Virtual 3MT Directions for ECU – Fall 2021

Adapted from the official 3MT site at University of Queensland

 

The key requirement will be that students must pre-record their presentation for consideration by the judges. This will ensure participants are not disadvantaged due to technical issues during a presentation. A virtual 3MT competition will continue to allow graduate students to participate in 3MT, hone their communication skills, receive peer review, and gain skills surrounding the presentation of their research to a wider audience.

 

Virtual 3MT Process – Video Submission

  • Competitors record and edit their 3MT presentations (using any available recording or mobile device) and upload to a Vimeo account (competitors to set up a personal Vimeo account) and email the presentation link to one of the coordinators (Specific information posted soon!)
  • 3MT video links will be uploaded to the ECU Graduate School site for audience and judges viewing.
  • Video links will be emailed to judging panel.
  • Judging panel will review all videos (and use 3MT scoring sheets), and conduct a Zoom/WebEx meeting to discuss judging and final placement of winners
  • Judging panel will not judge the presentation based on the video/recording quality. Judging will focus on the presentation, ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience, and 3MT PowerPoint slide.
  • The People’s Choice Award process will be electronic and a link for participation will be on the website.
  • Winners announced via the Graduate School website and during an online awards ceremony.

 

Rules and Recording

  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through speech (timing does not include the 3MT title slide and commences from when the competitor starts speaking, not the start of the video).
  • Videos must meet the following criteria:
    • Filmed on the horizontal (movie format, wide-screen);
    • Filmed on a plain background;
    • Filmed from a static position;
    • Filmed from one camera angle;
    • Contain a 3MT title slide (at beginning);
    • Contain a 3MT PowerPoint slide (top right corner/right side/cut to)
    • Participants must stand in the video;
  • A single static slide is permitted in the presentation (no slide transitions, animations, or ‘movement’ of any type).
  • The 3 minute audio must be continuous – no sound edits or breaks.
  • No additional props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment and animated backgrounds) are permitted within the recording.
  • Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g. no poems, raps or songs).
  • No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted within the video recording.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
  • Submissions via video format (send video link provided to Event Coordinators). Files sent in other formats will not be accepted.

Please note: competitors *will not* be judged on video/recording quality or editing capabilities (optional inclusions).  Judging will focus on the presentation, ability to communicate research to a non-specialist audience, and 3MT PowerPoint slide.

 

3MT Recording – Device Options

Recording your presentation can be done using a camera and or handheld video recorder however most phones allow you to record through the camera function and most computers have recording ability (via camera or webcam) using inbuilt programs such as:

  • Windows
    • Camera App
    • Windows Movie Maker
  • Macintosh
  • QuickTime
  • iMovie

Online programs which you might like to consider include:

  • Zoom

3MT Recording – Setup

Whether you’re filming on a phone or other, there are further factors to consider when setting up to film your video:

Support

Your friend cannot offer to be a tripod by holding your phone or iPad for you: Your video needs to be completely stable as movement is very distracting.

Camera orientation

Ensure phones and tablets are turned onto their side so the video is filmed horizontally not vertically. No Vertical Video!  This is to ensure the finished video is the correct shape and size when uploaded to Vimeo.

Eye line

To ensure your eye line is correct, the tripod or surface where your recording device is placed, should be high enough so that the camera lens is in line with your eye level. Try to avoid the camera lens having to either point up or down towards you.

Framing

Set up your shot so you are to the left of the center of the frame without being cut off at the top and so you can be seen from the waist up. The right side of the video frame should be just the blank wall background, as this is where you will edit your slide into place.  Before you start recording, ensure your device is able to auto focus on you and isn’t focusing on anything else around you instead. Be sure to watch your recording back and ensure you remain in the focus the entire duration.

Proximity

Ensure your recording device isn’t too far away from you. The microphone on the device should be as close to you as possible to achieve both the desired framing and to ensure the audio is as clear as possible.

Test recording

Complete a short recording of a portion of your talk. Ensure you are speaking at the volume you intend to use for your presentation. Review the test recording to ensure all of the above elements are complete and working.

Presentation tip

Be aware of your eye movement. Maintain eye contact with the camera lens as though they were a person in the audience watching you present live.

 

Video Editing

  • Go to website – https://www.kapwing.com (or any video editing platform you are familiar with, Kapwing is a suggestion, but a good, simple alternative to other possible video editing software)
  • Create an account by signing in with Google or Facebook
  • Go to My Workspace – click new project – click start with studio
  • Click: start with blank canvas
  • Rename Studio Draft (top of page) – Name – 3MT Title
  • Click add scene – left hand side to show 2 blank scenes
  • Adjust output size (16:9 – widescreen) – right hand side

Example:

  • Highlight scene – click upload – insert 3MT Video file or URL link
  • Highlight scene – click upload image – insert 3MT

 

PowerPoint slide – highlight 3MT PowerPoint slide – click lock ratio – adjust size and place in top right hand corner, or on right hand side

  • Save a copy of your 3MT PowerPoint slide as a JPEG for uploading – does not upload PowerPoint
  • Save draft and review
  • Publish
  • Copy link and upload your final presentation to Vimeo – The Vimeo link to your video is the link you will submit to your 3MT Event Coordinator along with your 3MT PowerPoint slide so the judging panel can view and assess your presentation.
  • You can also use the screen snip feature on windows which can be found by clicking the notification button in the bottom right-hand corner. With this feature, you can simply drag the “snip box” around the slide, and it will be saved for you (available at least in Windows).
  • Editing the video can be done in the campus library, as a possibility if you are on-campus, with more powerful, i.e. faster, computers.

 

Uploading to Vimeo – Computer (Best completed on a computer, not a smartphone)

  • Ensure your completed video has been copied from your phone or other device to your desktop or laptop device. Google Drive is a great way to upload your video from phone/recording device, no cables, etc. and it’s free.
  • Create your own personal Vimeo account and log in at vimeo.com. Click ‘log in’ on the left of the top toolbar
  • Hover over the blue ‘New Video’ button in the top right and select ‘upload’ from the drop down menu.
  • Either drag and drop your file for upload or manually select your file by clicking ‘or choose files’. The upload should begin automatically.
  • Ensure the privacy setting is set to ‘Anyone can see this video’.
  • Ensure the setting ‘People can add to collections’ is switched on.
  • Give your video a title: Name_3MT Title
  • In your video description please place the following:
  • 2020 3MT Competition
  • Name:
  • 3MT Title:
  • The Vimeo link to your video is the link you will submit to your 3MT Event Coordinator along with your 3MT title slide and 3MT PowerPoint slide so the judging panel can view and assess your presentation.

 

Uploading to Vimeo – Smart Phone

  • Download and install the Vimeo app.
  • Create your own personal Vimeo account and log in via the blue log in button. If you already have an account, click the blue log in button and enter your existing details.
  • Click on the ‘upload’ button in the bottom right-hand corner and select your video from the camera roll.
  • Trim the length of your video, or choose ‘skip’.
  • Ensure the privacy setting is set to ‘Anyone can see this video’.
  • Ensure the setting ‘People can add to collections’ is switched on.
  • Give your video a title: Name_3MT Title
  • In your video description please place the following:
  • 2020 3MT Competition
  • Name:
  • 3MT Title:
  • The Vimeo link to your video is the link you will submit to your 3MT Event Coordinator along with your 3MT title slide and 3MT PowerPoint slide so the judging panel can view and assess your presentation.

 

Updating Video

Vimeo allows you to replace a video with an updated file so the original link remains the same.  If you need to update your submission, update your video at the existing Vimeo link. Do not upload a new video from scratch, as this will create a new link and will be difficult for organizers to track.

Please note: only done using a computer or tablet.

  • Log in to your Vimeo account on an internet browser (do not use the app).
  • Navigate to the video by selecting “videos” on the left-hand side menu.
  • Click on the video to open the video’s settings.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the settings options on the left-hand side of the screen.
  • At the bottom of the scroll bar, click the blue button “replace video”.
  • Navigate to and select the new video file on your device.
  • Watch the progress of the new upload at the bottom left-hand side corner of your screen. Do not close the browser window until this is complete.
  • Watch the entire updated video to ensure the new video has replaced the old version. This can sometimes take time to process.

 

Final Hints:  3MT Recording – Filming at Home

There are three factors to consider when selecting your location to ensure you are producing the best video possible: light, sound, and background.

Light

Dark environments impact the overall quality of your video because cameras do not perform well in dim lighting nor back-lighting.  Ensuring you are well lit guarantees the camera and therefore, your audience, can see you clearly. Look for a room in your home that has lots of natural light. If you are using light from a window, ensure you are facing towards the window so light falls on you directly.

Sound

When filming video at home, ensure you choose a very quiet environment where you have as much control over the sound as possible. For example, choose a small room where you have the ability to close all doors and windows.  Make sure any noisy electronics in the room such as fans, air conditioners, computers, phones and possibly even your fridge are temporarily turned off.  Be aware of any audible interruptions you don’t have control over such as airplanes, lawns mowers and cars.

Background

Aim for a clean, plain wall as your background, completely free of visual distractions from the waist up where you will be framing your shot.

Other

Remember to use effective eye contact during your video. Also remember to NOT read from a script. Presentations must be memorized.