Video Guidelines

Shared Videos

Web Services encourages the shared use of video across campus to save your department and Emerson time and money. Find videos for your department’s website in one of two ways:

Using the Video Gallery to find existing, already approved Emerson.edu videos. You may add the video to your page using the Video Reference field, create a Right Column promo, or link to the video page from text on your page.

Looking on Median for new Emerson.edu videos. Obtain permission from the video creator and submit the code under "Link to this Media" under the Share tab and your written permission to Deb Falzoi, Web Designer/Media Developer, Web Services at debra_falzoi@emerson.edu so that Web Services can create a Video Page for you.

Learn how to use Median, including how to encode videos for Median »

Learn about:

• The Creative Commons license type »
• The General Public license type »
• Fair Use »

New Videos

Web Services encourages you to utilize campus resources to have your videos produced to ensure consistency and quality of Emerson videos.

Quality

We encourage you to utilize Emerson’s in-house video services—Media Relations, Web Services, and Emerson Productions, part of Television, Radio, & Film (TRF)—before shooting your video, as your video is subject to approval from the Office of Communications & Marketing before posting on Emerson.edu. All videos must follow the guidelines below to allow viewers to recognize Emerson videos and help consistently brand Emerson College. 

All Emerson video created by Media Relations, Web Services, and TRF will use the standard Emerson:

• Intro and outro
• Watermark bug that appears in the lower right corner throughout the entire video
• Video title bar, depending on the project

When to Use Each Video Service

Media Relations (Contact: Communications & Marketing, 617-824-8540)
News
Events (non high-profile)

Web Services (Contact: Deb Falzoi, 617-824-8607)
Program overviews, including Academics and Student Life
Profiles (students, faculty, alumni, projects)

TRF (Contact: Jane Pikor, 617-824-8936)
Campus and space tours (Cutler Majestic, Robbins Center, Journalism facilities, etc.)
High-profile events at Emerson (EVVYs, etc.)
Department video series (like The Inside Scoop; does not need to adhere to styles outlines above)

Video Standards

Events (Example: Peter Rojas event)

• Use a high-quality camera.
• No longer than 2 minutes.
• Take at least 5 minutes of b-roll.
• Make sure audio is loud and clear. Use wireless lav or a line out if it can be obtained.
• Use lighting if needed.

Talking Heads (Example: Rafael Jean interview)

• Use a high-quality camera.
• All talking head interviews must be on a white background using the standard Emerson title bar.
• Use lighting.
• When interviewing talent, use pre-written, scripted questions. Ask them to repeat the question you ask.
• Have your talent look away from the camera (interview-style).
• Sound is critical; record in a quiet location with lav or stand alone mic.

Narratives

• Use a high-quality camera.
• Aim for no longer than 3 minutes (or use best judgment depending on use of video).
• Take at least 5 minutes of b-roll.
• Have 2+ interviewees.
• Use voiceovers and music throughout.
• Shoot in multiple locations that tell a story.
• Should be entirely scripted.

Recommendations for Video Acceptance

Videos will be accepted for use on Emerson.edu at the discretion of Web Services. Should your video not meet Web Services’ approval, you may use TRF to produce your video at a cost to your department.

• Video for the web must comply with all applicable state and federal laws for intellectual property rights, including copyright and trademarks.
• Consider the video’s shelf life. Because students, faculty, and staff members come and go, videos are often in need of an update after a few years' time. Develop a reshooting/updating plan if necessary.
• Videos with offensive or defamatory content will not be approved.
• Content should be engaging, relevant, and reflect Emerson’s messages and mission:

  Thriving in a Complex World
  Messages: Real world, busy, collaboration, urban

  Where Creativity Rolls Up Its Sleeves
  Messages: Doing culture, 24/7, creative community, collaboration

  On the Pulse of a World Class City
  Messages: Urban, Boston

  Where People with Vision Find Their Voices
  Messages: Storytellers, faculty, collaboration

  Leader in Communication and the Arts
  Messages: Excellence, creativity, equipment, faculty, student/alumni work

  Enhancing Work Through Collaboration
  Messages: Collaboration, doers, networking

  Expanding Our Reach
  Messages: LA, DC, Global

  Culture of Inclusion
  Messages: Diversity

If you need help with storyboarding or preproduction, contact one of the three individuals listed above.

Approvals

Release Forms. When using talent, you must obtain written permission from your talent through a release form, available at Video Guidelines the bottom of the Policies/Forms page and submit it to Web Services. Web Services will not post or approve posting of any videos without the release forms unless you have the video produced by the Office of Communications & Marketing, Emerson Productions, or Web Services, who will take care of these forms for you.

Department Approval. You are responsible for obtaining proper approvals of videos in your department. Web Services assumes that this step has been taken once your video is submitted for posting on Emerson.edu. (If you need assistance with posting a video, contact Deb Falzoi, Web Designer, Web Services at debra_falzoi@emerson.edu.)

Getting Your Video on Median

Using the free, downloadable software Handbrake, convert your video to an .mp4 using the specifications outlined in the Encoding with Handbrake for Median Guide. 

Social Media

Web Services encourages video sharing, where appropriate, through such Emerson College social networking accounts as the Emerson College YouTube Channel and Facebook.

Facebook: Rhea Becker at rhea_becker@emerson.edu

Twitter: Rhea Becker at rhea_becker@emerson.edu

YouTube: Deb Falzoi at debra_falzoi@emerson.edu

Questions?

Need help with preparing or uploading your video? Contact Deb Falzoi, Web Designer/Media Developer, Web Services at debra_falzoi@emerson.edu.