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Video recording | Camera and release

  • If you are not using a camera we provided, please send  us your video files using a common file format:
    • .mp4 | .mov | .wmv | .m4v
  • If you use your cell phone to record, you must hold the phone horizontally.

When approaching students, inform them:

  • Who you are
  • Topic you are recording videos on
  • Questions you are asking
  • Where a student can find his or her interview

Video release:

  • Prior to recording the interviews, please have your interviewees speak the following release on camera:
    – “I [NAME] give Student Health 101 and [SCHOOL] permission to use this video.”
  • We will edit the release out of your final videos.

Video recording | Recruiting tips

Find people to interview

  • Approach student groups on campus. You can get more interviews at once, and if friends within the group are taking part in the interviews, others may feel more comfortable partaking as well.
  • Use social media platforms to find interested students. For example, post status updates about what upcoming topics you’ll be discussing in Student Health 101 and ask students to message you if they’re interested in participating.
  • Find students to interview at health and wellness events. If they’re at these events, they’re most likely interested in their health and would take part in an interview for Student Health 101.
  • Go to areas with high student traffic, such as bus stops, waiting rooms, recreation centers, libraries, etc.
  • Ask a professor or instructor to make an announcement during class about the interviews.
  • Inform students that the interview videos will only be used for Student Health 101 purposes. While we do ask for their last names for liability purposes, they are not displayed in the publications.
  • Approach students in common areas in residence halls, or ask RA’s to help recruit their residents.
  • Plan ahead and try to schedule an interview in advance. Provide your interviewee with the topic and questions beforehand.
  • Emphasize that these video interviews are quick, easy, and fun!

Video recording | Student information

  • In addition, please gather the following information from your interviewees:
    – First last name
    – Major
    – Class year
    – Email address
  • This information will be included below the student video in the magazine to identify him or her.
  • When interview begins, please have interviewee state his or her name and major.
  • After the student states their name and major, have him or her pause and smile.
    – This will be used as a still image for their video.
  • You can appear on camera with your interviewees:
    – To put interviewees at ease.
    – To engage more with students.

OR

  • You can also ask questions behind the camera:
    – To operate the camera independently.
    – To highlight the student.
  • Each video should be one to two minutes in length.

Video recording | Interview tips

  • The main point of the interviews is to get your peers actively talking about their health and wellness and to create healthy messaging that highlights positive behaviors and attitudes.
  • In order to do this, you need to be gathering in-depth information from your interviewees about their behaviors and thoughts on your topic.

Here are some tips to help you do so:

  • Ask questions that require more than a simple “yes” or “no.”
    – This gives you a chance to follow-up on their initial response.
    – Ask open-ended questions that require a bit of explanation to answer properly.
    – “Tell me how you feel about…?”
    – “What are your thoughts on…?”
  • Ask follow-up questions to prompt interviewee to elaborate on their initial response.
    – Ask about details they provided in a previous response to receive a more in depth answer.
  • Utilize the information you gathered while reviewing past articles.
    – Provide them with statistic or fact you were surprised about.
    – Ask them their thoughts on it. This allows you to educate while engaging the student.

Video recording | Technical tips

  • Film in a quiet, well-lit location.
    – Try to prevent excess background noise.
    – Pay attention to the lighting of your filming location.
  • We do suggest filming indoors.
    – Film outside only if there is little wind.
    – We have limited ability to edit background noise.
  • If using your phone to record, you must hold it horizontal.
  • Maintain a stable hand or place the camera on a solid surface to prevent shaking.
  • Ask the interviewees to speak loudly

Video recording | Intro video

  • After student interviews are collected, please record a short video of yourself. This should include:
    – A self-introduction
    – An introduction on the topic
    – Relevant information on your topic utilizing the articles you read
  • This video helps inform students who you are and allows you to provide education on your chosen health topic.
  • Use your creativity to produce entertaining introduction videos to encourage students to visit your segment each month.

Example:

“Hi, my name is John, and I am the Campus Correspondent here at School University. For the September edition of Student Health 101, I went around campus to get feedback and stories from other students on body image. Did you know that over 80 percent of students polled by Student Health 101 said they often wish their bodies looked differently? Maintaining a positive body image is an important part of your self-esteem. Having a poor body image is linked to more serious problems such as disordered eating and depression. Listen to School’s responses on body image here.”