Do you know how to record a quick and dirty 'Done Video'?

Last updated by Brady Stroud [SSW] 7 days ago.See history

When you've finished a PBI you should record a video to send to your Product Owner and anyone else that is interested. A 'Done' video is much better than a screenshot because you are proving the PBI workflow actually works. Even better, this video can double as documentation or release notes for your users.

When deciding whether a PBI might be a good contender to record a Done video for, consider these factors:

  1. Is it a key piece of functionality that has high business value?
  2. Would it be difficult to quickly demo in the Sprint Review without a video?
  3. Is it UI heavy? i.e. Would the video be compelling?

Choosing software to record your screen and camera together:

Tip #1: Clipchamp is recommended because it is easy to use both for recording and editing, completely free, and offer direct uploads to YouTube.

Tip #2: Zoom, and Microsoft Teams are cloud-based services, so consider whether an option such as Snagit, Loom or Clipchamp that records locally is more appropriate. If you record with Zoom, post-production editing will be required.

Choosing software to edit your video:

  • Basic editing: Video Editor (for Windows), iMovie (for Mac)
  • Advanced editing: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut, DaVinci Resolve

For a Quick and Dirty Done Video

Here's a video describing how to record and edit a quick Done video using Clipchamp:
Tip: Jump to 04:31 for how to record screen and webcam.

Video: BEST Clipchamp Video Editing Tips and Tricks (14 min)

Here's a video describing how to record a quick Done video using OBS:

Video: How to Record your Computer Screen & Webcam in OBS Studio (8 min)

Note: The PIP will be baked in and cannot be altered later.

For a more professional video that requires some editing

Here's a quick video describing how to record your webcam and screen separately in high-resolution using OBS for post-processing and editing:

Video: How to Record Webcam and Game Separately in OBS Studio | Tutorial (10 min)

Note: You will be able to alter the PIP, remove it, go full screen on your face... whatever

Switching Scenes in OBS - it is quite easy to do with these simple steps using OBS Hotkeys!

Video: How To Switch Scenes In OBS Easily! (OBS Hotkeys) | Tutorial (4 min)

Here's a quick video describing how to record and edit a quick Done video using Camtasia.

Video: Make a Quick and Dirty "Done" video in Camtasia (2 min)

Camtasia Tips

Tip #1: Camtasia - See great example by Ben Cull

E.g. A real example of a 'Done Video' with fades:

Video: SSW TimePRO - Power BI Ad-Hoc Reporting (4 min)

Tip #2: Camtasia - Fix the audio before making any cuts to the video

After recording your video, you need to do some basic sound processing to make the audio awesome.

  • In the Timeline, select the clip with the audio
  • On the top left panel, click ‘Audio Effects’ and drag the ‘Levelling’ effect onto your clip
  • On the timeline, move the new audio meter up just until the audio waveform is about to hit the top
  • Listen and adjust as necessary

    audio effects panel
    Figure: Camtasia - audio effects panel with the compressor

Tip #3: Camtasia - Fade-out and fade-in the video track of your face

  1. With the video track of your face selected, click on Animations (1). Track 3 in the image below.
  2. Select the No Opacity (2) animation effect for the fade-out.
  3. Drag and drop the No Opacity effect (3) to the point in the track where you want to fade-out. Adjust the start and end point of the fade using the handles on the animation arrow.
  4. Select the Full Opacity (4) animation effect for fade-in.
  5. Drag and drop the Full Opacity effect (5) to the point in the track where you want to fade-in. Adjust the start and end point of the fade using the handles on the animation arrow.

fade in and out
Figure: Camtasia - Steps for adding fade-out/fade-in animation to video track of your face in 'Done' video

Tip #4: Camtasia's Final Step – Export your video

Follow the steps to export your video:

  1. Click the Share button on the top right of the window

    export video1
    Figure: How to share

  2. In the new dialog, select 'Custom production settings':

    export video2
    Figure: Production settings

  3. In the next window, uncheck the ‘Produce with controller’ option:

    export video3
    Figure: Controller settings

  4. In the ‘Video settings’ tab, copy these settings:
  5. Frame Rate: 30
  6. H.264 Profile: High
  7. Encoding mode: Quality
  8. Increase the quality to 100%

    export video4
    Figure: Copy these video settings

  9. In the ‘Audio settings’ tab, make sure the Bit rate is set to 320 kbps:

    export video5
    Figure: Audio settings

  10. Click Next and save your file!

Example of a good Done Video

Video: Good example - Record yourself and your screen | SSW Error Handler (4 min)

Looking to improve your videos?

Once you've followed the steps above to set up your device and you are ready to record, see our tips here for the key steps to make a great 'Done Video'

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