How to Record Your Screen
Need to record your screen to use the footage on your next film project? Well, look no further! We have some really great options for all your screen capturing needs! Whether you’re looking to record a video chat interview for use in your next documentary or you’re working on an instructional video and need your audience to follow along on-screen, there are some great free options for any filmmaker.
Quicktime
Quicktime is a great tool built onto all Mac computers and makes recording your screen super smooth. Here’s how:
Step 1) Open the program
Step 2) Click File and navigate to “New Screen Recording”
Step 3) Make some decisions on if you want to use your microphone for voice over in the options are and move the selection tool wherever you want it to record (full screen or just part).
Step 4) Hit record!
This file will then save to your computer and you can take it right into your favorite editing program and be off to the races!
Screencast-O-Matic
Screencast-o-matic on the other hand is not pre-installed, BUT it works with Mac, Chromebook, and Windows! Once it’s installed it’s pretty simple to use as well:
Step 1) Launch Program
Step 2) Select if you want to record your screen, webcam or BOTH! and make some audio/mic settings decisions.
Step 3) RECORD
Some things about this program that really stand out at first glance is that it’s very simple to use, but one small drawback is that it has a watermark in the bottom left corner of the frame. Upgrading to the paid version allows you to get rid of it, but if it doesn’t bother you, go for it!
Screen Recording on iDevices
Apple recently released an update in which you now can swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone or iPad screen and a “Start Recording” (looks like a small record button near your flashlight) option appeared. If this feature doesn’t show up, you may need to unlock it in your settings:
Go to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls, then tap next to Screen Recording.
Swipe up from the bottom edge of any screen. ...
Press deeply on. ...
Tap Start Recording, then wait for the three-second countdown.
You’ll know your screen is recording as a red bar will display at the top of your screen. Upon completion of your recording, you can then save it to your camera roll, and edit it to your heart’s content!
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While we’ve run across TONS of screen capturing programs during our research, we’re only including ones that we’ve personally vetted so far. Do you have some software that you like using that didn’t make this list? Shoot us an email at info@austinyouthfilmfestival.com! We’d love to hear about the pros and cons to other software you’ve used! Do you have some amazing online resources that all filmmakers should know about?! Contact us! Maybe we’ll credit you and add it to a compilation of more recommendations on a future post!