Best practices
- Use a tripod whenever possible to reduce “camera shake.” Even if you are using a iphone.
- Proofread all titles or other text added to the video carefully.
- Any additional graphics or animations should be professional, appropriate, and necessary for the message of the video. Graphics and animations must be clean, clear, undistorted and fit on the screen.
- For videos showcasing speakers, panels, and events make a version of the video specifically for online use. For example trim down or cut out extended introductions. An online audience wants to see the main attraction. If need be include speaker bios in the written YouTube description.
- Transcribe the audio. YouTube offers a tool that is very easy to use.
- Do not use music that you don’t have the rights to. Your video will get blocked on YouTube.
YouTube tips
- Original Video Source: The less a video is re-encoded prior to uploading, the better the resulting YouTube video quality. We encourage you to upload your videos as close to the original source format as pos
- Video Format: Preferred file types to upload to YouTube are Quicktime (.mov) and MPEG (.mp4)
- Aspect Ratio: Native aspect ratio without letterboxing (example: 16:9)
- Resolution: High Definition video at either 1280×720, 1920×1080, or higher.
- Audio Format: MP3 or AAC preferred
- Frames per second: Native frame rate
- Aspect Ratio: The aspect ratio of the original source video should always be maintained when it’s uploaded. Uploaded videos should never include letterboxing or pillarboxing bars.
- Testing: Since there is no facility to re-upload videos, it’s important to test that your audio and video quality are satisfactory before you release your video publicly onto YouTube. Once a video becomes popular, the number of views, user ratings, user comments and other community data, cannot be transferred if another, higher quality version of the same video is uploaded. Make sure you get it right before you go public
Have questions? Need clarification? Reach out.
Carolyn Lagattuta Communications & Marketing Exec. Assistant and Staff Photographer
Nick Gonzales Senior Videographer
Release forms
Obtain written permission of any people shown in any photographs (using the forms below):
Additional resources
- Get external filming and photography productions terms and guidelines.
- Class block schedule/passing period schedule: Campus can feel empty outside of passing periods. Don’t come to campus expecting to find students everywhere.
- Construction spreadsheet: See if construction noise is near you
- Campus video and photo archives McHenry Library’ digital collections and campus archives
- Drone Use: Done users must comply with FAA regulations and campus drone policy. Learn more here.