Lightboard user manual

LightBoard, Feb 2018

LightBoard Video Recording Practices Overview This document is an introduction to LightBoard video recording practices and tips.

A LightBoard (a transparent board with special lighting) is used to record videos in which the instructor is facing the camera while speaking and writing. Please view a video that was recorded using a LightBoard to get an idea on how it works: LightBoard Video Demo.

The LightBoard in the FSU College of Education was acquired by STE using student tech fees and built by FSU Facilities.

LightBoard reserving procedures The LightBoard was acquired as part of the tech fees project proposed by STE. It is currently housed in STB G108 and can be reserved by any COE faculty at the STE front desk. For any additional booking inquiries please contact Zaneta Igbinoba (zherron@fsu.edu; 644-3423). If you need assistance with setting up, please contact OIIT at https://coe-help.coe.fsu.edu/portal LightBoard set up prior to recording You will need the following items for recording with the light-board equipment: • Digital camera, tripod, and SD card • Lighting set up on their stands (3 lights with stands) • Light-board with a remote control for color and LED lights, markers, and cleaning cloth • Black expandable backdrop • Power strips and extension cords We recommend selecting a location for recording with minimal lighting to avoid glare and to position the equipment as depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Light-board setup with camera and lighting placement 1

LightBoard, Feb 2018

For optimal quality we recommend both front and back lighting. Figure 2 shows the outcomes of different lighting setups with both front and back lighting giving the best results.

Figure 1. Front and back lighting shows best results when using both lights Setting up equipment • Prepare the backdrop and get it into position (Appendix A). You may need assistance from another person to stand the backdrop up as it is tall.

• Wheel the LightBoard into position making sure the presenter has enough room to stand between the backdrop and the LightBoard for presenting.

• Set up the camera with its tripod and move it into position so that when recording it will only see inside the frame of the LightBoard.

• Position the front lights as illustrated in Figure 1. Place them pointing in the direction of where the presenter will be standing, but move them back far enough so that there will be no glare on the LightBoard that is visible in the camera recording.

• Find a good place for the back light, either side of the backdrop should be fine. Point it at the presenter to give him/her full illumination. Move the light back far enough so that it is not in the picture and to make sure there is no glare on the LightBoard that is visible in the camera recording.

• It may take repositioning the lighting several times to acquire best results. The outcomes from the different lighting positions showing front only, back only, or both front and back are presented in Figure 2. Using both front and back lighting provides the best results.

Tech troubleshooting tips It is easy to miss-snap the backdrop clips, thus please ensure that each snap is properly fixed.

See Figure 3 to see the correct way to lock the clips.

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LightBoard, Feb 2018

Figure 2. How to properly snap the clips on the backdrop when setting it up

Ensure that the lights are fixed to their stands all the way. The metal piece of the stand should fit all the way into the light’s base, then the bolt can be fastened (Figure 4).

Figure 3. Attaching the light to the stand

If the remote is not working to turn on the LED light strip or to change color of the lights inside the LightBoard, try pointing the remote directly at the RF receiver on the left side of the LightBoard. See Figure 5.

Figure 5. RF receiver for the remote located on the left side of the LightBoard 3

LightBoard, Feb 2018

Preparing for recording ● Clothing ○ The backdrop of the LightBoard video is black. It is best to wear light colored clothing so it will show up against the backdrop. See Figure 6. ○ You will wear a lapel mic during video recording. Please wear clothing that accommodates a lapel mic. ○ Please wear comfortable shoes. You will be standing during recording.

Figure 6. Screen capture from LightBoard video Tip: Avoid white or black clothing if possible. Do not wear clothing with logos and images (images will be reversed in post-production of video). ●

Setup ○ ○ ○ ○

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Set board position Set camera position Set lighting Determine pen color (follow ADA guidelines, consider students who might be color blind) ■ Be consistent with color choice throughout Mark glass for boundaries of what the camera will capture (Figure 7).

■ Use a black dry erase marker to mark most top, bottom, left, and right boundaries.

■ Consider height of instructor and comfortable reach when writing.

■ Verify that anything within these marks will remain on camera.

■ If instructor is using notes, make sure they are outside of camera view.

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LightBoard, Feb 2018

Figure 7 (Left) Camera capturing LightBoard area. (Right) View captured by camera ○

Mark glass for boundaries of writing space(s). See Figure 8.

■ Decide how much writing space is needed ● Write legibly (do not use cursive; student will read printed text easier)

Figure 8. Instructor writing spaces highlighted Tip: When writing on a LightBoard, preserve space by writing at about ½ inch (approximately half the size you use in a classroom). When videos are viewed through a device (TV, computer monitor, smartphone, etc.) the writing will appear legible to a viewer. ○ Mark glass speaking areas for when not writing, but speaking to camera ( Figure 9).

Figure 9. Instructor speaking area highlighted.

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LightBoard, Feb 2018

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Mark glass props areas (if any). See Figure 10. ○ Props are objects used during the video ○ PowerPoint slides are added in post-production

Figure 10. Text and PowerPoint slide added in post-production Conduct test recording (10-15 sec) ■ Verify audio ■ Verify framing areas Immediately prior to recording ● Secure quiet environment ○ Silence phones and any other devices that might interrupt the recording ○ Post a sign on the door not to be disturbed ● Position speaking notes and props before you start recording ● Bring drinking water During recording ● Use microfiber cloths to clean the board ● Use regular speaking voice ● Make sure you move to a speaking area and look at camera when not writing Tips: Consider natural flow of your presentation, then adjust duration of each segment accordingly (approximately 8-12 minutes each). Be cautious of a file size. A standard 10-minute recording at 1080p HD is approximately 1GB. Post-production You may use any video editing software to perform the following procedures. ● Editing video ○ Consider length of your segment Tips: • Create title slides that can be reused later to reduce post production time.

• Use video transition cross dissolve and audio transition crossfade →Constant Gain 6

LightBoard, Feb 2018

•

Use video transition cross dissolve and audio transition crossfade → Exponential Fade

Preparing video for distribution ○ Follow guidelines of your academic program for video distribution ■ Canvas ■ Kaltura ■ YouTube Additional resources LightBoard diigo

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LightBoard, Feb 2018

Appendix A Black Backdrop Assembly to Be Used with the LightBoard

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