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.