Creating Educational Videos

Question

We had a question on how to create podcasts a while ago, and i'd like to go one step further - i'd like to create a video tutorial.

Now, I am using Screen Capture software and a standard Video Editing program to edit them, and I find it quite hard sometimes to keep up the pace. I noticed that some videos (i.e. the ASP.net Videos) often use Bullet Points in a separate screen etc.

Of course, in a video editing program this is trivial to do, but very tedious if you want to do it a lot.

I just wonder if there are specialized tools to create tutorial videos/"video podcasts" or if people really use only Premiere et al. to edit them?

Also, I wonder if there are some "tricks and best practices" on the content side to keep the video interesting and at a good pace?

Answer 1

When I do video tutorials like this I just capture and use Premier for all the editing.

Answer 2

My company uses Captivate and I hear good things about Camtasia.

Answer 3

I use CamStudio, it is free and has some limited editing ability. Here are a few tips...

• Have a script
• You can reduce the need for editing after the presentation if you have all of your slides ready and display and capture them in real time during your presentation
• Have a hot key for pausing the recording
• Use a hot key for muting the microphone when not speaking

Remember, unless it is for resale it doesn't have to be perfect!

Answer 4

From what I understand, Microsoft uses (for the ASP.net videos at least) Camtasia Studio.

I only know this though because I worked for TechSmith, and it is cool when we see our products used. Our company's evangelist Betsy Weber is a great resource for doing screencasts and podcasts. Her blog is "The Visual Lounge".

If people have problems with this please feel free to vote me down, but I only can answer what I know.

I wholly agree with pdavis regarding preparation and a script being key.

Answer 5

Camtasia 5 is awsome - I've been using it since v3 and love it. You can render to just about any format.

Answer 6

Wink is freeware and does a great job.

http://www.debugmode.com/wink/

Answer 7

Try Screen Flow from http://www.varasoftware.com/

Answer 8

Hi, im using a pretty record tool - PCHand Screen Recorder. it could record any activities on the screen and the audio whatever u hear, even the left and right mouse clicks and mouse highlights can be recorded to be displayed in your recordings. I think it is the perfect assistant to create demo video. what's more, it could record any audio and keep synchronous with video. hope it could help u. http://www.screen-capture-record.com/screen-recorder.html