The past two weeks of SafetyXChange's Training & Leadership Weekly have been dedicated to the internal creation and use of videos as a training tool. We asked you, the members, to weigh in with your thoughts on the topic. Here's what you had to say.

1. Concentrate on the Message Rather than the Medium

When preparing new presentations, I use a rule of thumb allowing 10:1 preparation time to delivery time. For short talks, say five minutes, it goes to 20:1 or more. Another rule of thumb for "acceptably low" quality video production might be 100:1, of which about an hour per minute is back-end editing. Your two hours for six minutes (times how many other people were involved) is not bad.

The more I think about it, the better your point gets, when you say in the video that people say they do not want their photograph taken, but love to look at the picture. I would propose that concept is three times more relevant, about being on video. Too bad our increased "security measures" here would turn videos of actual workplace activities into an administrative approval quagmire <grin>.

The video quality issue is two edged. On one hand, the public is becoming used to the amateur (i.e. very poor) quality material being shown on broadcast TV as "police chases" and "funniest videos". Simultaneously, the minimally acceptable quality standards have gotten far higher for commercials, music videos, movie special effects, and (the soon to be mandatory) high definition television.

We need to keep reminding ourselves it is the "message not the medium" that is important. Our training delivery medium might be a tailgate chat, lecture with viewgraphs, video, or downloaded interactive multimedia. Each mode can be (and has been) abused. Meanwhile, retention of the message by the adult audience is still the objective. If your video helps keep the message in the minds of the receivers, then you have been successful.

Dick Schwanke
Army Research Laboratory

2. Share the Task

I think this is a great idea! I liked the video also; just the right length, and to the point on the topic. This is great information for our health and safety bulletin board.

One more suggestion (as if you haven't received enough already) would be for the company's employees in each craft (mechanical, electrical, maintenance, etc.) to designate someone from their particular area to present a five minute video regarding any safety item/concern they would have.

Each group would collaborate for the safety topic/concern and related items needed to comprise the video. The group could even present a short video of safety problems routinely encountered from day-to-day activities on the job.

Melitha Russell

3. Free Downloads Can Help

Although professional video editing software such as Final Cut Studio carries a price tag of $1300USD, many amateur video enthusiasts are forging ahead into the creative world of video production using programs like Windows Movie Maker, which is a FREE DOWNLOAD, and runs on your PC. Once you have your footage in a digital format, this type of program will allow you to add effects, transitions, and overlays to your video to create dynamic, enjoyable safety training tools.

I am not endorsing Movie Maker, as I am a 'Mac baby' myself (you know, born and raised on a Mac), but if you are interested in investigating its potential further there is a forum at http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/Default.aspx that may answer some of your questions.

One important thing to remember when planning to create your own videos is this...garbage in, garbage out. Your final production will only be as good as the initial capture. The integration of an impressive soundtrack and whizzy graphics will round out your overall presentation, but cannot mask poorly recorded audio or low quality video. Be sure to consider this when planning your shoot. If at all possible, use a wireless lavalier mic on your talent to obtain clear voice recordings. Be sure your set is well lit and the camera is mounted on a tripod. It is also important to spend some time creating a storyboard before you begin to shoot. This will give you a clear map of the shots you need, and help your talent feel more relaxed on screen.

Angela Hook
H2OKay Creative

4. Keep Your Old Video Cameras

For both amateurs and professionals alike, video cameras have come of age. The evolution of high-quality digital video has many older analog video formats like 8mm, Hi-8, and VHS-C, headed for a quick retirement – but are they really obsolete? Don't be so quick to give away or sell these old video cameras. They may still have a purpose!

These older analog cameras can have a great new life as your 'stunt double'. Instead of risking your new (and usually expensive) digital gear for those shots where the camera can get easily dropped, wet, dirty, broken or even stolen, let your old video camera stand in!

Why not experiment using 'Helmet cams', 'Bike cams', 'Forklift cams' and the favorite 'Outside the car window cam'. Having a more dispensable video camera handy may allow you to think a bit more 'out of the box' with your next video projects.

Personal voice recordings can also be used to help customize 'talking' slide shows or home videos. Just because you missed the sounds when you shot the video or took the photos doesn't mean that you can't add audio later.

Jeff Hook
H2OKay Creative

5. Video is Just One Tool

I have produced my own video material in house for many years. It works. It can be edited to fit the needs of your company. I once put a video together in a motel room in Selma, California. I used footage from several training videos I shot, to show the city fathers what we would be doing and how we would be doing it (transloading flour from rail cars). This was needed to procure a permit to do business within city limits and it worked to great success. The city fathers insisted on seeing it over and over. They either liked watching the transloading operation or perhaps the jazz tune I used. I was delighted

I'm interested in what "tools" others use. I utilize video, power point, printed handouts and hands-on training to mention a few. Each training situation requires a different tool or combination thereof. I find power point works well in an intense air brake seminar with one to three drivers at a time. Putting it on a video would save my voice, but reduce the opportunity for give and take. Each "tool" has its pros and cons.

Lonnie Moore
Alegre Trucking

EDITOR'S NOTE
An Invitation to Chuck Rea

Last week, we printed a note from SafetyXChange member, Chuck Rea, severely criticizing our home-made video. Many of you responded to Chuck's criticism with kind words of support. And for this I am most grateful. But I also want to remind everyone that SafetyXChange welcomes frank and open feedback - even when it's highly negative.  I also want to let everyone know that Chuck's comments did not hurt my feelings or offend me in any way. In fact, I agreed with many of the points he made.

The Proposition

But there was one point I take strong exception to: Yes, you're the professional video producer and I am an amateur. But your suggestion that amateurs should leave the video-making to the pros won't wash. Video is a grassroots medium that can and is being used by many members of the safety profession. I assure you, Chuck, that SafetyXChange is not the only one trying to use video to enhance training. Many of our members are as well.

So here's our invitation: Show us what we're doing wrong and how we can use video to make our workers safer. I know that you're in the business of providing this guidance for a fee. But I would like to suggest that stepping up and showing us how to wield our video equipment to maximum effect will earn you way more business than it will cost you. Chuck, we are offering you nothing less than a free opportunity to prove your professionalism and expertise to SafetyXChange's more than 22,000 members. In addition to solidifying your reputation, your efforts will help to prevent injuries.

Thanks, SafetyXChange members; thanks, Chuck. And let's keep the dialog going and make it a win-win situation.

Catherine Jones
Editor
SafetyXChange

Story Tools:  Email This Post  Print This Post Top