CORE1403 Academic English for University Studies

Tips of Video-making for Video Assignments 1 & 2

This is a reference document which provides extra support and advice for the video
assignments on this course. Below are frequently asked questions.

1. Are you assessing my technical skills and video editing skills?

No. We are looking for an informative, coherent, well-researched, engaging video.

2. What software should I use to produce the videos?

You do not need to use video editing software to produce a video. You are
recommended to use PowerPoint, Prezi and/or Zoom to produce your video, but you
can use others in you prefer.

PowerPoint enables you to record voiceovers of each slide and therefore produce a
good video. Here are instructions for recording a video in PowerPoint:
http://cei.hkust.edu.hk/files/public/recording_a_lecture_video_using_powerpoint.pdf
Prezi also enables you to record voiceovers of each slide and therefore produce a good
video. Here are instructions for recording a video in Prezi
https://support.prezi.com/hc/en-us/articles/360003479194-Adding-audio-in-Prezi-
Present
Zoom also enables you to record voiceovers very easily.

Below is some other possible software that you might be interested in (but not expected
to use).
Video Editing for Beginners (Using Windows PC!) https://youtu.be/-wpFSpNbDW0
19’42”
OpenShot: (probably the easiest to use for beginners) https://www.openshot.org/
OpenShot Video Editor Tutorial https://youtu.be/rLWXlc1BW-I 36’49”
Kdenlive: https://kdenlive.org/en/
Beginner's Guide To Kdenlive And Video Editing https://youtu.be/KI93ae_nnyY 33’29”
Basic Video Editing Tutorial for Beginners https://youtu.be/V18BX15KbKs 15’58”
Shotcut: https://shotcut.org
Shotcut Video Editor Tutorial https://youtu.be/PCMcyYAtRzw 31’42”
Shotcut Video Editor - Tutorial for Beginners in 10 MINUTES!
https://youtu.be/P9pzmzXj03A 10’42”
iMovie:
iMovie Tutorial for Mac - The COMPLETE Guide! https://youtu.be/mKx2MkE74kw
22’13”
iMovie tips: Getting started with iMovie (iPad tutorial 2020)
https://youtu.be/aUJLqIJHobk 6’09”
CapCut: https://www.capcut.net/
CapCut Video Editing Tutorial - COMPLETE Guide (2021) https://youtu.be/1xEDL7ZF97c
24’31”
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3. Where can I find copyright free images/media for my videos?

Here is a list of recommended websites which contain a large stock of copyright free
images:
https://unsplash.com/
https://pixabay.com/
https://www.pexels.com/
https://thenounproject.com/
https://nappy.co/

You are not expected to integrate background video clips nor background music, but you
can if you want to. Here are some useful sources of copyright free materials for this:
https://commons.wikimedia.org (video clips)
https://www.pexels.com/videos/ (video clips)
https://www.motionelements.com/free/stock-footage (video clips)
https://archive.org/details/prelinger (video clips)
https://www.vidsplay.com/ (video clips)
https://publicdomainfootage.com/ (video clips)
https://www.loc.gov/collections/national-screening-room/ (video and images)
https://publicdomainreview.org/collections/?medium=film (video, audio, images)
http://dig.ccmixter.org/ (music)
https://freemusicarchive.org/ (music)
https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Song-Maker (music)

4. How do I cite images in my video?

In small letters on your image, you can write “website source | name of image author”
e.g., unsplash.com | MRFreeman. Also, follow the course materials and the Online
Library Session materials for other possible citation methods.

5. Do I have to film my own video clips?

We do not expect you to shoot your own video clips, but you can if you want to.

6. Can I include video clips from other sources?

Yes, but this is not necessary nor expected. (You can make the video just using still
images with voiceover if you want.) If you choose to include video clips from other
sources, you must use copyright free video clips (see list of sources above) and you must
cite the source on the screen. Remember that we are assessing your work, not other
people’s work, and for this reason, if you use sourced video clips, you must ensure your
video clips are very short (e.g., a few seconds) if they are used to introduce information
and ideas. Background video clips (e.g., video clips of a city time lapse or trees blowing
in the wind or people walking down a street) could be longer.

7. Can I use background music?

Yes, but this is not necessary nor expected. Using effective music at appropriate times
can enhance multimodal communication. At the same time, inappropriate use of music
can be distracting. Make decisions that best communicate the message of your video. If
you use music, you must use copyright free music clips (see list of sources above).
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8. How do I cite information sources in videos?

Cite sources orally, following the advice given in the course material. Add a final slide at
the end of the video with a list of your information sources which you have named/cited
earlier the video – in APA style.

9. Do I have to make written subtitles in videos?

It’s possible but not required. If you include subtitles, they should have a clear purpose.

10. Can I use text-to-voice speech in videos?

No, your video should use your own voice.

11. Do I have to show my face when I speak in videos?

No, but you can if it helps the audience.

12. For the group video (V1), does everyone in the group have to speak?
Not everyone in the group needs to speak, but everyone should take an active role in
planning and producing the video.

13. In my individual video (V2), can other people speak in my video e.g., if I interview
someone or include a short copyright free video clip of someone else?
Yes, it’s possible, but if you choose to include other people’s voices, remember to keep
these clips very short, (this is similar advice to when you include a direct quotation in a
written essay). When we assess spoken language, we are only assessing the parts which
you say yourself, not other people’s voices; therefore, you need to ensure you speak
enough to be assessed.