OT - Advice and tips needed for training videos

dibbkd wrote on 6/14/2010, 7:58 PM

I'm a Medisoft software dealer and starting to make some training videos. It's software that doctors offices use to keep track of patients, billing, and scheduling.

So anyway, I made the two videos below, used Camstudio to capture the PC video and my new Zoom H2 to capture the audio, and of course Vegas to put it together.

I'd love to get some suggestions from you on how to make them better, and hopefully not just what's wrong but how to fix it, and if you have some links to some really great training videos similar to mine that would be great too.

A couple of things right off I know that need improvements is the lighting and there's a glare from the outside in the second video. So please, let me know what you think. And I do plan on making a better intro title than the plain text from the Vegas media creator.

And also what do you think about how they're embedded in the webpage itself? Would it look better with Vimeo embedded or something else? I'm open for those suggesions as well.

(the video I made is the one at the bottom of the page, not the first one you)
http://dibbsolutions.com/medisoft/ttscannerMedisoft TTScanner Calibration[/link]

http://dibbsolutions.com/medisoft/revenue-management-check-updates/Medisoft Revenue Management Check Updates[/link]

Comments

kkolbo wrote on 6/15/2010, 9:34 AM

I am currently beginning production of a bunch or training videos and materials after a year break. It is a challenge to make them interesting and still keep the time and cost appropriate for the limited distribution. I understand your challenge.

As for good ones to watch, Digital Juice has some great ones posted. The DJTV series was pretty much the gold standard to me. I also love what Eric Franks does. He is direct and concise. http://www.videopia.org/index.php/watch/training.html

Things I would suggest for your last video (the update one) would be as follows:
SMILE!!!!
I would throw a color splash on the back wall
Add a few props to the desk; it felt too sterile, may medical office stufff.
More professional dress, can be casual but the multi-colored T-shirt look was a bit loose. (that may not be what was worn, but that is what it left as an impression.)
Consider a branded opening, closer, and transition.
SMILE

Lets face it, the subject is dry as a bone and that is just life. I would try to set it in an environment that matched the user rather than the computer software reseller.

Thank you for not showing the screen the whole time. Using a real person for a lot of it makes it much better.

** My stuff will have all of the same issues. I can see it in others and then I go and do the same thing. Sometimes there just isn't an obvious way to avoid it, sometimes I am just lazy, or sometimes I am just stupid. The key is keep making them. They will get better every time.

I do think that your video did its job and that is the important part.

KK
amediaprof.com

bStro wrote on 6/15/2010, 10:05 AM

The speaker in the first video was too close to the microphone, resulting in distortion -- especially on "p" and "sh" sounds. Might be able to fix that a little in Vegas, but I'll let someone with better audio know-how address that.

In regard to KK's comment about the second trainer's attire, if you re-shoot, put her in scrubs. It will help the audience relate to her.

Rob

kkolbo wrote on 6/15/2010, 3:11 PM

Perfect idea Rob.

rs170a wrote on 6/15/2010, 3:44 PM

Please put a lav mic on the trainer in the second video as her voice sounds way too hollow.

Mike

dibbkd wrote on 6/15/2010, 7:15 PM

Hey guys, thanks for the advice.

One thing though, I might not have been clear, and not that mine is any better, but in the first link, the video I made that I was asking for was at the bottom of the page, not the first one that you mentioned the "p" and "sh" sounds. (that video was actually made by the vendor of the scanner, I'm a dealer/reseller for it)

I'm working on getting a better logo and will have that as part of my intro as well.

I agree the tie-dye shirt didn't look good in the video, it didn't look as bad until she was sitting down and it was frumpy looking then.

I'll work on getting her to smile more, as you guys know, it's harder than most people realize to even read a simple script and make it look "natural", let alone "fake" a smile. But yes, you're right, more smile is better.

I'll try the lav mic, I got one in my Zoom H2 kit.

I think I'm also going to try doing a kind of picture in picture for some of the computer generated video as well, that might be nice.

Any other advice is welcome, I really appreciate your advice.

(and check out the other video I mentioned, I think some of you might have missed it)

FrigidNDEditing wrote on 6/15/2010, 7:26 PM

pan/Scan in and out and across the screen when doing computer stuff, for different sections.

Talent needs better audio ( boom mic overhead or lav on person ).

Leaning back from the camera is an unpleasant view/shot - should be more upright or leaning slightly forward and positioned further back.

More dynamic lighting rather than the overhead light look if possible.

if they're this short, run a soft bed under it all, that always helps to keep the feeling from getting really dull.

Just some ideas, don't mean to be so short, just in a hurry :)

Dave

dibbkd wrote on 6/15/2010, 7:44 PM

What do you mean by "run a soft bed under it all"?

Jim H wrote on 6/15/2010, 11:03 PM

What do you mean by "run a soft bed under it all"?

Some light music.

dibbkd wrote on 6/16/2010, 4:33 AM

I have music in the background of both videos.

Was it so low you couldn't hear it? (I hear it OK)