One of the unique services of developing courses with UWEX is access to our media team to create a variety of custom media for your course. As you develop or revise your course, you will collaborate with your instructional designer and a media team representative to brainstorm and create unique and engaging media. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about coming to record media at our studio in Madison.
Does it take longer to come to Madison and record compared with doing the recording myself?
Recording your media in the studio saves time in the long run. With a little prep work on your end, all your media for the entire course is recorded within a few hours. The media team takes care of the technical setup, audio or video recording, file naming and saving, and any troubleshooting that may need to be done. All you need to do is come to the studio and the team takes care of the rest. You get to focus on the content of your course. The media team takes care of the asset creation and distribution. This can save a lot of time compared to the back and forth that may ensue if a potential media piece needs multiple takes to get it right. It also reduces the risk of files becoming corrupted and thus needing to be re-recorded.
What if I have a little bit of stage fright or don’t like the way my voice sounds?
Everyone feels this way from time to time. Our media team professionals will make you feel and look your best during your studio session. There’s no need to memorize lines as you’ll have access to a teleprompter to assist you with script delivery. Studio lighting is often more flattering than a computer webcam. High-fidelity audio and advanced camera setups ensure you will look and sound polished and professional. Studio-produced assets also provide more flexibility for post-production adjustments. Additionally, the media team members are excellent at providing nonjudgmental feedback to help you with your delivery. They can edit multiple takes together to create the best possible product.
“I had a fantastic day recording video with the media team. Having never done anything like this before, I was a bit intimidated by the studio and the process. But the media crew made me feel very relaxed and comfortable and showed me everything I needed to know to make my course videos successful.”
-Tim Knautz, UW-Parkside“The media team is the best! [They] helped me ease my tension. The media room is well organized, and it is easy to understand what is supposed to be done. I was nervous to do the video shoot, but when I went to the studio, [they] explained everything and made the entire process look so easy. I finally did the video shoot, and it was easy. I enjoyed it. Kudos to the media team for everything they did.”
-Raghava Gundala, UW-Parkside
Who will I work with once I am at the studio?
Coming into the studio is a great way to network and build relationships. When you record in the studio, it becomes a truly collaborative process between you, your ID, and a media team member. Often, “in-the-moment” ideas come up, such as adding a whiteboard or embedding a video or song. In these situations, you can work with your media person and ID to implement them on the spot.
Why should I record in the studio when I can record myself? Won’t that seem more personal?
The set can be decorated to reflect your personality and topics of the course. Because our media team takes care of all the technical details, you’ll even have time for wardrobe changes if you want to use clothing to tell your story. One faculty member wore a different rock band T-shirt for each video they created!
Many faculty appreciate The media team will help you produce content that will make your course stand out and look very professional. The pieces you record with UWEX can also be used with other UWEX courses you teach or in courses you teach on your home campus. Studio-recorded pieces proved consistent student experiences across UWEX courses.
“The amazing people at the UWEX media team make me feel like a rock star. They’ve helped me come up with plans, outlines, and scripts to deliver effective instructional content for my course. When I go to the studio, they make everything comfortable and relaxed, from the studio setup to them running the teleprompter to having bottles of water available to keep my voice working at full strength throughout the various recordings. And those special graphics and effects they create add a high production value to my course materials. I am so proud of what we’ve created!”
-J. Richard Freese, UW-Superior
Are there unique tools I will have access to if I record in the studio?
The media team has several unique tools to make your content stand out, allowing you to create a wide variety of unique media items. The media team can add animations and graphics to videos to enhance what you are saying and keep students engaged. They can record custom stock footage, including drone footage, to add authenticity. Tools like the Lightboard can provide a unique way to demonstrate content while maintaining a personal connection with students.
“…it was a smooth operation in terms of scheduling our time, working through the project plan and executing what I needed for the course. In the end, we ended up with some dramatic drone videos, and interviews with industry leaders. I also shot weekly introductions to the materials in the studio. They look highly professional and make me look better than I am. 🙂 I highly recommend the services of this team and look forward to working with them again in the future.”
-Steve Dunn, UW-Oshkosh
If you have recorded in the studio, we’d love to hear your feedback! Please reach out to Melissa Smiley, Director of Instructional Media to share your experience.
