobble or shake.
  6. Frame the picture so that you have your head an shoulders in frame with about a quarter of the frame left empty at the top, for head space (the more of your face we can see the better!)
  7. Make sure that your microphone (often part of the webcam) is directed towards your face (if possible!)
  8. Think about what you want to say before hand, but don’t worry about getting it all word for word, its good to be as natural as possible.
  9. Don’t worry about getting it right first time you can always re-record as many times as you like.
  10. If you find it difficult to look into the lens of the camera and talk, find a spot to focus on just above the camera and talk to that.
  11. Record on  your webcam software OR quicktime if possible, and choose the option to save file as an .MPEG (although any recording software will do, I can convert most files).
  12. Once you start to record count 5 seconds in your head while looking at your spot, before you start to talk, and when you have finished count 5 seconds before stopping the recording. This will give us clean in and outs for edit.
  13. Start your piece by saying your name, who you are and where you are from.
  14. Speak clearly and not too quickly.
  15. Around a minute is the optimum length.
  16. Once you are happy with your piece, save it and upload it to www.yousendit.com (you may need to register for free first). Direct the file to listeningpost@aljazeera.net.
  17. Thank you
Published On 16 Nov 2006