Best practice guidance: library skills videos

There are Camtasia templates to use to ensure a consistent visual identify.

Download the appropriate folder of template files from the Library Skills Trainers Moodle course to a computer with Camtasia installed. The folder includes all files that are required to make the template work, and an MP4 video which shows how the elements of the template should appear in a completed video.

The different elements of the template are explained below.

The templates can be be used to:

If using Camtasia 8 you will not be able to open the template. Instead import the individual jpg files into your media library so you can insert them into your timeline. Follow instructions for each element below for formatting and transitions.

• The title slide should transition using the ‘slide right’ transition after 2-3 seconds
• Duration of the ‘slide right’ transition should be 15 frames (00:00:00;15)
• Your title slide and text should be on track 2 and 3 and overlay track 1 so that it transitions to reveal your opening image, where  Track 1 is always your opening image.
• Always use title (max 3-5 words) and subtitle left justified. The first letter of the first word only should be capitalised.
• Font colours: black (throughout the whole video).

It is preferred that library site names are not included where possible so that videos may be used across the Service in the widest possible contexts. If you do wish to include your library name or logo, this may be inserted in the bottom right hand corner of the title slide as text or as an image.

If you wish to insert a logo, you must use a logo image file which has a transparent background to retain the shade of the title slide. Alternatively you can use the white title slide from the template if your logo has a white background.

• Section titles whould have a choice of coloured rectangle backgrounds to match the title slide.
• Section titles should be positioned towards the bottom on the left hand side. Copy position from template to get correct position.
• Text should have the first letter of the first word only capitalised. Maximum two lines of text.
• Font colours: black (throughout the whole video).
• If you wish to create a title rectangle from scratch:
  • Go to Call Outs and insert a Simple Rectangle.
  • Format the rectangle using one of the three standard colours (highlight the rectangle on your timeline, go to ‘Fill’, select ‘More fill colours…’ and edit the RGB values): 
    Blue Celeste: RGB 164 219 232
    Light Green: RGB 187 197 146
    Stone: RGB 214 210 196
  • Simple Rectangle opacity: 85%
  • Remove any shape outline
• The caption (rectangle and text) should appear on screen to allow enough time for the text to be read aloud.
• Each caption (rectangle and text) should have fade in and fade out (fade duration is 00:00:00;06)

Use a 1 second Slide Left transition at the beginning. The transition should be overlaid on the closing scene of your film so that it wipes out to reveal the UCL Library Services Logo.