The Visual Lounge

Microphones, lights, and cameras —the trifecta of good video creation.But this time, we’re focusing on lighting and all the amazing things it can do for your videos.Here’s the thing about lighting, it doesn’t just affect picture quality. It also sets the mood and tone for any video you’re creating.So, if you’re looking for pointers on how to use camera lighting to your advantage, this episode of The Visual Lounge is a good place to start.Matt Pierce, TechSmith’s Learning and Video Ambassador, delves into everything you need to know, from using natural and artificial lighting to how to get good lighting on a budget. It’s an episode packed with useful information that’ll bring you one step closer to mastering video lighting.Learning points from the episode include:00:04 - 01:25 Intro01:26 - 02:30 Why lighting is the number 2 thing to consider in video creation02:31 - 06:02 How lighting affects picture quality06:03 - 08:44 What happens when you have too much light08:45 - 10:13 Finding the right lighting balance10:14 - 13:34 What to do without lights13:35 - 14:26 Why it’s better to use natural light in gloomy weather14:27 - 15:11 Tips for using windows as a source of light15:12 - 17:10 Matt explains color temperature17:11 - 18:16 How to match color18:17 - 23:11 How to direct lights in different environments23:12 - 25:19 Figuring out your lighting on a budget25:20 - 27:43 Matt’s take on ring lights27:44 - 32:51 How to make your lighting work better using diffusion32:52 - 36:26 Adding color to your lighting36:27 - 37:58 The role of lighting in the grand scheme of video making37:59 - 39:05 ConclusionImportant links and mentions:Basics: Lighting Your Video: https://academy.techsmith.com/basics-lighting-your-videoHow to Get the Perfect Lighting for Video: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/get-perfect-lighting-video/Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/lighting-yourself-on-camera

Leveling up your videos is sometimes all about getting back to basics. When creating live training or pre-recorded learning content, there’s one question you should ask yourself - what is your on-camera presence like? In the learning industry, your on-camera presence is key to getting your message across. But what if you’re not a natural in front of the camera? Don’t worry, the truth is most people aren’t. If you want to learn how to improve your on-camera image, we’ve got just the episode of The Visual Lounge for you.Diana Howles, CEO and Co-Owner of Howles Associates, shares some tips for success and breaks down all the little details you should think about to improve your videos and give a great impression to your audience. Diana is an award-winning speaker, author, and international virtual trainer with 25 years of experience in the learning industry. She has conducted live online training for clients since 2000 and has taught virtual classes in more than a dozen countries. Diana is also the author of the book Next Level Virtual Training.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 – 03:31 Intro03:31 – 05:14 Diana explains the premise of her book, Next Level Virtual Training05:15 – 08:19 What is an on-camera presence and why is it important?08:19 – 13:13 What to do if you’re not comfortable on camera13:13 – 15:29 How to tweak your on-camera presence for live vs. pre-recorded video15:29 – 21:21 Steps to take to get more comfortable on camera 21:21 – 23:34 Standing vs. sitting while on camera: which is best?23:34 – 29:41 Common mistakes people make on camera29:41 – 41:13 How to use the B.L.E.A.C.H method to clean up your on-camera presence 41:13 – 43:35 Where to find more tips from Diana43:35 – 49:27 Diana’s speed round 49:27 – 50:32 OutroImportant links and mentions:Howles Associates: https://howlesassociates.com/Follow Diana on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianaHowles Connect with Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianahowlesNext Level Virtual Training: https://www.amazon.com/Level-Virtual-Training-Diana-Howles/dp/1953946038Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/improving-your-on-camera-presence/

When it comes to creating learning video content, the key to success is in how engaging it is. A video can have all the right information and be clear and comprehensive, but unless it’s compelling, it can fall flat with the viewer. A compelling video keeps viewers engaged, and that means any message you want to convey is much more likely to stick.But what’s the secret to creating compelling instructional videos? Mark Lassoff, Video Instructor and Founder of Tech Learning Network, is on The Visual Lounge to share some words of wisdom on his process and advice for others. Mark breaks down the three must-have elements of any video and explains why talent and expensive cameras are overrated.Learning points from the episode include:0:00 – 2:07 Intro2:08 – 4:46 Why Mark prefers a media-first approach4:46 – 6:25 How Mark first got started in media production6:25 – 8:09 Why having a team of media and educational specialists is best for learning content8:09 – 11:38 The three secrets to compelling content11:38 – 13:17 Questions to ask to help you decide on the right format13:17 – 18:58 Why video production is about skill more than equipment18:58 – 21:48 The biggest mistakes when making learning content21:48 – 30:17 Mark’s process for making videos30:17 – 38:01 How to bring narrative into your content38:02 – 41:27 What people can expect from Tech Learning Network 41:27 – 43:24 Mark’s tips for newbie video creators 43:24 – 48:54 Mark’s speed round questions48:54 – 50:41 OutroImportant links and mentions:Tech Learning Network: https://www.techlearningnetwork.com Follow Mark on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mlassoff Subscribe to Tech Learning Network on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TechLearningNetworkLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/compelling-video-content

Communication is a natural part of everyday life, and yet most people don’t consider how they communicate. Whether it’s internal team communication or communication with customers and clients, it’s easy for mixed messages and confusion to crop up.The solution? Build a communication strategy. That’s Jesse Lahey’s, Co-founder and Strategic Partner at Workforce Communication, secret for communication success. Jesse joins The Visual Lounge to break down his strategies and frameworks for communicating more effectively – without relying so much on media to paint a picture.Jesse is also a consultant speaker and author with over 25 years of experience in leadership and workforce communication. Previously, he was an HR communication leader at a Fortune 500 manufacturer with nearly 20,000 employees worldwide. Since 2012, he’s also hosted the Engaging Leader podcast, which has been downloaded millions of times by leaders around the world.Learning points from the episode include:0:00 – 3:38 Intro3:38 – 5:10 How the pandemic affected Workforce Communication5:11 – 8:44 How people can get better at communicating remotely8:44 – 15:07 How to create a solid communication strategy with the 5Ms framework15:07 – 19:34 The best practices for smaller-scale communication 19:35 – 26:55 How to execute your communication strategy with the SVS model26:55 – 31:36 What TechSmith’s Video Viewer Study says about viewer preferences31:37 – 35:30 Why keeping communication shorter isn’t always easy35:30 – 41:13 The three aspects of visual communication to keep in mind41:14 – 44:28 The most important components of a story 44:28 – 46:16 When not to use story 46:17 – 47:47 Where to find communication resources to learn more47:48 – 49:03 Jesse’s takeaway tip on communication 49:03 – 51:12 OutroImportant links and mentions:Workforce Communication: https://workforcecommunication.com/ Engaging Leader podcast: https://engagingleader.com/podcast/ Jesse Lahey’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesselahey/ Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/dont-jump-to-media-first

Are you ready to upgrade your microphone but aren’t sure where to start in the complex world of audio equipment and microphones?You’re in luck. This episode of The Visual Lounge is all about audio – how to pick the best equipment, how to use it correctly, mistakes to watch out for, and much more.Host Matt Pierce has some helpful need-to-know tips and even tests some of the most popular microphones on the market. Learning points from the episode include:1:28 – 2:38 How much should you spend on a microphone?2:38 – 5:54 USB vs. XLR microphones5:55 – 7:08 Can you use headsets for recording?7:08 – 13:07 Why you need to think about your environment and pickup patterns13:08 – 18:06 How to adjust your gain and other settings18:06 – 21:08 How far away you should be from your mic 21:09 – 27:25 The benefits of using lapel mics27:26 – 28:09 Using Snagit or Camtasia to level up your audio28:09 – 29:34 Why audio is so important for videos 29:35 – 36:00 Why the sE2200 is one of our favorite microphones (but not a great fit for everyone)36:00 – 39:48 The benefits of a shotgun mic vs. other mics39:48 – 41:24 Why you should pick a mic that’s right for you41:25 – 43:53 The difference between dynamic and condenser microphones 43:53 – 44:28 Why you should be mindful of microphone placement44:28 – 47:17 The simple secret to avoiding an audio disaster 47:17 – 48:09 Recommended microphones48:10 – 49:41 Why you should prioritize audio equipment over video49:41 – 50:48 When to use noise reduction50:49 – 52:52 Matt’s favorite podcast to listen to52:52 – 55:21 OutroImportant links and mentions:YouTube Subscribe Link: https://bit.ly/tvlsubscribeGear List: https://bit.ly/36jPjVm Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/upgrade-your-microphone

Are demos a necessary tool in L&D? Well, according to Troy Stein, TechSmith’s VP of Customer Advocacy, they’re super vital. He joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to explain why and share some tips on how to do demos the right way.The way Troy sees it, demos are to instructional videos what trailers are to movies. They don’t just give a sneak peek into what’s coming, they also pique the viewer's interest and make them want to know more. But there are key elements that need to be on point before a demo is considered successful. In this episode, Troy discusses everything from demo length to the importance of context, and he even shares a few demos he’s worked on himself. He also shares a bonus tip for video creators: Do everything at 1080p.Before becoming the VP of Customer Advocacy at TechSmith, Troy held a range of roles with the company spanning a decade. He also played a pivotal role in making Camtasia the popular software it is today.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 00:43 Intro00:44 - 02:30 Matt introduces Troy Stein02:31 - 04:12 What Troy does at TechSmith04:13 - 07:34 Why demos are crucial in learning and development07:35 - 10:49 Accuracy when creating demos (the role of accuracy when creating demos)10:50 - 13:49 How long should a demo be13:50 - 15:02 Troy shares one demo he thinks really hit the spot15:03 - 17:54 Three takeaways from a discussion Troy had with tech marketers17:55 - 19:22 The importance of giving context in demos19:23 - 22:59 How to get started making a demo23:00 - 24:27 Why intros and outros need to be consistent24:28 - 26:52 Troy shares a sample demo26:53 - 29:23 Cutting tips for instructional designers29:24 - 30:36 Why your demo should never be generic30:37 - 34:01 Why you should start small with your demo projects34:02 - 37:26 The ins and outs of demo creation at TechSmith37:27 - 44:20 Troy dives into some demo packages44:21 - 45:41 How to apply the Hitchcock Principle to demo creation45:42 - 49:44 Speed round questions49:45 - 50:46 OutroImportant links and mentions:Troy’s LinkedInCamtasia Template Package DownloadCamtasia Package Download Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/the-art-of-the-demo

How do you balance aesthetics and helpfulness when creating videos? Diane Elkins, the Co-owner of Artisan E-Learning and E-Learning Uncovered, joins this episode of The Visual Lounge to discuss.Diane is a national e-learning expert. She’s in the business of helping people create courses they can be proud of —and visual aids happen to play a big part. It’s not simply about creating visuals that look great.They also have to be purposeful, offer value, and complement the rest of your content.For the yes’s, maybes, and absolutely-nots of creating visual content that gets the message across, tune in to this episode of The Visual Lounge.Learning points from the episode include:00:00 - 02:16 Intro02:17 - 02:58 Diane tells us about herself 02:59 - 04:25  How Diane pivoted from graphic design to training and learning04:26 - 07:51 The role of visuals in producing good learning material07:52 - 09:55 Best practices in creating good visuals09:56 - 13:33 How to pull back with design elements13:34 - 15:48 The difference between a classroom trainer and an e-learning module15:49 - 18:56 How much information should accompany visuals18:57 - 25:42 Different levels to consider when creating visuals25:43 - 27:33 How visuals can do more harm than good27:34 - 29:36 A litmus test to check if your content helpful29:37 - 32:03 Tips to get from analogies to solid visual concepts32:04 - 32:50 Why the audience is more important than the content32:51 - 33:29 Overlaps between training and marketing33:30 - 41:02 Decorating vs illustrating your content41:03 - 48:49 Diane gives practical tips on how to make visual content more helpful48:50 - 52:35 Speed round questions52:36 - 54:54 Diana and Matt chat about editing audio54:55 - 55:47 How to connect with Diane55:48 - 56:46 OutroImportant links and mentions:E-Learning Uncovered: https://elearninguncovered.com/Artisan E-Learning: https://artisanelearning.com/Diane’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpelkins/When Graphics Lower Learning by Patti Shank: https://elearningindustry.com/when-graphics-lower-learningLearn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/make-helpful-images

Want to take your video editing skill to the next level (we’re talking ‘coloring outside the line' levels)?  Then this episode has your name on it.Cristi Cotovan joins The Visual Lounge to take us through some of the ‘out of the box’ work he’s been doing on Camtasia.Cristi is a video editor, educational content creator, developer, and Founder of Design Catchup and Graphicious. One of his superpowers is having a “visual brain,” and that certainly comes in handy in his line of work. One of Cristi’s core focuses is Camtasia, which he uses to produce some advanced-level material that can only be described as “out of the box.”Whether you’re just getting started in video creation or you’re further down the line, there’s something to be learned from Cristi’s approach to video making.Learning points from the episode include:What inspires Cristi to create “out of the box” videosHow Cristi’s background as a developer affects his approach to video creationThe role of constraints in video makingCristi’s favorite feature to use in videosCristi’s approach to learning in CamtasiaFoundations everyone should know for video editingWhere Cristi draws inspiration for his Camtasia videosWhen to stop tweaking a projectImportant links and mentions:Try Camtasia: https://www.techsmith.com/video-editor.htmlThe Visual Lounge: https://bit.ly/tvlsubscribeSubscribe to Cristi’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/graphiciousCheck out Cristi’s website: https://graphicious.co.uk/Learn more about the TechSmith Academy .To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/out-of-the-box-camtasia

Creating videos can be a work-intensive process – especially when you’re doing everything from scratch.But it doesn’t have to take eons to come up with a well-rounded video, and that’s what Andy Owen, the Social Engagement and Video Manager at TechSmith, discusses in this episode of The Visual Lounge.As Andy explains, recreating every element of your video from scratch is just not practical as your career progresses, it’s important for content creators to embrace the efficiency that comes with templatizing in order to make the most of their time.Andy also discusses various ways to tap into your creativity while staying consistent with templates. As a bonus, he shares a few templates that he uses in Camtasia. Tune in to this episode of The Visual Lounge to hear more about how you can cut down your content creation time using templates.Learning points from the episode include:Why it’s important to create content you can watch yourselfWhat to consider when watching videosWhat Andy still finds challenging about video creationThe importance of templatizingWhen to use scripting templatesHow to balance consistency and creativityAndy shares a few templates he uses in CamtasiaWhy calls to action are so importantThe role of music in video creationImportant links and mentions:The Visual Lounge: https://bit.ly/tvlsubscribeAndy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenfilms/TechSmith’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4GLzj1-tfM91DRtD8lk-gAHow to Make a Tutorial Video in 2022 (FREE Template!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyCIXOpJGcETutorial blog post: https://bit.ly/3kvAKB5Download our FREE Script Template: https://bit.ly/3jO9L4zLearn more about the TechSmith Academy here.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/faster-video-creation

Storytelling can be a powerful tool in the L&D community.But, as it is with most tools, you need to know how to use it to get the desired end result. That’s what Hadiya Nuriddin, Learning Strategist, speaker, and CEO of Duets Learning, explores on this episode of The Visual Lounge.Hadiya doesn’t just have a wealth of experience developing and delivering both technical and professional development courses, she’s an advocate for storytelling. She believes that the right stories can deliver context, spur empathy, and inspire people to take “expected” actions.As Hadiya explains, there’s always a story. It’s up to us to figure out how and when to use it. Listen to this episode of The Visual Lounge to learn how to leverage the power of storytelling for everything from compliance training to customer service training.Learning points from the episode include:Why Hadiya is keen on taking a cinematic approach to L&DHow stories add context and breed empathyWhy intent is important when telling storiesThe role of emotions in storytelling What formula makes up a good storyWhy “change’ is vital in storytellingThe difference between a story and an anecdoteWhat level of vulnerability is necessary for storytelling How to get different viewpoints using the perspective circleLessons from storytelling in TV and moviesImportant links and mentions:The Visual Lounge: https://bit.ly/tvlsubscribeDuets Learning: http://www.duetslearning.com/Hadiya's resources: http://www.duetslearning.com/resoHadiya’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hadiyanuriddin/Learn more about the TechSmith Academy.To read the blog post on the topic or watch the video, go to: https://www.techsmith.com/blog/powerful-stories-and-your-message/