Video, Filming & Editing
On this page you can find materials to help get you started with creating video content for your assignments at the conservatoire.
Welcome to Video, Filming & Editing Support
As part of your studies at the conservatoire, you may be asked to create videos demonstrating different competencies for your assignments.
You are not expected to become a film-maker in order to complete your assignments, but improving your video skills will benefit you whilst studying at the conservatoire as well as in your wider creative practice.
These materials are designed for beginners, with basic equipment available to them.
Capturing Video & Audio
How to film and record your footage.
Filming Tips & Tricks
This video talks you through the basics of filming using equipment you may already have.
Audio Device Cheat Sheet
How to choose the best device you have to record audio for a video!
There are two common types of videos you’ll have to film for your assignments: a video of you performing a piece of music or a spoken vlog, screencast, or presentation.
We’d recommend different devices for each of these scenarios.
Performing Music
Best Options: if you have it and can use it
External Microphone(s)
Portable Audio Recorder
DI (Direct Inject)
Good Options: will get usable results
Phone Mic
Camera Mic
Not Recommended: but will work if you have no other options
Headset Mic
Laptop Mic
Recording Speech
Best Options: if you have it and can use it
External Microphone(s)
Portable Audio Recorder
Good Options: will get usable results
Laptop Mic
Headset Mic
Not Recommended: but will work if you have no other options
Phone Mic
Camera Mic
Unless specified in the assignment brief, you are not assessed on the quality of your video/audio recording.
A good quality capture will help the contents of the video be clear to the assessor, but you are not expected to purchase expensive equipment in order to create videos.
If you have specialist equipment at your disposal then it would be great to use, but if not just do your best with what you already have!
Using headphones when recording is strongly recommended. Not only will it help you hear how the recording is sounding but help stop any “echo” or feedback.
Recording Screencasts & Video Presentations
Panopto Desktop App for Vlogs & Screencasts
You can use the Panopto Desktop App to create vlogs and screencasts for Panopto or Show assignments.
Panopto desktop app lets you capture multiple sources for a video, e.g. camera, mic, screen and desktop audio. See the Panopto Help Guides to find out more.
Creating Screencasts for File Upload Submissions
This is a guide specifically for online file hand-ins, not Show or Panopto assignments, when you are asked to record a screencast.
Video Editing
Preparing what you’ve captured for submission or sharing.
Keeping Things Simple
If all you need is to trim or cut some parts out of a video, this can be done online on Panopto once you’ve uploaded a video.
You can often do some trimming within the app you’ve recorded the video in, such as your phone’s photo library, or a native program like QuickTime.
Just because dedicated, advanced, video editing software exists, doesn’t mean you always have to use it!
Basic Editing Tools
For simple tasks like trimming your video.
Using Video Editing Software
Using video editing software allows you to use more advanced tools to produce your videos, be mindful that this can cause more problems than it solves if you are out of your comfort zone.
Before firing up a video editing app, think about whether you need to use something that complex or if you can achieve the same results using simpler tools.
Below is some information to get you started if you do decide you need to use video editing software.
Free Video Editing Software
Be aware that some of this software is not supported or provided by the conservatoire. We can offer advice, but it is your own choice if you wish to use them.
This list is not comprehensive, but these are our suggestions.
Beginner
Panopto (cross-platform)
Use for simple trimming and cutting of videos
ClipChamp (cross-platform)
A free version of the Microsoft created media editing software
Intermediate
Openshot (Windows, macOS, Linux)
An open source editing software
VN Video Editor (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android)
“Vlog Now” video editor, free editor on desktop and mobile
Wondershare Filmora (cross-platform)
30-day limited free version
Advanced
Only use these if you have to do something specific, that can’t be done in simpler software, and if you are confident with video editing.
DaVinci Resolve (Windows, macOS, Linux, iPad iOS)
Free video editing software
Final Cut Pro X (macOS)
90-day free trial available
If you choose to download and install these applications, you do so at your own liability. Leeds Conservatoire is only suggesting these applications, you are not required to use them. You should check the system requirements and compatibility with your own equipment before installing any software.
- Adobe Premiere Rush is also available on Windows and macOS, but only has a free trial period. ↩︎
Exporting Your Work
How to share your work in an acceptable format for submission.
Accepted Video Files at Leeds Conservatoire
When submitted video files for your assignments, you should always export them according to the house styles as detailed in the assignment guidelines.
Settings and Parameters
| File extension: | .mp4 or .mov |
| Video codec: | h.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) |
| Video resolution: | Up to Full HD (1920 X 1080 pixels) |
| Video bitrate: | Up to 8Mbps |
| Audio codec: | AAC |
| Audio sample rate: | 44.1kHz |
| Audio bitrate: | At least 192kbps |
| Maximum audio tracks per file | 1 (Stereo) – file must contain an audio track |
If your video does not meet the above requirements, it will likely fail to encode on Panopto, or could be incompatible with the marker’s device.
Please see our converting guide or re-export your video ensuring these parameters are met.