Tips for recording your presentation to video

Check the requirements first

Before including video of yourself speaking as part of your presentation, check the requirements posted by the event organizers. The organizers may prefer presenters do not include video of themselves speaking.

• If there is no preference stated as part of the requirements, please contact the organizers directly.
• CATALYST Technical Support will not have this information.

Video affects file size

Recording video of yourself along with your presentation will make your presentation's file size significantly larger.

• This could impact your audience members with slower internet connections.
• If the event organizers set a file size limit for video, recordings that include video of the speaker will reach the limit much faster.
• Your recording's primary focus should be on the content of your presentation.

Use a photo

If you can't insert webcam video alongside your presentation, but feel it's important for your audience to connect faces to your presentation, consider adding a slide with a photo of yourself.

• After the title slide, it is customary to use the second second slide of the presentation to introduce the presenter, with full name, credentials, and affiliations. This is the perfect place to include professional photos of the presenter or the authors.
• It's common to include contact information on the last slide of the presentation. This could be an alternative place to include professional photos.

Dress for the part

If you are able to include webcam video with the recording, these steps will help improve the quality of the video from your camera:

1. Try to record yourself against a flat, neutral background, like a wall or sheet.
   • The more visual clutter or movement that is behind you, the more likely your video recording quality will be poor or a much larger file size.
     
2. Wear clothing that is the opposite of your background's tone.
   • If you are against a light background, wear a darker shirt. If your background is dark, wear a light or white shirt. Your webcam will work best if it can find a good contrast between you and your background.
     
3. Frame your full head and shoulders in the camera picture.
   • There should be a little space between the top of your head and the top of the video frame.
   • The bottom of the video frame should come to the middle of your chest.
     

Prepare your computer for recording

Recording your presentation will take time and preparation to get right. We recommend getting started at least a week before the submission deadline to practice and record your presentation.

1. Quit all software not related to giving your presentation. In particular:
   • Any software running in the background that may interrupt your recording with pop-up or sound notifications, such as email, instant messaging, or antivirus monitoring.
   • Automatic backup software, which could cause the recording to stutter if it starts backing up your computer during your presentation.
2. If you are connected to a VPN, disconnect from it, as it will interfere with recording.
3. Have your presentation open and ready to present.
4. Open your recording software.
5. Test your computer microphone to be sure it is picking up your voice.
6. If possible, point your recording software to the presentation window and not your entire computer screen.
7. Record a few minutes of your presentation as a test to see if everything is working correctly. After viewing the result, make any adjustments to the microphone or video settings as needed.
8. Start a new recording session and record your full presentation.

Using the Recording Software

Click here to explore recommendations for recording software.