LOC V IDEO G UIDE
FOR THE
F IRST -Y EAR E NGINEERING P ROGRAM
Purpose:
This guide is intended to expand upon the
multimedia portion of the Technical Communications
Guide in order to define expectations and assist first year
engineering students with the LOC project video.
Additional Help:
For additional help with technical communications and
video creation:

Visit the Technical Communications Guide at:
http://eeiccourses.engineering.osu.edu/1182/te
chcommguide
TABLE
O F C ON TE N TS
I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................3
A. Video Overview ........................................................................................................................................3
B. The LOC Video ........................................................................................................................................3
C. Evaluation and Worth of Assignment ...................................................................................................3
II. Content of the Video .................................................................................................................................................4
A. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................4
B. Setup ...........................................................................................................................................................4
C. Design Development ...................................................................................................................................4
D. Final Design and Testing .............................................................................................................................4
E. Closing .........................................................................................................................................................4
III. Assignment Part I – Due Lab 7a ................................................................................................................................5
A. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................5
B. Previous Video Evaluations .........................................................................................................................5
C. Storyboard ...................................................................................................................................................6
IV. Assignment Part II – Due Lab 10 ...............................................................................................................................7
A. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................7
B. Content........................................................................................................................................................7
C. Capturing the Video ....................................................................................................................................7
D. Editing Programs .........................................................................................................................................7
E. Suggestions (to avoid common errors) .......................................................................................................7
F. Software ......................................................................................................................................................8
V. LOC Video Grading Guidelines .................................................................................................................................10
LOC VIDEO GUIDE
PAGE II
I. Introduction
A. V IDEO O VERVIEW
“Technical Communication” is a broad category that includes
numerous ways of sharing information about specialized
subjects. Multimedia communication, which may include
posters, videos, or presentation slides, is a type of technical
communication that can be effectively utilized to communicate a
clear message. In particular, video presentations are becoming
an increasingly common mode of communication in engineering
and students have lately been producing video presentations:




for courses in their program of study,
for use during their internship and job searches,
as part of the process to gain admission to graduate
schools and
to earn scholarships and awards.
B. T HE LOC V IDEO
The purpose of the LOC Video is to professionally describe the
LOC project from the project background, to design
development, and through final testing. An individual that has no
familiarity with the LOC project should be able to watch an LOC
video and have a general understanding of the project and the
process that created the final design.
LOC VIDEO GUIDE
This guide will introduce you to the video making process and
define expectations of the LOC Video (including sample
documents and videos, tutorial help, and the grading guidelines.)
C. E VALUATION AND W ORTH OF
A SSIGNMENT
As an individual or in your Team, you may choose to create an
LOC Video. The LOC Video will be worth a maximum of 2%
extra credit applied to each participating individual’s final grade.
The assignment will be graded according to the LOC Video
Grading Guidelines. To earn this extra credit, you must meet the
following deadlines:


Part I (previous video evaluations, storyboard): due Lab
7a (Design Analysis Tool)
Part II (completed LOC Video in .mp4 format): due Lab
10
PAGE 3
II. Content of the Video
A. Introduction
An LOC Video should tell the story of your lab on a chip to an
audience that is unfamiliar with the project. While it is not
explicitly required that you use title these sections as listed
below, in general, that story will contain four major sections:




Setup
Design Development
Final Design and Testing
Closing
B. S ETUP
D. Final Design and Testing
The final design and testing segment is the culmination of the
video and should:


Illustrate and explain the final design, utilizing a
SolidWorks exploded view animation (click here for an
Exploded View Tutorial, a Basic Animation Tutorial, and
an Advanced Animation Tutorial if you need assistance
doing so)
Show the LOC operation
The setup is an introduction portion of the video and should:



Professionally grab the attention of the viewer
Introduce each team member, optionally declaring each
member’s role
Provide a background to the project
C. Design Development
E. Closing
The closing segment is the conclusion of the video and should:



Briefly reflect on what was learned from the project
Conclude
Run credits including names of those that assisted you
in the project (likely your instructor and TAs)
The design development segment continues the story and
should:



Discuss brainstorming and initial concepts, showing
initial drawings
Mention obstacles and how they were addressed
Explain the design’s development, mentioning test
results and other reasoning behind design decisions
LOC VIDEO GUIDE
PAGE 4
III. Assignment Part I – Due Lab 7a
A. I NTRODUCTION
Part I includes previous Video evaluations and a storyboard. It is
due at the beginning of class on Lab 7a (Design Analysis Tool)
and is worth ¼ of the potential extra credit. For any LOC Video
extra credit to be earned, this portion must be completed by the
deadline. That is, you may not earn extra credit for Part II without
completing Part I.
B. P REVIOUS V IDEO E VALUATIONS
To get an idea of videos from the past, watch each of the
following example videos. As you watch them:


Note five strengths and five weaknesses. Note at least
one strength and one weakness from each segment of
the video (setup, design development, final design and
testing, and closing)
Grade the video based on the grading guidelines (last
page of this document)
Video, Example 1 (SP13)
Video, Example 2 (SP13)
Video, Example 3 (SP13)
Video, Example 4 (SP13)
Video, Example 5 (SP13)
T ABLE 1: E XAMPLE S TRENGTHS AND W EAKNESSES OF V IDEO , E XAMPLE 1 (SP13)
Video, Example 1 (SP13)
Strengths
Weaknesses
1. Introduction: The team uses 1. Introduction: All team members
great pictures and animations to should keep eye contact with the
explain the background and video camera or look at the team
goals of the project.
member that is speaking. One student
looks around and that is a bit
2. Design Development: The distracting.
brainstorming section zoomed
into the orthographic pictures, 2. Design Development: The team did
making them clearly visible.
not explain the testing or test results
that led to the development of their
3. Final Design and Testing: The design.
Solidworks animation displaying
the final design is quick but 3. Final Design and Testing: The
descriptive and shows the final video only showed the AEV on the
design well.
track for a few seconds. It would have
been nice to show it for a little longer.
4. Closing: The team quickly and
clearly discusses their few 4. Closing: The camera was not
technical errors including the centered on the team for a part of this
battery draining and rotating section.
wings.
5. A better background could have
5. The video was free of been chosen for the credits. It would
mistakes, showing that the team be better if the team chose something
filmed sections multiple times to more appropriate to the AEV than a
get it correct.
plane crashing.
You will submit the strengths and weaknesses as well as the
completed grading guidelines for each video. Here is an example:
LOC VIDEO GUIDE
PAGE 5
C. S TORYBOARD
A storyboard allows you to define an order of visual and audio
components and is an effective tool in outlining the plan for your
video. Considering the strengths and weaknesses of other
videos and remembering the required content of the project,
create a working storyboard for your video. The example below
is a storyboard for the first few seconds of Video, Example 1
(SP13):
F IGURE 2: A S TORYBOARD EXAMPLE FOR V IDEO , E XAMPLE 1 (SP13). N OTE
THAT THIS STORYBOARD ONLY COVERS THE FIRST 20 SECONDS OF THIS VIDE O .
Y OUR TEAM WILL CREATE ONE FOR YOUR WHOLE V IDEO WITH AS MUCH DETAIL
AS IS POSSIBLE BY WEEK 8.
F IGURE 1: E XAMPLE G RADING G UIDELINES OF V IDEO , E XAMPLE 1 (SP13)
LOC VIDEO GUIDE
PAGE 6
IV. Assignment Part II – Due Lab 10
A. I NTRODUCTION
Part II will include the 3-5 minute final LOC Video in .mp4 format.
It should be submitted to the Carmen dropbox by the beginning
of class on Lab 11C and is worth ¾ of the potential extra credit.
For any LOC Video extra credit to be earned, Part I must have
been completed by the deadline. That is, you may not earn extra
credit for Part II without having completed Part I.
B. C ONTENT
An LOC Video should tell the story of your lab on a chip to an
audience that is unfamiliar with the project. See Section II,
“Content of the Video” for more information.
E. S UGGESTIONS ( TO AVOID
COMMON ERRORS )





C. C APTURING THE V IDEO
You may use any video/audio capturing device that you wish
(camera, camcorder, cell phone) as long as it produces a visible
picture and audible sound.
D. E DITING P ROGRAMS
You may use any editing software to create your video. Some
options include:



Camtasia (available on computers in Hitchcock 324)
iMovie (likely on any team member’s Mac, iPad, or
iPhone)
Windows Movie Maker (likely on any team member’s
PC)
LOC VIDEO GUIDE





Consider the location of your filming. Find well-lit areas and
backgrounds that are professional, neat, and do not distract the
viewers. When indoors, avoid large windows. When outdoors, it is
best to film early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Be aware of the noise level of the surrounding area when filming.
Avoid areas with loud doors, vents, and traffic.
Keep it professional! This video should be something you are
proud to show to a potential employer.
Well-made videos are not created in one take. Film multiple takes
from multiple angles to create a mistake-free video and have
flexibility during editing.
Zooming can be done post-production and allows for more
flexibility and success then.
Text overlays and captions are an effective way to introduce video
segments or emphasize important points.
Remember your audience! This video should be able to be shown
to any average person to give that person a good understanding
of your project.
When communicating verbally, speak at an appropriate
volume, pace yourself and use pauses, use voice inflections,
convey an appropriate tone (relaxed, but serious), and avoid
using filler words such as “uhh,” “like,” “so,” “well,” “y’know,”
When communicating nonverbally, stand with a confident
and relaxed posture, move around some and be animated,
use natural gestures, use positive and genuine facial
expressions, make appropriate eye contact with the camera
or with the team member that is speaking.
A tripod is a useful tool for panning and creating a steady
shot. If you don’t have a tripod, find another way to gain a
steady shot (stand the camera on something else.)
PAGE 7
F. S OFTWARE
Camtasia
Whichever software you choose, make sure you learn to use it
effectively. Find tutorials online or go through the ones provided
by the manufacture.
Camtasia Studio 8 is available on computers in Hitchcock 324
(you have swipe access to this computer lab 24/7.) Video
tutorials for Camtasia can be found here. For Camtasia, a
general overview is that:
F IGURE 3: I MAGES AND VIDEOS CAN BE PLACED ON THE TIMELINE AS A “ TRACK .”
F IGURE 4: S EPARATE AUDIO RECORDINGS MUST BE PLACED
OR VIDEO .
LOC VIDEO GUIDE
IN A TRACK UNDER THE IMAGE
F IGURE 5: T HE VOICE NARRATION OPTION CAN BE FOUND I N THE “M ORE ” SECTION OF THE
C AMTASIA RIBBION AND A “R ECORD FROM S CREEN ” IS ABAILABLE IN THE TOP LEFT .
F IGURE 6: O NCE THE “R ECORD F ROM S CREEN ” BUTTON IS PRESSED , THE AREA WITHIN THE
GREEN DASHED LINE WILL BE RECORDED WITH VOICE NARRATION .
PAGE 8
iMovie and Movie Maker
iMovie is likely available on any team member’s Mac (computer,
iPhone, or iPad) while Windows Movie Maker is likely available
on any team member’s PC. Similar to Camtasia, iMovie and
Windows Movie Maker allow you to add images and videos and
align them with audio segments. “Voiceover” features allow you
LOC VIDEO GUIDE
to narrate images. Text can be added to separate sections and
make transitions clear. If you choose to use these programs, the
best way to learn their features is through the tutorials within the
program or online.
PAGE 9
V. LOC Video Grading Guidelines
Content
Part I – Due Lab 8
Video, Example 1 (SP13)
5 Strengths, each one should be typed in a complete sentence, with a thoughtful
description of the strength. At least one strength should be written about each of the four
major segments: setup, design development, final design and testing, and closing
5 Weaknesses, each one should be typed in a complete sentence, with a thoughtful
description of the weakness. At least one weakness should be written about each of the
four major segments: setup, design development, final design and testing, and closing
LOC Video Part II Grading Guidelines completed for this video. For this portion, digital or
hard copies are acceptable
Video, Example 2 (SP13)
5 Strengths, expectations written above still apply
5 Weaknesses, expectations written above still apply
Graded on grading guidelines, expectations written above still apply
Video, Example 3 (SP13)
5 Strengths, expectations written above still apply
5 Weaknesses, expectations written above still apply
Graded on grading guidelines, expectations written above still apply
Video, Example 4 (SP13)
5 Strengths, expectations written above still apply
5 Weaknesses, expectations written above still apply
Graded on grading guidelines, expectations written above still apply
Video, Example 5 (SP13)
5 Strengths, expectations written above still apply
5 Weaknesses, expectations written above still apply
Graded on grading guidelines, expectations written above still apply
Storyboard
Visual component is well thought out and includes details regarding the visuals that will be
LOC VIDEO GUIDE
Point Value
Points Earned
50
8
3
3
2
8
3
3
2
8
3
3
2
8
3
3
2
8
3
3
2
10
5
PAGE 10
included in the setup, design development, final design and testing, and closing. The
location of the filming is clear and reading the storyboard provides a good idea of how the
video will look.
The audio component is well thought out and includes a script for the setup, design
development, final design and testing, and closing. It is clear when other audio
components (such as music) will be used and the storyboard provides a good idea of how
the video will sound.
LOC VIDEO GUIDE
5
PAGE 11
Content
Part II – Due Lab 11C
Setup
Each team member is introduced, optionally introducing each team member’s role
A background is provided regarding the project and project goals
Design Development
Point Value
150
10
3
7
25
Brainstorming and initial concepts are discussed, initial drawings are shown and are clear
10
The design development is discussed, test results and other reasons behind design
decisions are mentioned
15
Final Design and Testing
The final design is explained and illustrated utilizing a SolidWorks exploded view
animation
The final test is discussed and the LOC is shown operating
Closing
What was learned was briefly reflected upon, potentially mentioning obstacles that led to
these lessons
Credits are run to thank those that helped in this process
Overall Quality
The video was free of obvious mistakes (“umms”, stutters, awkwardly long pauses) and
other editing flaws
The video was professional and appropriate
Logistics
25
15
10
15
10
5
50
25
25
25
The video was submitted in .mp4 format
10
The video was 3-5 minutes in length
15
LOC Video Guide
Points Earned
Page 12