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SIGCSE TS 2023
Wed 15 - Sat 18 March 2023 Online and in Toronto, Canada
SIGCSE TS 2023 (series) / Blog Posts /
Delaram Yazdansepas
Delaram Yazdansepas
Loyola Marymount University
1 active roles in SIGCSE TS 2023

Best Practices for Video CreationMon 7 Nov 2022

Overview

As we get ready for SIGCSE TS 2023, we are so excited to help make the symposium as amazing for both online and in-person attendees! Part of that includes creating a video for your paper, poster, lightning talk, or demo. In order to ensure that everyone can enjoy your amazing video here are some requirements and some recommendations.

Requirements

  1. Format your file as an mp4 file and ensure that it is 8GB or less.
  2. Ensure that your video does not cover the text on your slides. Do a test recording so you know where your video will be in relation to your slides.
  3. Do not add your own captions, we’ll put them in for you, and you’ll be able to fix them before the video is finalized.
  4. Leave the bottom 25% of the video empty for captions. Either by leaving the bottom of your slides blank or adding a section under the slides. If you want a border on the bottom of the video, captions are placed on the video between the bottom 5% and 20%. See the example below of why we need this area blank. Notice how the captions are over the text in the slide.
  5. Avoid quick flashes as they may cause seizures for some viewers.

Example slide

example slide with captions burned over slide content

An example of why we need an area in the slides blank for captions. Notice how the captions are over the text in the slide.

Recommendations

As the remote world has expanded we each have different experiences working with video creation. Here are some things to consider that will help others enjoy your content more.

Universal Design Considerations

  1. Read the critical text and describe critical visuals. Ensure that blind attendees get the same information that sighted attendees get.
  2. Don’t rely on color. Consider alternatives like labels and patterns so that all participants including those affected by colorblindness can understand the information.
  3. If you plan to reuse your video slides for your in-person presentation, the projection systems at the venue are 16:9.
  4. Choose reading-friendly fonts whose letter shapes are easily recognized and differentiated, such as Arial, Verdana, and Tahoma.
  5. Ensure appropriate color contrast of your slides to make your content more visible for viewers. You can use WebAIM’s color contrast checker to verify.

Minimize Distractions with a Clean Look

  1. If you are recording your face or torso:
    • Have a solid color background that does not change as you record.
    • Select clothes that will not cause a moire effect or aliases in your video.
  2. Use an external microphone, such as headphones with a built-in microphone or a USB external microphone.
  3. Have consistent artificial lighting (sunny with clouds means lighting might change as you record) that is coming from behind the camera or have it bounce off of a white wall/ceiling to better diffuse it.
  4. Recommended: 1080p format (1920×1080 with a 16:9 aspect ratio). If you are unfamiliar with this do not worry about it.

Suggestions for Software (If you don’t already have a favorite)

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Jessica Yauney (Online Chair)
Kristin Stephens-Martinez (Hybrid Co-chair)
Delaram Yazdansepas (Hybrid Co-chair)