How to make a scripted vido with Screencast-O-Matic

1. Create the script

• Open software
• Start a new scripted project by clicking “Scripted” in the upper right
• Give the project a name by clicking “Enter Recording Name” in the upper left
• Start typing your script in the numbered lines (“[Enter text for script section]”)
  • Try to limit each section to 1-2 sentences. This will make it easier to record both audio and video. Think about what the visual will be for each section.
  • Don’t forget an intro section (“This video will cover…”)
• Use the “add section” button to add new scripted lines
• To insert a section, add a new empty section, then re-number the left-hand box to move the section into position.
• The project should auto-save itself as you work.

2. Record audio

• Select a section you’re ready to record
• Click the red “Rec” button in the lower left. When the section turns green you can begin speaking. Click the blue pause button to stop recording.
• Listen to what you’ve recorded by selecting a section and clicking the Play triangle in the lower left
• If you want to remove an audio recording, click the time associated with the section. You will see options to delete the section, or to remove the audio.
• I recommend recording audio for all sections before moving on to video

3. Record screen capture video

• When you have audio recorded, you can select a clip, and on the right you will have the option “record video #.”
• Click this “record video #” and a black-and-white box will pop up on your screen, while ScreenCastOMatic minimizes its main window.
• If you want to go back to the main window, click Cancel.
• When you’re ready, anything inside the box will be recorded. You can change its size, or use a standard size (click the gear next to the Rec button). Using a standard size like 720 pixels will make it easier to blend live footage with tutorial videos, should you ever wish to do this.
• Click record. You will get a countdown, and then you will be live. You can move the mouse, etc., and the video will be recorded. You will hear your audio and see your script in real time.
• To continuously record from one audio clip to the next, you can use a hotkey (mine is option+N, but I’m not sure if that’s the default) when you want to move on to the next section.
• It is a good idea to hold the mouse still when you are done demonstrating each section. This makes it easier to edit the sections later.
• Click the pause button to stop recording when you are done.
• Click Done to transfer the video back into the main ScreenCastOMatic window.

4. Edit video

• When you’re done recording audio and video (or you can iterate between these)- go to Edit Video.
• Tools I use a lot here are Cut (to trim dead time), Speed (to speed up things that are slow in real time), and Overlay (to overlay text or images onto my video).
• Go back to the script by clicking “Edit Script.”

5. Export video

• When you’re done with all your recording and editing, click Done.
• Click Save As Video File
• To use your script as subtitles, choose Captions > Script.
• You can also adjust how your cursor is highlighted, the filename and file type, etc. I have been using normal quality MP4 files for the Wiki videos.
• Click publish. It will take a moment to export your video, but then you’re done!