Video can help make science approachable and accessible, but making video can be a daunting project. If your goal is to inform and engage, then posting frequent bits of short content is often the best course. How do you fit regular video production onto an already very full plate?

In this hands-on half-day workshop, we’ll work in small groups to record, edit, and upload a short video about your science, recording video on smartphones and editing on laptops with free software. The workshop aims to demystify the video-making process, inspiring participants to see video-making potential in their work, think more critically about visual storytelling, and be more informed consumers of video services.

Participants should bring smartphones and laptops with HitFilm Express or other editing software installed. 

In preparation, participants should decide on a particular study or problem that is ripe for video and think through the following questions: What’s new? Why does it matter? What’s next?

Bear in mind that the best length for Facebook sharing is 90 seconds and the maximum direct upload length for Twitter is 140 seconds. Photos of field work, lab work, and maps or figures in jpg or png format pre-loaded on your computer may also be helpful.

People retain 80% of what they see, 20% of what they read and 10% of what they hear. Videos can help your audience see your science.