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Recording Tips and Tricks

⚠️ Uploads are due end of day July 18, 2021

This document provides guidance to make your recording for HashiTalks: Build an excellent experience for you and your audience.

Recordings will be published to the HashiCorp Resource Library and the HashiCorp YouTube Channel.

Please reach out to Kerim Satirli (kerim@hashicorp.com) or Taylor Dolezal (tdolezal@hashicorp.com) with any questions.

Recording

For a better attendee experience, we request that you record your session in two separate files:

  • “speaker view and speech,” that is: a camera (webcam, DSLR, etc.) pointed at you
  • “presentation view,” that is: a screen recording of your presentation

This approach allows us to carry out post-processing actions and correct issues as needed.

📢 Speaker View

This is you speaking to the camera!

Technical Requirements

  • resolution: min. 1080p (Full HD), max. 4k
  • frame rate: 30 fps
  • output format: MP4
  • audio: stereo with a bitrate of at least 320kbps

You can choose from the following applications to record your camera and speaker audio:

  • Adobe Premiere
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Apple QuickTime
  • Logi Capture
  • Microsoft Stream
  • Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
  • Zoom.us (using “record to this computer” option)

Video

  • record in a well-lit room
    • If you have access to an adjustable front light, set the colour temperature to 5700k to make it as close to daylight as possible.
    • When in doubt, record a short sample clip and send it over to provide pointers!
  • think about your background
    • the area behind you is your stage; feel free to make it represent who you are!
    • not keen on showcasing your background? You have options:
      • if you have a green screen, record in front of that
      • if you want to blur your background, use Zoom’s recording feature
  • think about your placement
    • make sure your camera lens sits at or above eye level, no higher than your hairline. remember not to sit too close to the camera capture your shoulders and your entire face with some room to spare apply the rule of thirds to position your body and eyes in the frame

Audio

  • record your speech with an external microphone
    • aim for maximum loudness level of -10dB and be lowest at -24dB to prevent distortion and optimal volume
    • if you do not have access to an external microphone, use a headset
  • keep the energy level of your voice throughout the recording
    • you might doze off a little bit throughout the presentation, especially since it’s virtual.
  • verify your recording area has no to little background noise
    • check if you have CPU intensive programs open while recording
      • you might not be able to avoid this entirely but try your best to minimize fan noises
      • if you have a demo, consider first recording it in video and narrating the playback
      • counter echoes by putting pillows, blankets, or towels on the floor
    • When in doubt, record a short sample clip and send it over so we can provide pointers!

The speaker view and speaker speech should be recorded in the same file.

⚠️ If you need to record speaker view and speaker speech in separate files, please make it easier for the editors by using a “clap sync” or clapper board.

📈 Presentation View

This is your presentation (slides and/or demo code).

Technical Requirements

  • resolution: min. 1080p (Full HD), max. 4k
  • frame rate: 30 fps
  • output format: MP4, QuickTime (MOV)

You can choose from the following applications to record your screen and windows:

  • Apple QuickTime
  • Telestream ScreenFlow
  • Microsoft Stream
  • Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
    • when using OBS, adding an audio source is great for the clap sync

Slides

  • Feel free to use a company-specific template if you have access to one
  • If you want to use a HashiCorp-branded template, you have two options:
    • external contributors: use the HUG template
    • internal contributors: use the HashiCorp template
  • Include a slide with your contact information for extra networking opportunities
  • If you show code as part of your slides, ensure the code meets the following guidelines:
    • The font is monospaced (fixed with)
    • use syntax highlighting when possible
    • adjust the font size to “reasonable” levels for the presentation

Demo

  • use “light mode” with the highest contrast for both editor, terminal, and browser windows
  • monospace code in editor / IDE interfaces
  • increase your font size
    • if your window is in full screen mode, the font size should be about 96 on this topographic scale
    • this will slightly differ between 4K and 1080p monitor resolutions
  • avoid showing multiple windows on the screen at the same time
    • maximize editor view, minimize other windows
    • focus on larger windows
    • switch between them to direct attention
  • disable notifications and sounds (unless required for presentation)

Uploading files

Please use this form to upload your presentation video, a PDF deck, and, optionally, a separate audio recording.

Required uploads

  • Speaker recording (video, 10 GB limit)
  • Presentation recording (video, 10 GB limit)
  • Presentation Deck (PDF, 100 MB limit)

Optional uploads

  • Speaker recording (audio, 1 GB limit)

⚠️ Uploads are due end of day July 18, 2021

Tips and Tricks

  • Presentations
    • keep the audience in mind: we expect to see technical presentations, code is welcome
    • when using the HashiCorp-branded HUG template, feel free to remove any slides that do not make sense for your type of presentation
  • Recording
    • application suggestions are given in alphabetical order. The list should not be considered exhaustive or ranked by order of preference.
    • Feel free to use any application that can satisfy the requirements we listed previously.