Library Guides: Story Studio: Record Your Video: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Wake Up the Studio

Touch the control panel to wake up the studio.

Control panel screen with instructions to touch to begin

Then insert your USB flash drive into the Record slot on the podium. The lights, camera, microphone, and computer will turn on automatically after 5-10 seconds

A USB flash drive inserted into a port labeled "Record"

Step 2: Prepare Your Content

Using the keyboard and mouse, log into the computer with your UD username and password. Prepare any content or media you would like to display on the background screen. This may include a slide presentation, images, or a website. Click Next Step to continue.

Control panel with instructions on how to display content on the background screen

Need a Remote for Your Slides?

There is a clicker in the drawer. Open the drawer and remove the clicker from its bag. Remove the USB receiver from the bottom of the clicker and insert it into the "Display My Content" port. Make sure the device is switched "On".

Three photos of a wireless presentation clicker demonstrating how to remove the receiver, insert into a port, and turn on the device

Step 3: Frame Your Shot

Frame your shot using the automatic Standing or Sitting buttons.

Illustration showing the difference between standing and sitting options. Standing is a medium shot while sitting is a wide shot.

Or, use the Advanced Camera Controls to pan and zoom the camera manually until you are satisfied with the camera position.

Control panel screen showing the advanced camera controls with options to pan and zoom the camera

When you are satisfied with the camera position, touch Next Step. Optionally, you can adjust the lighting if you wish before you proceed to the next step.

Step 4: Adjust Lighting (optional)

The default lighting in the studio offers a good general purpose look, but you can adjust the lighting to accommodate different skin tones or different moods. Click Lighting Controls to adjust the brightness and/or color temperature of the lights.

Control panel showing the location of the lighting controls button

The Center Light and Side Lights can be controlled independently to accommodate different skin tones or to achieve different moods.

Three frames show the effects of different lighting on the mood of a scene. The first is a general purpose setting, the second shows a lower color temperature, and the third offers a more dramatic example in which the side lights are off.

Once you are satisfied with your lighting, press the Take Me Back button to return to the previous screen. Then press Next Step.

Step 5: Record Your Video

Touch the Record button. A 20 second countdown will allow you time to step into the frame and get ready to record.

Control panel screen displaying a "Record" button

After 20 seconds, a Recording in Progress message will let you know it is recording.

Control panel screen showing a "Recording in Progress" message

If you have a laptop, you can set in on the podium and display your script in front of you to help you remember what you planned to say.

Step 6: Finish and Shut Down

When you are finished recording, touch the Stop button and wait for your video to save.

Control panel screen showing saving in progress message

Then touch the Finished Recording button. Be sure to log out of the computer and then pull your USB flash drive out of the Record slot. The lights, camera, computer, and microphone will turn off automatically.

Control panel screen showing options to record another video or finish recording

As you exit, please remember to leave the studio as you found it!