What are you experience when making screencasts and how did you get started? I'm considering to try it out, but I'm not sure how to tackle it. I feel sure I have some content I can deliver to an audience that would like it. Probably I have some incorrect pronunciations too, but I know from screencasts I have seen, it doesn't matter too much and even native english speakers have different accents. But I feel my main obstacle is my voice flow, I will probably think too much, "lag" while speaking or be nervous I'm not speaking enough and make it sound odd and unnatural. I know people like screencasts more than written guides.
Do you have any advices for techniques to overcome this? My plan is to make about 4 minute videos. Do you make a script and practice it 10+ times before making it, do you just talk from the head and there must be some techniques to get started?
I have already looked at microphones like Røde or Blue Yeti, but that doesn't matter so much if my flow of speaking sucks :-)
While I don't speak myself (publicly or in a screencast) often, I have witnessed many others over the last 5 years. This is what i've learned:
Know the content inside and out - listeners or attendees will be able to tell if you know what your doing or not, regardless of if they know anything about the subject prior to watching / listening. It'll come through in your tone of voice.
Be prepared - if you're speaking in person, be prepared for people to ask questions. If you're doing a video and comments are allowed - just the same, people will ask questions. With a video you'll get a bit of time to research an answer - in person, you'll be on the spot.
I would definitely prepare some sort of document with major points, sub points and notes for each. It doesn't need to be a script and again, people will be able to tell if you're just reading off of paper - but enough that you can get through the video, read which point you're on, then explain / do the point in the video / live.
Practice, practice, practice. As I said, I don't do this myself often - but I did a video for my website. I wanted to explain the new content editor, how it worked, it's benefits, etc... I too, am self conscious about my voice and what I feel is a very minor speech impediment. I must have recorded the video 30-40 times before I was happy with the outcome - it came out to about 10 minutes long.
Equipment wise, the camera in any recent Mac will suffice if you intend to be apart of the shot. I can't speak of microphones - the built in mic on a MBP worked fine for me - and screen recording software is wide and varied you should be able to find an appropriate one for Mac or Windows.
On a Mac, I use this to record the screen and it's worked well.
Hi Emil, how are your screencasts going? I had the EXACT same problems. I'm Brazilian, and I can't hide my accent. Additionally, I also do some incorrect pronunciations sometimes. But I tried: I created a screencast series on youtube (www.youtube.com/c/reactcasts) and it's been a success so far.
My tips are: 1 - Prepare a script. Even if you're going to change a few things while recording, having a script upfront has helped me look for correct pronunciations and rehearsal a little bit before recording.
2 - Record only voice before the video, and learn an audio editing tool such as Adobe Audition: It's always easy to sync the video later, but being able the edit just your audio recording separately will let you talk more calmly and confidently - if you say something wrong, just repeat the last sentence again and later you can cut the wrong part.
Some audio recording tips: 1 - Yes, invest on a good microphone. I doesn't need to be a professional grade one, but a good cardioid USB mic makes difference. I have a Widget B, and I like it a lot because it has good quality and built in shock mount + pop filter. Blue microphones are also excellent (both snowball and yeti).
3 - Record on a small room, and throw a few pillows around the desk and behind the mic to diffuse the audio and get better acoustics.
I hope it works for you!