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Office of Information Technology
Academic Technology Support Services
Our course and media production services encompass all phases of a full-scale production cycle: needs and feasibility assessment, instructional design and planning, production, and evaluation. We produce resources such as Moodle course sites, online learning modules, learning objects, video lectures, simulations, and more. This service is available free of charge to University faculty and staff who would like to design and produce learning resources for face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses.
Course Production:
Our course design and production process reflects our commitment to high-quality outcomes and meeting your goals and objectives. Learn more about the process, and explore guidelines and examples.
Media Production:
Our media specialists are available to work with you to create recorded lectures, interviews, demonstrations, learning objects, and other videos for your course or other academic project. Learn more about the process, and explore guidelines and examples.
To request assistance:
Email: atss@umn.edu
Website: z.umn.edu/video
Video and Conferencing Services
Video and conferencing services offered through the Office of Information Technology provide a range of solutions from self-service video creation to full-service video support and consultations.
Self-service Options
TechSmith relay is software that captures computer screen action with the ability to narrate over it using the computer's built-in or external camera and microphone. After the video is captured, it can be uploaded to the media site of choice.
For similar functionality to TechSmith, but at a higher production quality, there are 1:button Studio spaces made for easy studio production. The studio is a fully automated HD recording space and already has the equipment (camera, microphone, lighting, backdrop) set-up to make a professional video. When done, the link to download the video is sent to the user's e-mail.
If you need reservable studio space for creating a video, the sound studio is available. It’s similar to 1:button, but the user must provide the equipment, such as the camera, lights and microphones and operate them.
Production Options
For events that need video recording, like a panel or important meeting, video production assistants are available with professional camera and microphone recording capabilities. They can either set up the event for streaming and/or provide the recorded footage after.
Video Assets
For video editing, U of M has a license for completely royalty-free access to stock video and audio clips as well as images. Users can download as many as needed, free of charge.
Consultations
For users and circumstances where expert help is needed, consultations are available. The video team can help think through unique requests, goals and challenges and provide recommendations. This includes elements such as finding appropriate video crews, locations, and determining how to share or stream the event and make sure it happens seamlessly.
Printing Services
Printing Services helps departments bring the University’s key messages to life by employing an Integrated Production Approach to communications that effectively reaches targeted audiences through a diverse combination of traditional and new media. An extensive range of services are available that meet the unique needs of the University, including graphic design, web development/online marketing, video production, augmented reality development, digital and offset printing, and mailing. Printing Services has the resources to carry out the most diverse and innovative campaigns. Projects are executed efficiently and effectively using the latest technologies—and always completed within the context of a committed University perspective.
Video Services
Printing Services provides complete video production and post-production services for short- to medium-length professionally-produced videos. An in-house videographer can shoot on location or in-studio with chroma screen (green screen) technology. Professional camera and audio equipment, 3-point lighting, and various backdrops are available, and a full creative staff can create University-branded static and motion graphics that help convey an accurate and engaging story.
Services include:
- Promotional videos
- Departmental overview videos
- Facilities overview videos
- Testimonials
- Fundraising videos
- Motion graphics/animations
- Animated logos
- Video openings
- Lower third graphics
- Animated infographics
- Videos for augmented reality
- Welcome videos
- Retirement/tribute videos
- Time-lapse videos
Video services are billed to the department at $100/hr, and University EFS billing makes payment simple. Any incidentals or costs associated with the video (additional equipment or space rentals, props, etc.), will be passed on to the department. Printing Services will provide a cost estimate before work begins.
To view a video portfolio, request more information, or initiate a video project, visit Printing Services' Video Services page.
For more information about augmented reality services, visit Printing Services' Augmented Reality page.
University Relations
University Relations focuses primarily on providing services for the common good. These services generally include projects that promote the President’s priorities and broader U of M-wide initiatives, rather than accomplish a unit-specific objective. Examples include safety communications, videos that highlight or promote the Driven to Discover brand, strategic plan communications, etc.
There is no fee, but the project should meet the criteria listed above. Any incidentals or costs associated with the video (equipment or space rentals, props, etc.), will be covered by the College or unit. There will be an agreed-upon cost estimate before work begins.
Criteria for determining if your project fits into University Relations scope of work:
- Is the content of the project aligned with the University brand, Driven to Discover? Does it promote the institution as a whole?
- Can the project be leveraged or shared more broadly through public relations or marketing activities?
- If the project is specific to or promotes your College, unit, or group, please explore the other options listed in this document.
To request video assistance from University Relations, submit a project request.
Placing Your Video on YouTube
The UMN YouTube channel is part of the official YouTube EDU consortium, which is made up of higher ed institutions around the country. Our channel's primary focus is to include UMN branded videos of promotional and news-oriented content in order to enhance the reputation of the University, build awareness of our mission, research, and outreach. If your video content is related to courses or is non-promotional/news-oriented in nature, consider posting to your own channels.
Video and Photo Assets
For your video editing needs, University Relations maintains the photo and video library. Here faculty and staff can download as many assets as desired, free of charge.
Considerations for Using an Outside Vendor
- Review vendor’s work prior to selecting to confirm their style, approach, and fees are the best fit for your project
- Plan to have video captioned for accessibility; YouTube offers automatic captioning, but remember to check for accuracy.
- Ensure vendor is aware of and follows the University’s brand standards: brand.umn.edu
- The video should clearly convey it is from the University of Minnesota
- Use branded end cards found on this website
- Include maroon and gold whenever possible
Considerations When Creating a Video
Find the core idea for the video. What is the theme in a word or two?
Once you identify the core, you can determine if video is the best tool for communicating this information. “Video shines at communicating motion and emotion. Facts and figures? Not so much.” (How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck, Steve Stockman, 2011.)
- What can be told through pictures alone is best done that way.
- If it occurs to you that something might be cut, it should be cut.
- Help viewers see themselves as the hero of the story.
- Copy a great example.
- Great art hides art. Don’t show off your cleverness.
- Always try to do the most with the least.
Weighted criteria for a good cut in a video:
- Emotion 51%
- Story 23%
- Rhythm 10%
- Eye-trace 7%
- Two-dimensional plane of screen 5%
- Three-dimensional space of action 4%
The raw conclusion is that when it comes to video, emotion trumps everything else combined.