Producing Videos for Language Learning

Although there are many Creative Commons licensed videos available online, you may decide you want to create your own videos.

• Read a short blog post by teacher Josie Jesser Links to an external site. with some beginning tips on creating videos for your course

 

Examples of Videos for Language Learning

Here are some examples of video projects created by COERLL and other teams at the University of Texas at Austin:

Français interactif Links to an external site. and Deutsch im Blick Links to an external site.

• Both resources include interview videos with both native and non-native speakers as well as culture videos. 
• Videos are fully integrated in the program and are used as the basis for in-class and homework assignments.

Spanish Proficiency Exercises Links to an external site.

• Interview videos with native speakers from many different regions. 
• Videos topics are organized by proficiency levels, and include related grammar points.
• Mostly used as a supplemental resource.

Spanish in Texas (SpinTX) Video Archive Links to an external site.

• Interview videos with native speakers. 
• Tagged with topics, vocabulary, and grammar points to help teachers find relevent videos.
• Mostly used as supplemental resource. 

Spanish Proficiency Training & Learner Corpus Links to an external site.

• Interview videos with language learners.
• Questions are consistent across all learners so answers can be compared.
• Intended for teacher training on proficiency levels, but can be used by language teachers.

Les Conversations Mises à Jour Links to an external site.

• Authentic conversation videos provide dialogues for intermediate and advanced learners. 
• Tagged with grammar points and language functions.

Conversa Brasileira Links to an external site.

• Semi-scripted scenario videos with very high production values (multi-camera setups and professional crew).
• Pop-up annotations give additional information and context to the videos.

Spanish Video Index Links to an external site.

• Various types of videos (narrative, documentary, interviews, etc.) with high production values (professional crew, post-production editing and effects).
• Some videos have accompanying lesson plans.

 

Stages of the Video Development Process

1. Video Pre-Production
2. Video Production
3. Video Post-Production
4. Distribution

See more details in this simple overview (PDF) Download See more details in this simple overview (PDF)

 

Video Equipment

Essentials

• Camera (HD if possible)
• Media (DV tape or SD cards)
• Zoom Lens
• Tripod (Fluid Head if you want camera movement)
• Lapel Microphone(s) (wireless or wired)
• Audio Mixer (if using multiple microphones)
• External shotgun microphone (if not using lapels)
• Extra Batteries
• Extra Battery Charger
• Headphones
• Camera Bag
• Hard Drive to store media (or SD Card reader if recording directly to card)

Extras

• Lighting Equipment
• Microphone boom pole
• Windscreen

 

Considerations for Planning the Shoot

• Recruiting the on-screen talent
  • Who are you targeting?
  • Will compensation be provided?
• Selecting a location
  • Studio vs. natural setting
  • On-campus vs. Off-campus
  • Indoor vs. Outdoor
• Planning the shoot
  • One camera or two? Multiple scenes within a clip?
  • What style? (Documentary vs. ethnographic, exposition vs. cinema verite)
  • How scripted will the shoot it be? Completely scripted? Set interview questions? General topics? Follow-up questions?
  • How many people on-screen? Will the interviewer be on or off-screen, on or off audio? Will we hear the questions or will they appear as titles onscreen or will they not appear at all?
• Do you need a crew?
• Scheduling
  • How much time for equipment setup / teardown?
• Legal
• Does your project need IRB?
• Release form

 

Resources for more information

•  Documentary Filmmaking, A Contemporary Field Guide Links to an external site. by John Hewitt and Gustavo Vazquez, Oxford University Press, 2010.
•  Making Real-Life Videos by Matthew Williams, Allworth Press 2006
•  Ethnographic Film By Karl G. Heider, University of Texas Press 2006 revised edition (electronic book on UT Library site)
•  Cross-Cultural Filmmaking By Barbash and Taylor, University of California Press, 1997
•  Preparing to Conduct and Film an Interview Links to an external site. (published on COERLL's SpinTX website)

 

 

Shooting Video - Technical Hints and Tips

Location

• Outside:
  • Be aware of the elements: wind and drafts especially because they can not be noticed when filming, but can be very loud in the audio.
• Inside:
  • Avoid:
    • Loud A/C unit or vent.  Video example: loud background noise Links to an external site.
    • Rooms that are too large or empty and cause the sound to echo.
  • Try:
    • A quiet location with very little background noise.

Background and Framing the Shot

• Avoid:
  • Busy background and distracting asymmetries. Video example: distracting background Links to an external site.
  • Too much space between the subject's head and the top of the frame.
  • Capturing video vertically (portrait)
• Try:
  • Positioning the camera close to the subject (6-10 feet away).
  • Place the subject to the left or right side of the frame (not in the middle), using the "Rule of Thirds Links to an external site." technique. 
  • Recording video horizontally (landscape). 

Lighting

• Avoid:
  • Don't place the interviewee or scene in front of a light source (window, lamp, etc.) because this will cause a silhouette effect and the subject will be too dark. Video example: subject in front of window Links to an external site.
• Try:
  • Use natural light sources in a bright room if possible. Lamps will cast a yellow/red tint over the whole scene.
  • Use the white balance function on the camera if you know how.

Movement

• Avoid:
  • Moving or zooming the camera while the subject is speaking. If you want to change the composition of a shot, wait until the (offscreen) interviewer is asking a question.
  • Placing the subject in a chair that swivels or has wheels. Sometimes the subject's movements can become distracting or they will move out of the frame. Video example: distracting movements Links to an external site.
  • Excessive eye movements (if reading from a screen while recording, place the text at eye level)

Microphones

• Avoid:
  • Make sure the subject removes rattling necklaces, bracelets or earrings. They can cause audible effects.

• Try:
  • If using a lapel mic, think about where you place it. Do not place it too low, and make sure that hair or jewelry will not brush against it.

Clothing

• Avoid
  • Clothing that is white, black, bright red, or has thin stripes or a very busy pattern can cause problems.
  • Hats or dark glasses should not be worn during interviews (regular glasses are fine).
• Try
  • Best colors to wear on camera are grays and dark pastels.

Release Forms

• Be sure to get signed release forms at the shoot from anyone who appears onscreen.
• Download this sample consent and release form (PDF) Links to an external site.

 

Recording Audio - Technical Hints and Tips

Location

• Outside:
  • Be aware of the elements: wind and drafts especially because they can not be noticed when filming, but can be very loud in the audio.
• Inside:
  • Avoid:
    • Loud A/C unit or vent.  Video example: loud background noise Links to an external site.
    • Rooms that are too large or empty and cause the sound to echo.
  • Try:
    • A quiet location with very little background noise 
    • A location padded with blankets or other soft surfaces to avoid echos (you could try hanging a blanket behind you)
    • Closet - if it's not too uncomfortable, you can go in the closet, or record in front of the closet with the clothes hanging behind you to absorb background sounds

Microphones

• Avoid:
  • Make sure the subject removes rattling necklaces, bracelets or earrings. They can cause audible effects.

• Try:
  • If using a lapel mic, think about where you place it. Do not place it too low, and make sure that hair or jewelry will not brush against it.
  • If using a handheld mic or computer mic, the distance between you and the mic should be at least the length of the tip of your thumb to your pinky 

 

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