2009 Annual Meeting Electronic Media Education Program Application

Deadline July 15, 2008

Tips for Video Production

Video is one of medical education's most effective and widely used instructional formats. Award winning educational programs reflect the planning and teamwork that go into making a video program. Because the Academy recognizes the enduring value of this medium, the Multimedia Education Center Subcommittee invites you to consult with staff in the Electronic Media and Evaluation Department for assistance in planning, producing, and submitting a video.

Preproduction planning
Preproduction planning is a critical success factor in creating an award winning program. A written video treatment, describing the context, content, and process for creating the finished product, should be prepared to communicate to the video production team answers to the following questions:

• Who is your audience?
• What is your purpose or educational goal i.e., what do you want to accomplish with the video?
• What are the important teaching points that must be addressed?
• What do you want the viewer to see (graphics, live action, illustration, animation) and when?
• What do you want the viewer to hear (e.g. narration), and when?
• How and when will each step in the production process be completed (e.g., script writing, content development, scheduling, video production, editing)?
• Have manual exposure control available.
• Manual focus is preferable because the auto focus will constantly try to readjust, thus disorienting the viewer.
• Affix the video camera to a tripod or Operating Room light, to stabilize the picture.
• Evenly light the operating field and surrounding area. Aside from the OR light, add one additional wide, soft light to show patient positioning, equipment setup, or peripheral tools in use.

Maximizing the Impact of Video

Video is a medium of motion: the effectiveness of video declines with still shots, talking heads, slides, and excessive use of text graphics.

Use wide angle shots to capture context (a view of the surroundings for proper orientation).

Use close-ups to show important detail, demonstration, anatomy.

Use music and special effects sparingly.

Use a narrator with a strong clear voice; consider using a professional narrator.

Keep comments germane to the onscreen action.

Use medical illustrations that meet television aspect ratio standards (i.e., four units across to three units in height).

Edit the final program to omit repetitive, non-essential surgical actions like dissection, clamping, and suturing.

Start the recording early, by at least 30 seconds before you are ready to speak. The machine needs time for the tape to get up to speed, and if you start talking immediately after starting the machine, that beginning will be lost.

Wait until the subject is in focus and in frame before you talk about it.

Arthroscopy: Orient frequently by pointing out landmarks.

Do not make teaching points while running a saw, burr or blade. The machine noise overshadows your voice.

Last Minute Tips

• Outline the procedure, including the steps in the procedure and camera action, prior to taping.
• Rehearse. Once you begin a procedure, it is difficult to go back. This may entail doing a dry run recorded on an audiotape only so you can make sure you didn't miss anything.
• It is preferable to wear surgical gloves that are anything but white; white surgical gloves will impact the camera lens exposure, making the field too bright. Lowering the exposure to accommodate the gloves will darken the surgical area.
• A large video monitor in your field of view while operating is often helpful to ensure that the shot is accurate and that you are conveying what you want your audience to see.
• Do not shoot the screen or monitor.
  • To include images from arthroscopy, use the recorder on the scope cart.
  • For X-rays, shoot the x-rays on the light box.
  • For Fluoroscopy, record still images, and voice over each still image; or, if using a moving fluro segment, send the video signal directly to the recorder.
• Work that takes place outside the operative field, for example, graft preparation, should take place in a new area, such as a back table, which can be easily shot in a new or separate segment. Hold the graft, instrument, or device away from your body while you work to ensure that the area is well lit and in the field of view of the camera.
• Orientation is key when you take yourself out of the Operating Room and review a video. If you can understand where things are in relation to the patient, so will your audience. If you watch a surgical video and are lost, so will your audience be.
• Remember, just because you saw something during the surgery, your audience may not see it due to camera angle, lighting, or the view is blocked, i.e. hands or head in the scene. Review your video.