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Synopsis

If you are creating your own video, this page describes some tips for making the creation of a captioned video or podcast more efficient.

Script and Storyboard

The most time consuming step of creating a caption is recreating a transcript (i.e. transferring audio dialogue to text). If a video or audio project can be scripted ahead of time this script can become the basis of a transcript. Media Commons tutorials includes storyboarding templates.

The other advantage of developing a script is that the performers may read the words more smoothly. Storyboarding can also shorten the duration of a shoot because actions and examples are planned ahead of time. As Tech Smith notes, “A good script can spell the difference between a short, clear and concise video and one that rambles and loses focus.

This process will not work for interviews, but even knowing and writing down which questions to ask may make the transcription task easier in the long run.

Additional Tutorials

Ensure Good Audio Quality

Ensuring good audio quality during recording is another way to make obtaining a transcript easier. Anyone listening to a video or audio after the fact will have a better chance of understanding the content, and this can speed up the transcription process. It can also facilitate a process using speech recognition. The Penn State Media Commons site includes microphone and sound level tutorials.

Train a Speech Recognition Engine

If an instructor plans to make a large volume of recordings, it may be worth investing in a speech recognition program for the instructor. That person can create a profile and facilitate the captioning process later.

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