Camtasia for the Mac, iMovie and post-production

Factual Questions
1

I’m been asked to produce a series of video computer tutorials for a company to instructor employees on how to use their proprietary applications and intranet. I’m wondering what is the best way to do post-production on this.

I’ve been checking out Camtasia for the Mac to do the screen captures because it allows real-time recording of the screen to include the instructor speaking. The instructor will be recorded using the applications at the same time the screen capture is being done.

There will also be title cards inserts in several places in the video and at the start and end of each video along with licensed library music.

What is the best way to edit the video? Can it all be done in Camtasia, or should it be exported in parts to something else like iMovie and assemble it there? Or would Final Cut Pro be better?

The instructor doesn’t appear on screen, you only hear him or her and see their computer screen. That’s another thing, it is important that the next appearing on the computer screen be clear and easy to read.

I have considered going to an outside agency to do the post-production of all this, but I’m not even sure what to look for. Seems like they are all set-up to do video for TV commercials or video recording weddings. I would appreciate advise from someone who has already done this kind of work or has been involved in the production for tips. Thanks!

2

I use Snapz Pro for screen captures to movie. Comes with the option of including microphone audio (i.e., ambient sound) and the separate option of including Mac sound (i.e., whatever’s making sound within the Mac environment), either neither or both. It’s shareware and you can try before you buy.

For subsequent edits I just use QuickTime Player. (I have QT Pro so I can select and copy and paste and so forth).

iMovie or FCPro could certainly do the job but either of them is sort of like using a bazooka to kill a fly unless you’re trying to win a Clio award for your short.

3

Screenflow is what we (and everyone I know) uses to record tutorial videos similar to yours. As well as screen / audio recording it has full built in editing capabilities and the ability to add title cards / transitions and attach music.

There is really no reason to get a post production company to do something like you want. You can learn Screenflow in an hour or two.