STARMAST video style guide
Video examples
This section will explain the style and formatting of how to create video examples that should accompany examples within each study guide. This will align with content within the STARMAST website. This section is split into several parts.
- Part A will explain how to download, and use, any needed software.
- Part B will explain how to create a thumbnail using Canva.
- Part C will explain how to record yourself talking through the example.
- Part D will explain how to edit the video, using any needed software.
Part A
This part explains how to create the written whiteboard/notepad section of the video example. The aim is to produce a clean, accessible, and consistent video that clearly presents worked mathematical examples in the STARMAST visual style. In order to create a video example, you will need to download one of the following notetaking / whiteboard apps onto a tablet. You will require a stylus for handwritten work on the tablet.
- Whiteboard by LiveBoard
- Notability by Ginder Labs
- Goodnotes by Goodnotes Limited
Open a new whiteboard. You will be using the following pen colours: * Black (for the worded part of the example question) * Blue (for any numerical values or equations) * Red (for any comments or warnings)
Select your background colour as off-white (#FFFDF5)
Begin Recording your video. Write the example out clearly and in full. Please remember: You will speed up/ slow down the video in editing, so it is better to make the written work neat than to worry about timings.
Each finished whiteboard video should:
- Be in landscape orientation (16:9).
- Have neutral off-white background (hex #FFFDF5).
- Use handwritten mathematical notation with consistent pen thickness and colour scheme.
- Contain no interface buttons, pop-ups, or toolbars visible to the audience.
- Include only the worked example - no visible face at this stage.
- Be silent at this stage - face and voice recording will be added later in Part C.
- Be exported in high-quality 1080p HD MP4 format.
You should write the example out clearly and in full. You should write slowly and neatly. The speed of your writing can be adjusted later in editing. Handwriting should be large enough so that it is readable on smaller screens. Leave enough spacing between lines so that notation is not crowded.
Setting up in Whiteboard by LiveBoard
Download and install the Whiteboard by LiveBoard app. It is available free on the App Store (iPad OS) and Google Play Store. Create your own account. You may be prompted to take out a trial version of the premium version of the app, however this is not necessary.
Create a new board by tapping the “+ New Board” button at the bottom right. Choose Landscape orientation.
Setting the background. This app doesn’t allow custom background colours, so to add in the specific #FFFDF5 background colour, insert this file as an image to your whiteboard and resize it so that it fills the entire canvas area.
PART B
Open Canva and log in using the STARMAST credentials. Find the template ‘Video Thumbnail’ and edit the relevant information for your video.
Save the Thumbnail.
PART C
To record yourself talking through the example you will need to download the following: * Teleprompter by Teleprompter App Limited
OR use Camera on your device.
Ensure you are in front of a plain, appropriate background. Ensure your face is visible and your mouth is not covered.
Begin recording and talk through your example in line with the video you created in Part A.
If necessary, use ‘Voice Memos’ to record an audio separately and then record yourself lipsynching on Camera.
Next week:
- Write part D for iMovie, Capcut, Shotcut.
- In the meantime, we write dropdown sections (not in this qmd document though) about what is different in each of the three different notetaking/whiteboard apps.
Version history
v1.0: initial version created 12/25 by Donald Campbell and Millie Harris as part of a University of St Andrews VIP project.