Recording Presentations

Video formats

Your video must be uploaded as an MP4 movie file. There are many ways to create a MP4 file. Two simple ways to do so are to use a video conferencing tool such as Zoom, or your smart phone.

    • ZOOM. This is an easy way to film yourself full screen, or to film yourself and a presentation at the same time. You will start a conference meeting and make sure it is being recorded. Then you can simply speak and fill the screen, or you can show a presentation through “share screen” and talk.
      Once you have the recording you can edit it to be sure it is the stated length for your presentation (to edit, use quick time and use the “trim” function).
    • Smart phone – position your phone so you are speaking full-screen. Record yourself, and edit the video to make a clean beginning and end.
    • If you are recording a 90-second poster intro – please do not use a presentation – just speak into the camera.

Video Presentation Best Practices

  • Practice your presentation a few times. Get comfortable with talking. You might even have someone observe and give feedback.
  • Have a glass of water available.
  • Look at the camera and not the screen. You will come across as if you are talking to the audience. Don’t watch yourself talking
  • Talk to the audience rather than looking at your notes.
  • The light source should be in front of you. Face a window or lamp. A light source behind you darkens your face and body
  • Don’t lean in. Elevate your laptop or camera on books or boxes so that you are sitting up straight and looking directly at the camera.
  • Do not use a background image. This can be distracting, and you can be seen popping in and out of them, and they prevent visually challenged viewers from correctly seeing your face.
  • Background for your recording: Double check your live background to be sure that it appears organized and clean. In newer versions of ZOOM you can blur the background (see video settings).