Video and Audio
Video is a powerful medium. A strong video captures emotion and brings a viewer into the story.
UND creates marketing videos that represent our brand pillars, personality and community. Videos available to help promote the University and its students are posted to the University of North Dakota YouTube channel.
Video Service Providers
UND has production units that produce videos. Some units provide production services to the entire campus; others produce programming primarily for their own departments, academic units or organizations.
Production services are available to internal and external clients. The facility offers an HD (high definition) television studio, large seamless blue screen, field production, post-production, graphics, web design, satellite uplink services and interactive classrooms. Fees are charged for services. Contact 701.777.4752 for additional information.
The One Button Studio allows faculty, staff and students to easily record presentations and other videos at the Chester Fritz Library. Just insert a USB drive, click the button, and start presenting! Reserve the room using the online reservation system.
UND has 16 technology-enhanced recording studios in various academic buildings to support online teaching. Contact 701.777.2222 for additional information.
The School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) Media Recording Studio is a multi-function media technology room where faculty and staff can generate instructional media. The equipment is configured for ease of use and to minimize training and setup. The Studio is located in E152 in the enclosed hallway outside of the Simulation Center. For more information or to set up a consultation, please use our website.
Services include training and pedagogy guidance for faculty and staff on the use of UND supported technology for audio/video streaming and recording for academic use. Contact 701.777.3325 for additional information.
Additionally, the Digital Media Studio, can be used for audio and video creation. Priority is given to academic departments.
The Division of Marketing & Communications produces video that supports UND's recruitment and digital strategies. To request a video, complete the Division of Marketing & Communications project request form.
UIT helps organize webinars over Zoom for University-wide events. Events are recorded and provided to the event organizer. To request a webinar, create a ticket through TeamDynamix or by calling 701.777.2222 to have a ticket created.
Video Best Practices
Plan your videos in advance. Think of how you want to communicate your message and what shots will be needed. And keep the following best practices in mind:
- Use lots of light. Dark rooms or harsh shadows can be too dramatic or unpleasant to look at and not the desired effect on the viewer.
- Make sure the audio sounds good. People are more willing to watch poor video quality if it sounds good. If it sounds quiet or buzzy, however, people will shut it off even if it looks good.
- Avoid shaky footage. When shooting video, keep as still as possible or use a tripod.
- Shoot a lot of footage from multiple angles. It's better to have more when editing a video together. Get wide shots. Do close-ups.
- If shooting on a phone, make sure to shoot video horizontally.
Preferred Video Traits
- Well-framed subjects (interview).
- Strong focal point or use of rack focus (interview).
- Compelling depth of field (interview).
- Dynamic range of colors (interview).
- Dramatic light source (interview).
- People or action-oriented (B-roll).
- Steady, purposeful movement (B-roll).
- Unexpected angles (B-roll; optional).
For additional video guidelines, complete brand training.
Accessibility
Videos posted on social media, including YouTube, must follow accessibility best practices.
Music License Agreements
UND has license agreements with:
- American Society of Composers
- Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
- Broadcast Music, Incorporated (BMI)
- Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC)
- DeWolfe Music
Members of the University community are expected to follow copyright law. Questions pertaining to music license agreements can be directed to:
Office of General Counsel
701.777.6345
DeWolfe Music
The DeWolfe Music license agreement allows synchronization of music for audio, video and web projects (i.e., using music tracks to supplement a video, audio or web project). UND video producers have access to the DeWolfe production library through a password-protected website.
To use the DeWolfe Music library products (music and sound effects), contact the Division of Marketing & Communications at marketing@UND.edu.
ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC
ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC agreements grant the University limited public performance rights (i.e., the ability to play music or perform a work). For instance, licensed musical compositions may be performed on campus, played as background music on a University website, or used as house music at remote or off-campus locations operated for the benefit of the University. The agreements do not allow synchronization of music (i.e., use of music tracks for audio/video production), nor do they give unlimited rights for other purposes with existing sound recordings.
Standard Motion Graphics
All promotional videos must properly identify UND and have consistent graphics. UND provides the following standard graphics via CC Libraries after an individual completes brand training:
- End cards with the UND Logotype
- Name key
- Logos
- Text Frames
- Watermark
End cards, the watermark and name keys should be included in all promotional videos to increase brand recognition.
Name Key Tips
Name keys are typically two lines, using upper and lower case font. The first line gives the person's name, the second line gives an identifier or the reason the person is in the video. For space and consistency, the ampersand (&) should be used in place of "and" in all instances.
Karen Green
Biology Professor
Tom Green
Student Ambassador
Identifiers do not necessarily reflect a person's formal title. They reflect the reason the person is in the video. Department names are not typically used as identifiers unless the story is about the department. If William Green is being interviewed about the impact a new tax will have on the region, his key would look like this:
William Green
Accounting Professor
If William Green is being interviewed about his plan to improve his department, his key would look like this:
William Green
Accounting Department
Medical practitioners should be identified by their degrees.
Betty Green, M.D.
Sally Green, M.D.
Surgery Professor Internal Medicine Professor
When identifying a professor, avoid using Dr. before a name. It can be misinterpreted as a medical doctor.
Lawrence Green
Wanda Green
Economist Physical Therapist
Public officials, or candidates, are often identified by party affiliation.
Jane Green
(R) Governor
John Green
(D) North Dakota Senator