Film

• Have a clear goal. It's important to know what you want to achieve and who your target audience is. Before starting the project, we ensure a shared understanding of the goals.
   
• Set a realistic goal, emphasizing singular focus. Trying to achieve too many different things in one film can result in a fragmented final product that struggles to reach its target audience.
   
• Align the project with your organization. If you don't have a consensus on the need it's difficult to communicate clearly with us during the ordering process.
   
• Communicate needs and desires. What are your desired outcomes? Should the film evoke emotion or prompt action?
   
• Convey your own reality. Consider the other channels your organization operates in and how you are seen there. What tone and message do you convey?
   
• Start early. Understand that film production takes time. Understand the relationship between time, quality, and cost. It's difficult to produce something truly great if time is short and the budget is limited.
   
• Respect deadlines and fulfill your commitments. Otherwise, it's impossible to keep to the schedule.
   
• Be clear about who has decision-making authority. Ensure there's a single point of contact with Media Technology and wait for feedback until everyone who needs to approve has weighed in.
   
• Be aware that changes after approval can alter the cost.
   
• Dare to ask questions! If you don't understand, neither will anyone else.

Starting to film on your own can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. To make it easier for you to get started, Media Technology offers support. We also conduct courses on how to film, edit, and publish.

There's an abundance of equipment to choose from. Starting with your own mobile phone is the simplest option, and you can achieve a lot with it. However, for good sound quality, you'll also need a handheld microphone or a lavalier..

Before you head out to film, test your equipment to ensure you understand how it works. It's also a good idea to scout the filming location in advance. This way, you'll know where to conduct interviews and what shots you can take. Additionally, listen for any disruptive noises like fans or traffic.

Interview
Instead of focusing on the questions you'll ask, think about the answers you want. Knowing what you want to learn beforehand makes it easier to prepare your questions. Questions should be open-ended, allowing the interviewee to provide detailed responses.

Lighting
When filming or taking photos, you'll need some form of lighting. Make it easy for yourself by using available light sources such as daylight, lamps, or overhead lighting. Remember that different light sources have different color temperatures, which can affect the appearance of your footage or images.

Did you know that the word "photography" comes from the Greek words "phos" meaning 'light' and "grapho" meaning 'write or draw'? So, essentially, you're writing or drawing with light.

Sound Recording 
The most important aspect of an interview is the distance to the microphone and selecting an environment with minimal background noise. This will make editing much easier.

If you must conduct interviews in a noisy environment, place the microphone close to the interviewee's mouth. However, be aware that in noisy environments interviewees may raise their voices, causing distortion in the recording.

Get into the habit of capturing ambient sounds for your clips. Silent footage can often feel strange, especially when depicting a bustling environment.

Recording Your Lecture 
If you want to record your own lecture, we recommend contacting the Unit for Pedagogical Development and Interactive Learning, which provides training and a studio for producing educational materials.

Alternatively, you can place an order with Media Technology to have your lecture recorded. You can choose where you want the lecture recorded, and you have the option to use our studio.

Editing 
There are several editing programs available, but if you attend our course "Film with your mobile phone" you'll learn to use the editing program Clipsk.

To access Clipsk, you'll need to purchase a license through the Communication Unit by emailing socialamedier@adm.gu.se. Licenses are renewed at the end of November each year, so be sure to order before November for a license that applies to the following year.

Please note that Clipsk only works on iPhones, and it's one license per phone. You can't share it with a colleague unless you also share your phone.

Accessibility 
Since September 23, 2020, all public authorities in Europe must ensure that digitally published material is accessible.

Subtitles are the most common form of accessibility adaptation for films. Subtitles are divided into blocks, which are displayed synchronously with the film. With subtitles, you can reach a larger audience. Here you can read more about accessibility adaptations.

Graphics 
University of Gothenburg has developed a graphic template that you should use in your film. You can download the start, name, and end cards, as well as a manual on how to use the graphics, from the provided link.

If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to contact our producer, Filip Asphäll.

Publishing Your Film 
University of Gothenburg has two official YouTube channels and a film management service called GU Play. Each channel serves different purposes and target audiences. 

The Communications Unit is responsible for publishing on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you want to publish something there, contact socialamedier@adm.gu.se. GU Play is the university's own channel where you can publish your films yourself. Contact Erik Lundberg, who is responsible for publishing on GU Play.

Tips when filming with your mobile phone:

• Test your equipment and make sure everything works before heading out to film.
• Prepare questions in advance to ensure you get the answers you want.
• Ensure your mobile phone has enough storage space to record your interview and for editing afterwards.
• Use a tripod to keep your phone at eye level with the person you're interviewing.
• Identify the source of light and decide which lamp to bring.
• Choose an environment with as little background noise as possible. Bring a microphone that you can connect to your phone. Capture plenty of clips with accompanying audio.

If you want to learn more about filming and editing, we recommend taking our course "Film with your mobile phone". Feel free to express your interest.

When planning for recording, photography or distribution of your material, there are several legal aspects to consider. Copyright, consent of participants, and digital accessibility are some things to think about.

Copyright

Remember to only use material that you have the right to use. Always find out who owns the copyright if you are unsure and ask for permission before publishing what you want to show. We have prepared a standard agreement that includes copyright. It applies when participants in, for example, lectures, events, or other types of production show presentation materials. The agreement must be signed before recording.

Copyright agreement for participation in film or photo production

GDPR

According to the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, the university needs a legal basis for handling personal data, such as photos and videos.

Here you will find standard agreements where participants consent to being included in marketing or informational material produced for the University of Gothenburg.

We consider the agreements to be Open Source and make no claims to copyright regarding the content. Therefore, you can use the agreements freely regardless of whether you film or photograph yourself or seek help from someone other than us.

Electronic Legal Deposit

We are responsible for e-depositing all films that Medieteknik publishes on GU Play. If you do not want us to publish the material and prefer to handle all publication yourself, the electronic legal deposit obligation falls on your organization.

The e-deposit form is sent, along with the film file you received for publication, to the University Library.

You can read more about electronic legal deposit here.

Download the e-deposit form here

Digital accessibility

According to the Accessibility Law, films and audio files that are made available to the public must be accessibility adapted. This means that films need to be subtitled in the language spoken in the film and, if necessary, audio described. Here you can read more about accessibility-adapted film.

For all legal advice, Medieteknik refers to the university's administrative lawyers.

Would you like to film and interview a researcher yourself? You can easily do that with your mobile phone. This course is primarily aimed at communicators.

In the course you will learn how to film with your mobile phone. You will learn the basics of interview techniques, sound recording and editing techniques.

You will also learn the editing program Clipsk, which is a simple but good editing program on mobile phones. To access Clipsk, you'll need to purchase a license through the Communications Unit by emailing socialamedier@adm.gu.se. Licenses are renewed at the end of November each year, so be sure to order before November for a license that applies to the following year.

Please note that Clipsk only works on iPhones, and it's one license per phone. You can't share it with a colleague unless you also share your phone.

You can register your interest in the course here. Welcome!