Record Myself & Lightboard

The Self-Service Video Production Studio allows Northwestern students, faculty, and staff to easily produce professional-looking videos. 

Get Started

RESERVE A TIME

The Lightboard Studio is located in the Mudd Library, 2169. 2233 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208. See a map of Mudd Library.  All you need is a Wildcard to access the library and a USB flash drive to store your recording.

Studio Configuration Options
Lightboard

Created by Northwestern Engineering Professor, Michael Peshkin, the Lightboard is a glass chalkboard that uses light to allow users to face viewers while writing and recording a lecture. The board is videotaped in mirror reflection, giving users a quick and easy way to communicate technical subjects, equations, and sketches, all while engaging with the camera and the viewers. 

Self-Service Video Production Studio in Mudd Library: Lightboard Mode Step-by-Step

Self-Service Video

Use the Self-Service Video mode to record your presentation or lecture or to create an instructional demonstration.

Self-Service Video Production Studio in Mudd Library: Self-Service Mode Step-by-Step

Before Getting Started

Before using the studio, you’ll need to either check out a formatted USB drive from the nearby Library circulation desk or format your own.

Note: we recommend using one of the Library’s pre-formatted drives. Reformatting a personal drive can result in the loss of files on that drive. Library drives can be recorded to, then switched to a personal computer where files can be moved to a more permanent storage option. 

Personal drives must be formatted with one of the following file systems: FAT16, FAT32, XFS, EXT2, EXT3, EXT4, NTFS.

Help me format a Mac drive Help me format a Windows Drive 

Best Practices for Recording Videos

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when creating your videos. 

For either studio configuration:

  • Keep videos to 5-6 minutes, each on a single topic.
  • Pause before starting and look at the camera. This gives you a clean cut point to edit out your walk-on.
  • If people are going to watch several videos, they don't want an intro on each one.
  • Text can be superimposed later into the video.

For the Lightboard, specifically:

  • Plan your talk so you know where you are going to be drawing on the Lightboard.
  • Dark clothing works best so your writing is readable in front of your clothing. No text on clothing.
  • When writing on the board, look at what you are writing. When talking about something on the board, point at it and look at it. When you aren't writing or pointing, look at the camera.

Need help? Call 847-491-3361 or visit the nearby circulation desk for assistance.

Schedule the Studio