In the previous three parts of this series, we explained the general green screen production process, provided a purchasing checklist for obtaining the equipment and software needed to produce green screen videos, and discussed the process for recording, editing, processing, and encoding videos with a transparent background.
In this fourth and final section we outline the process and best practices for using a produced green screen video in an Adobe Captivate 4 project.
STEP 1: Open your Captivate 4 project, navigate to the slide where you would like to insert the green screen video and choose Insert > Flash Video.
STEP 2: On the Flash Video tab, choose the type of video you would like to add. There are three types of FLV files you can import: Progressive Download Video, Streaming Video and Flash Video Streaming Service.
Streaming Video. These videos play from either your own server running the Flash Media Server or from a host Flash Video Streaming Service. When viewing your video, students use a connection to the Flash Communication Server. Using Streaming Video, you could include a live video feed in your Captivate project.
Flash Video Streaming Service. This is the most effective way to deliver FLV files to the largest possible audience without having to worry about setting up and maintaining your own streaming server hardware and network. (Caution: The FLV files will not play if your finished project is hosted on a Windows 2003 Web server.)
Note: If you have hired a company to develop Flash animations for you, make sure that you let them know that FLV files intended to be imported into Captivate must contain metadata for the video player to function correctly and play the videos. If you create FLV files with Flash Communication Server 1.5.2, FLV Exporter version 1.2, and Sorenson Squeeze 4.0 (included with the Flash Video Kit), the metadata is automatically added.
In this case, we used the Progressive Download Video option since we were not using a streaming server.
STEP 3: Use the Browse button in the File Link area and open the Flash Video you want to use.
STEP 4: Select the type of play bar skin you would like to place over the video. You can also choose None to remove the playbar.
STEP 5: Set the size of the video to something smaller than the size of the slide. When resizing, be sure Constrain (which allows the video to be re-sized while keeping the correct aspect ratio) is selected.
STEP 6: Select the Auto Play and/or Auto Rewind options by selecting the checkbox for the options you would like to enable.
STEP 7: On the Options tab, ensure Visible is selected (you would only deselect this option if you want the video to be hidden when the slide opens).
STEP 8: Modify the Timing options for your lesson. Ensure Pause slide until end of video is selected.
STEP 9: Change the Transition effect option to No transition (transition effects can cause myriad fade-in and fade-out problems on your slides) and then click OK.
Conclusion
This series has discussed the process and best practices associated with producing and using green screen video content in Adobe Captivate projects. While the production process for green screen video can be detailed, the instructional rewards are significant.
Here are some links to additional information and examples of green screen videos:
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About the authors: John Gillmore is an Instructional Technologist with the University of Oklahoma's Center for Professional and Distance Education (CPDE). In this role, John researches, analyzes and evaluates new technologies for potential applications in instruction; promotes the implementation of technological innovations; creates demonstrations of instructional applications of technologies; and provides assistance to faculty, staff and administrators who have instructional technology needs. In addition, John teaches freshman information systems courses at UCO. John has a B.S. in Business Information Systems from the University of Phoenix and an MBA from UCO.
Bucky Dodd is an instructional designer at the Center for Professional and Distance Education at the University of Central Oklahoma. His professional interests include innovation in eLearning, workplace learning and performance trends, and instructional design. Mr. Dodd has instructional design and consulting experience in both public and private organizations. He holds a B.A. in Corporate Communication and a M.Ed. in Adult Education from the University of Central Oklahoma.