ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú

• Line up interviews before going to the filming location. Also, go to the shoot open minded about what you can get instead of knowing all the shots ahead of time.
• News-style stories need at least one expert, foundational interview that holds the narrative in place (tent-pole interview) to elevate the video.
• To ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with UCM brand standards, videographers must be provided with clear and complete project information at the outset of each engagement. This includes the purpose of the video, intended audience, key messages, priority subjects to feature, expected style or approach when known, timeline, and planned distribution channels such as websites, social media, and paid platforms. Technical requirements, including aspect ratio, orientation, accessibility needs, and platform-specific considerations, must also be communicated in advance.
• While videographers and freelancers may contribute creative ideas and production expertise, it’s essential that someone in a producer role helps define creative direction and interpret UCM brand standards. This person is responsible for translating project goals into clear creative guidance, ensuring adherence to UCM brand standards, and serving as the primary liaison between campus partners and videographers. If your video project was approved through the UCM project intake process, someone from UCM can serve in that role. If you’re working directly with a freelancer or producing the video yourself, you will serve as the producer. Establishing clear ownership of creative direction and brand oversight helps prevent misalignment, supports videographers in producing effective content, and ensures that all UCM video assets reflect a consistent and cohesive brand identity.
• Videographers (particularly freelancers) will need help coordinating b-roll availability and interviews. Video producers can request b-roll by emailing UCM’s Photo/Video team at video@ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúOH.edu.

• When possible, use backdrops of relevant activity for the interview.
• All interview subjects should be lit and framed using a consistent visual style and setup. While striving for a consistent feel, variation in background is acceptable and encouraged to enhance visual interest. If all subjects are filmed in the same space, use minor compositional adjustments to provide subtle visual variety, but maintain the overall consistent quality.
• Always shoot b-roll, whether that be cutaways with framing of the interview subject, shots of the subject’s work/activity space, or shots of relevant action occurring.
• Try to capture both the sights and the sounds of a scene. Then, use those bits of video with sound to break up the video and draw the viewer into the moment.
• When possible, get an establishing shot to start the video, such as a wide shot of the building/grounds/scene.
• Be open to soliciting unplanned interviews from people at the event/location to try to get some authentic, in-the-moment reactions that were not pre-planned or set up.
• Green Screen Filming: When using a green screen, ensure the subject is evenly lit and positioned far enough from the backdrop to avoid shadows or color spill onto clothing or skin. Keep the framing consistent with standard interviews and avoid reflective surfaces or clothing that could pick up the green tint. Proper lighting and distance help maintain flexibility for adding graphics or backgrounds in post-production.

Tips for Video Quality, Camera Operation, and Sound

• To ensure all campus-produced video content maintains a professional and consistent quality, we recommend including a clear guideline on video resolution. Specifically, all footage should be captured in at least HD (1920 × 1080 pixels), with 4K (3840 × 2160 pixels) preferred whenever possible. Providing these specific resolution standards gives campus partners and content creators a concrete reference, helping them plan ahead and avoid low-quality footage that can appear blurry or pixelated. High-resolution footage not only looks sharper across devices and screens but also provides flexibility for post-production edits, such as cropping, stabilization, or repurposing content. Including this recommendation will set a clear expectation, reduce inconsistent video quality, and future-proof content for various uses.
• No shaky footage: All footage must be clean and stable. Use a tripod, gimbal, or stabilizer at all times. If no stabilization gear is available, use locked-off, static shots with strong composition.
• Clean in/out points: Start recording only when your shot is framed and stable. Stop recording before moving the camera. Every second of each clip should be usable. No footage should begin or end with unnecessary motion.
• No overexposed or underexposed shots: Maintain proper exposure across all clips. Highlights should retain detail. Use exposure tools such as zebras, histograms, or false color when available.
• No grainy or noisy footage: Footage must be clean and sharp. Avoid shooting in a low-light environment without proper lighting support.
• Accurate white balance: Set white balance manually for each lighting environment using the correct Kelvin temperature and tint for consistent skin tones and color.
• No in-camera audio: Always record audio using professional external microphones (lavalier, shotgun, boom, or wireless systems). Monitor audio throughout the shoot and ensure a backup recording is available when possible.

B-Roll

Film B-Roll that includes:

• Cutaways that capture energy, emotion, and atmosphere.
• Detail shots (hands, décor, relevant spaces, merchandise, stage elements, etc.). For events, be sure to capture:
  • Venue exterior and event signage.
  • Crowd/guest arrival and interaction.
  • Name or branding of the event, branding of the university.

Visual

• Try to match words with images: For instance, if you want to use a sound bite that talks about work in a lab, make every effort to shoot or acquire images that show work in that lab.
• Use still photos that add visual context. When appropriate, ask interview subjects to provide images.
• Color correct to the best of your ability while assuring that all shots look realistic. If the video requires more advanced editing, the best action would be to switch the shot.
• Transitions: Keep transitions simple and limited.
• Feature the best footage at the beginning, end, or both of the video if possible.
• Use ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú-provided .mogrt template title cards. The template has an editable url field. The url should reflect a call-to-action that relates to the video’s subject matter. You can find here.

Audio

• For in-the-moment style interviews, sound bites should be 10 seconds or less if possible. Avoid sound bites over 30 seconds.
• The best sound bites convey emotion or summarize complex ideas.
• Videographers, particularly freelancers, may need direction on which sound bites to include in the video.

Editing and Production

• Length of video depends on the platform on which your video will be viewed. For videos that you intend for audiences to view on ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s website, keep maximum video length to approximately 90-120 seconds. For videos that you intend to share on social media, see the Social Media Style Guide [link coming soon] for platform-specific best practices.
• If you determine you’re missing a shot in postproduction, it is wholly reasonable that you may need to go back in the field to get the shot.
• Avoid using stock footage: If supporting footage is needed, please contact UCM. Ensure that ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú possesses rights and signed releases if using footage provided by a third party.
• Before and during the video review and approval process, consult this style guide so you can better anticipate and suggest corrections.

Guidelines for Sound

Music selection: If the video includes interviews or voiceover, select instrumental music with no vocals. Hype or recap videos without interviews or voiceover could include music with vocals. Use royalty-free music and sounds whenever possible. This ensures that your videos avoid copyright issues, strikes, or monetization restrictions on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Royalty-free music allows you to legally use, share, and monetize your content without worrying about legal consequences.

Recommended sources for free royalty-free music:

• YouTube Audio Library: Free music and sound effects for YouTube and other projects.
• Free Music Archive (FMA): Curated free tracks across genres.
• Incompetech: Free music by Kevin MacLeod (credit usually required).
• Bensound: High-quality royalty-free tracks for free with attribution.
• Pixabay Music: Completely free tracks for personal or commercial use.

Tip: Always double-check the license requirements for each track. Even free music may require attribution or have limitations on commercial use.

Sound effects: Ensure that sound effects sound natural and not distracting.

Audio mixing: Audio levels should not exceed -3dB. Music should be lower dB than voiceovers and interview audio.