Lights, Camera, Action: Create a Video in the McDermott Library in a Snap
UT Dallas students, staff and faculty can now create professional-level videos with just the touch of a button.
The new One-Button Studio is now open in the Cotton Study Room (MC 3.622) on the third floor of the Eugene McDermott Library. The studio allows patrons to record a quality HD video with one button without any previous video production training or experience.
“Patrons can create high-quality, polished video projects without having to know anything about lights and cameras. In fact, there’s no need for mic placement, lighting set-up or adjusting the camera or anything else; everything is set up and ready for a simple recording session. All they need to do is bring a thumb drive with them and push the ‘record’ button,” said Associate Library Director Dr. Tiffany Norris.
To use the equipment, users just insert a thumb drive into the dock, which automatically turns on the computers, a screen, lights, microphone and video camera. Then with the press of a button, the camera starts recording. The video encodes in real time, so when users pull their thumb drive out of the dock, they can easily upload straight to a YouTube channel or other video-sharing account or email it to a student or teacher.
The One-Button Studio, recognized as a “cutting-edge library program” by the American Library Association, can be controlled by a single person. Library patrons can use the user-friendly recording studio to practice presentations, rehearse for interviews and even record online lectures.
“The One-Button Studio takes the focus off of technology and onto the content,” said Associate Library Director for Systems Jean Vik. “It’s a really remarkable piece of technology that I think our students are really going to like. I hope it not only helps with coursework, but also with their creativity as well.”
How can you use One-Button Studio?
For students:
- Create a presentation for class.
- Practice interviewing.
- Create content for an e-Portfolio.
- Act a scene from a play.
For Faculty/Staff:
- Record a lecture for online or flipped class.
- Present research papers.
- Create a video introduction for an online course.
- Record a lecture when travel is required.
- Create demonstration modules.
- Create instructional videos for student workers.
- Record small-group discussions, presentations and mock interviews.
Students, faculty and staff may reserve the studio online at https://libcal.utdallas.edu/. The room is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Users may reserve the space for a maximum of two hours.