I currently use Camtasia Studio for recording video tutorials. However, I find that even the simplest video requires me to record at least 10 takes. I find the subtle errors and mistakes I make annoying, even when following a script. While Camtasia has some built in editing tools, it's overly obvious when a video is edited, and I feel that can be annoying to the viewer. As a result I find myself constantly reshooting to get that pefect take.
Has this been your experience? If not, what do you do differently?
1. Write the script.
2. Record the voiceover in Logic Express and export as MP3. Logic Express is helpful for moving tracks around, evening out volume levels, compressing tracks, adding background music, etc. Leaving extra space at the beginning helps ensure you’re ready to shoot when the audio begins.
3. Create a fake account flush with data so the video shows how an account looks when it’s active (but without revealing anyone’s confidential data).
4. Shoot the video while listening to the voiceover track. I use Snapz Pro, shooting at 15 fps, for this. (This step can require some adjustments in spacing on the audio track to make sure things sync up properly.)
5. Combine audio and video in Quicktime Pro. Export as .avi file.
6. Import the .avi file into Camtasia for final editing, adding zooms and pans, exporting to Flash, etc.