Steps Toward a Great Multimedia Project

Write a script

Save yourself time and hassle by preparing a script before you sit down to record. Having a script will also help you think about what kind of story you're telling and what images/video you will need to gather if there is a visual component to your project.

Plan a storyboard.

This step is often overlooked but can be very important, especially for videos. 
A storyboard for a multimedia project is like an outline for an essay. You plan out, step by step, what someone viewing your project will see, hear, and experience.

A storyboard shouldn't be set in stone but is a working document that you can adjust as you create your project. It provides guidance and a solid plan, and will take away a lot of the uncertainty in your project. It's also useful to start gathering your materials (pictures, audio, video) while creating a storyboard so you don't have to scramble to find them all later.

Record your voiceover / get your raw material.

  • USB Microphones are available at the Check Out Desk -- borrow for up to a week. An external mic like this will get you better sound quality than your phone or your laptop's built-in mic.

  • Use our sound-proofed Multimedia Production Rooms for making your recording. You can reserve them online.

  • If you do record using your phone, transfer the file by emailing it to yourself, uploading it to Google Drive, or connecting your phone to the computer with a cable.

Edit your voice over, music, and sound effects using Audacity.

Try to choose music and sound effects that won't be distracting if they are playing at the same time as your voiceover. Music without lyrics (instrumental) is best in the background. Adjust volume levels so your voiceover can be heard.

Remember to export from Audacity as an .MP3. To export as MP3, you will need the LAME Encoder (check instructions on the Audio page of this guide).

If you're creating a podcast or audio project, you're done! Otherwise, move ahead to the next step.

Add all media to video software and edit your project

Arrange video/images, set duration for each image or clip. Add your edited audio from Audacity.

Add video effects, transitions, and extra content such as text or title slides. Remember to include credits at the end for the media you used in your project. See the Finding Media to Use page for more info.

Export your movie (different from saving) and share

Make sure you export your movie in a viewable format. If it's too large to share with your professor by email, you can upload it to Google Drive. For more instructions on exporting, check the Video page of this guide.