If you want to record a video using a word-for-word script, you need to use a teleprompter or a teleprompter app. In a previous video, I showed how to use a script while recording yourself using your computer’s camera. In a new video tutorial, I show how to use a teleprompter app for iOS (Teleprompter for Video) to record a video on an iPhone. This app is nicely designed and easy to use. I briefly go through the settings to show the options available for tailoring the app to your use and also provide a few tips for using a teleprompter app.
Tag Archives: script
Video Recording with a Webcam: How to Use a Script and Keep Your Eyes on the Camera
In the last post, I talked about the issue of keeping your eyes on the camera (or appearing to do so) while recording a video, especially if you have a lot of points to make. The best option that allows you to constantly look at the camera while delivering your lines is a teleprompter. However, most people don’t have a teleprompter or know how to use one (I’m working on a new tutorial to show how to use a teleprompter).
So, I decided to investigate a simpler approach, which is to sit in front of a computer and record myself speaking to the camera–with a script. There are a few tricks to making this work, which I’ve summarized in the video provided below:
Recording a Video with a Computer and a Script
I recently launched a new YouTube channel focused on scientific writing. Although I’ve written several essays about writing (How I Wrote My Best Scientific Paper, How to Write a Scientific Abstract), I knew that a lot of people dislike reading long articles. More and more people, especially students, like to get their information by watching brief videos. So, I decided to begin sharing what I’ve learned about writing over a forty-year career in a series of videos.
I’ve been making video tutorials about science videography for six years now. So, using video to share insights about writing was a no brainer. The only question was: What video format would work best for this particular topic? I decided to try something simple and that would make it easy to cover a lot of material on camera.
I used my computer camera and an external microphone to record these videos. I had my script or list of main points on my computer screen where I could easily see them. The trick is to deliver the material in a natural speaking voice and avoid the shifty-eye syndrome. That’s easier said than done. But I thought I would try it for a while and then in a future post offer some insights into what works and what doesn’t.
Here are a couple of the writing videos I’ve posted: