Recording Videos

You’ve done the essential planning – the outlines, storyboards, and scripts for your Pitch and Technical videos. Now it’s time for the action: the Production phase, where you actually Record the video footage!

Using your plans as a guide, let’s talk about how to capture the best possible footage using the resources you have available.

Lesson Topic: Recording Videos

Section 1: Recording Basics (Tips for Good Footage with Your Phone!)

You don’t need expensive cameras! Your smartphone can shoot great video if you follow some simple tips:

• Light is Your Friend: Good lighting makes a huge difference.
  • Best: Film during the day near a window with natural light shining ON the speakers’ faces (not behind them). Or film outside in a bright, shaded area (direct harsh sunlight can be tricky).
  • Avoid: Filming with a bright window or light source behind the person speaking – they will look like a dark silhouette! Always have the main light source in front.
  • Test: Do a quick test recording to check the lighting before filming properly.
• Clear Sound Matters MOST: Bad audio can ruin a good video.
  • Find Quiet: Record in the quietest place possible. Listen for background noise – boda-bodas, people talking, dogs barking, wind – try to minimize it. Close windows and doors if needed.
  • Speak Clearly: Talk clearly and loudly enough to be heard easily.
  • Use Earphone Mics: If possible, using the microphone on standard phone earphones, clipped near the speaker’s mouth, often captures much clearer sound than the phone’s built-in mic held far away. Test this!
• Steady Does It: Shaky video is distracting.
  • Keep the Phone Still: Don’t hold the phone by hand if possible. Prop it up securely on a stack of books, a table, a chair, or use a small tripod if you have one.
• Frame it Right (Landscape!):
  • Hold Horizontally: Record your video holding the phone sideways (Landscape mode), like a TV screen. Vertical videos usually don’t look as professional for presentations like this.
  • Framing: Position the speakers so you can see their upper body and face clearly. Don’t cut off the tops of their heads!
• Look at the Lens (Eye Contact): When speaking to the camera, try to look directly at the camera lens, not at the phone screen showing your own image. This creates a better connection with the viewer.
• Do Multiple Takes: Mistakes happen! Don’t expect the first recording to be perfect. Record each section or line several times (do multiple “takes”). You can choose the best one later during editing. It’s easier than trying to fix a mistake in a single long recording. Relax, smile, and let your passion show!
• Voiceovers: Sometimes, especially for screen recordings or showing visuals (B-roll), it’s easier to record the video silently first and then record the narration (voiceover) separately. You’ll add the voiceover during the editing phase.
• B-Roll Footage: This is extra footage you can film that relates to what you’re talking about (e.g., shots of your community experiencing the problem, your team working together, close-ups of your app prototype). You can show this B-roll footage while narration plays over it to make your video more visually interesting.

Section 2: Recording Your App (Screenshots & Screen Recordings)

For your Technical Video especially, you need clear visuals of your app:

• Screenshots: These are still pictures of your app’s screen. Easy to take on any phone (often Power + Volume Down buttons simultaneously, but check your specific phone model). Good for showing specific layouts or static information screens.
• Screen Recording: This is a video of your app screen while you interact with it. Essential for demonstrating how your app works!
  • How to Record:
    • iPhone: Has a built-in “Screen Recording” feature you can add to the Control Center.
    • Android: Many Android phones have a built-in screen recorder – check your phone’s quick settings panel (swipe down from the top) or look in your Settings app. If not built-in, you can download apps like “AZ Screen Recorder” or others from the Google Play Store.
    • Computers: Windows 10/11 has the Game Bar (press Windows key + G). Macs have screen recording built into QuickTime Player or via Shift-Command-5.
  • Tips for Screen Recording: Practice first! Plan what features you will show (based on your storyboard/script). Move through the app smoothly and clearly. It’s often best to record the screen silently and add a voiceover later during editing.

Section 3: Recording Responsibly (Ethics & Legality)

This is extremely important!

• Protect Privacy: When recording your app demo or any other footage, NEVER show real personal information. This includes:
  • Full names
  • Phone numbers
  • Email addresses
  • Usernames or account details
  • Specific locations (unless necessary and generic, like “Jinja Town”)
  • Use FAKE or TEST data in your app during recordings. If you absolutely must show a screen with potentially sensitive info, consider blurring it out during editing (though avoiding it is best).
• Get Consent: You MUST get permission from every single person who appears recognizably (face or voice) in your video. This includes all team members speaking on camera, anyone you interview, or anyone testing your app on camera.
  • Use a Release Form. The lesson provides a link to a template. Explain clearly why you are recording (for your ICT Club project submission) and what will happen with the video (uploaded online). Get their signature (or a parent/guardian’s signature if they are under 18). Keep these forms safe! Failure to get consent is a serious ethical issue.
• Respect Copyright: You cannot just use any music, images, or video clips you find online. Most are protected by copyright.
  • Safest: Use only content you create yourself.
  • Okay (with rules): Look for music/images specifically labeled as Public Domain (free to use) or under a Creative Commons (CC) license. Read the CC license carefully – some require you to give credit (attribution), some don’t allow commercial use, some don’t allow modifications. You MUST follow the license terms. Search for “Creative Commons music library” or “Public Domain images”.
  • Risky: Downloading random content from Google Images or YouTube is usually copyright infringement and could get your video flagged or your team disqualified. When in doubt, don’t use it.
  • Cite Sources: If you use CC content that requires attribution, or quote information, make sure to give credit appropriately (e.g., in video text or end credits).

Section 4: Let’s Record! (Activity 1 – Pitch Video – 60 mins)

Time to film your pitch!

Your Mission: Record all the raw video footage needed for your 3-minute Pitch Video.

Use Your Plan: Follow your storyboard and script closely.

Checklist (ICT Club Requirements):

• [ ] Max 3 minutes total edited length.
• [ ] All team members should appear and speak.
• [ ] Video will be uploaded to YouTube/Vimeo (set as unlisted or public).
• [ ] Dialogue primarily English OR includes accurate English subtitles.
• [ ] Privacy protected (no personal info shown).
• [ ] Consent obtained from everyone appearing.
• [ ] Any external images/music used have proper permissions/licenses & citations.

Tips: Record multiple takes of each part! Check your light and sound. Bring your passion!

Section 5: Let’s Record Again! (Activity 2 – Technical Video – 45 mins)

Now, capture the technical footage.

Your Mission: Record all raw video footage for your 3-minute Technical Video, including screen recordings of your app.

Use Your Plan: Follow your storyboard and script (especially the demo sequence and the part where you explain code/AI).

Checklist (ICT Club Requirements):

• [ ] Max 3 minutes total edited length.
• [ ] All team members should appear and speak (perhaps explaining different technical parts).
• [ ] Video will be uploaded to YouTube/Vimeo (unlisted or public).
• [ ] Dialogue/Narration primarily English OR includes accurate English subtitles.
• [ ] Privacy protected in demos (use test data!).
• [ ] Consent obtained from everyone appearing.
• [ ] Any external content used has proper permissions/licenses & citations.

Tips: Get clear, smooth screen recordings. Practice explaining your technical segment concisely. Multiple takes!

Section 6: Ready for Editing (Reflection)

Oli Omaliriza Okukwata! (You have finished recording!) Well done! Capturing all the raw footage based on your careful planning is a huge step. The next stage will be Editing, where you’ll piece together the best takes, add screen recordings, maybe music or titles, and polish it into your final 3-minute videos.

Section 7: Quick Review (Key Terms)

• Production: The phase of actually recording the video footage.
• B-roll footage: Supplementary video clips used for context or visual interest during narration.
• Screenshots: Still images captured from a screen.
• Screen recording: A video capturing activity on a screen.
• Voiceover: Narration recorded separately and added over video footage.
• Consent Form: A document giving permission for someone to appear in a video.
• Copyright: Legal right protecting creative works (music, images, video).
• Public Domain / Creative Commons: Licensing terms that may allow free reuse of content (with specific conditions).

Conclusion

Recording your videos takes practice and attention to detail. Focus on getting clear audio, good lighting, stable shots, and most importantly, recording ethically by protecting privacy and respecting copyright. Gather all the footage outlined in your storyboards and scripts. You’re now ready to move on to editing and bringing your story to life! Mulimu Mulungi! (Good work!)