We have compiled eight best practices for creating awesome MBA application video essays:
1) Use a Good Camera
What differentiates the popular contributors on YouTube from amateurs is the quality of the video. Most laptops have the bare-minimum technology when it comes to cameras.
We have picked three video cameras for the MBA Application Video recording. Borrow it from your friend if you don’t have one:
1) Olympus E-M5 Mark III
2) Panasonic Lumix G90/G95
3) Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
If you are unable to get one of the three cameras, use the inbuilt camera in your laptop and change the settings until you find the optimum pixels, hue, and color combination. Even the natural light near the window or an artificial white light falling on your face would accentuate the quality of the video.
Note: Most cameras have limits on the recording time – memory and battery. Be mindful when you record it and test it multiple times while integrating with an online application platform.
2) Buy a Good Mic
Even if you don’t invest in a camera, a good mic compensates for the video quality.
Here are four mics we recommend:
• Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Dynamic Handheld Vocal Microphone ($99) (plug and play)
• Audio-Technica AT2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone ($149) (plug and play)
• Blue Yeti USB Condenser Microphone ($129.99) (plug and play)
• Shure SM7B ($399) – best in the market. Need a pre-amp to capture your voice.
Once the mic is set, record these sentences:
Oak is strong and also gives shade.
Cats and dogs each hate the other.
The pipe began to rust while new.
Open the crate but don't break the glass.
Add the sum to the product of these three.
Thieves who rob friends deserve jail.
The ripe taste of cheese improves with age.
Act on these orders with great speed.
The hog crawled under the high fence.
Move the vat over the hot fire.
If you can hear a pop sound in each sentence, use pop filters to negate the plosives.
3) Failsafe Internet Connection
We recommend applicants to avoid public Wi-Fi connections for recording sessions as you would have less control over the interruption. Make sure that you have a backup connection for the session.
Most Business Schools will give you 2-3 chances to re-record your answers. Therefore, a foolproof internet connection is mandatory.
4) Set up the Environment
a) Software
Close any unnecessary software including multiple browsers, adobe updater, email client software, and chat applications and allocate 90% of the processing power for the recording session. Use process explorer to evaluate CPU utilization. You don’t want to record a video session and later see embarrassing chat and email notifications popping up. Also, record the answers on full-screen mode.
b) Lighting
Like sound, lighting could compensate for the lack of a good camera.
Your phone light or a simple set of table lamp placed strategically will give the ‘bright’ effect that would help you stand out from the background and convey a pleasant feeling about your candidacy.
Check out Dave 2D’s YouTube channel for the ‘bright’ effect. See how he illuminates the background with a simple light setting. The desks are wide enough to separate him from the camera and offer depth, while the fill light is cleverly placed to accentuate him and the products he is reviewing.
If the recording is during the daytime, move closer to the window where the natural light source is uninterrupted.
Let the light fall on the subject – in this case, “you.” Don’t beam the light source to the viewer.
c) Noise
Make your room soundproof by using a blanket cocooned around your desk space.
Close the door and windows, check for AC Noise, and other minor but irritating noises like the buzzing of the mic.
If you cannot control the noise in the apartment/house and your neighborhood dog’s unprecedented barking, Shure SM7B Mic is the best option as it cuts out all the noise and requires a pre-amp to even hear your vocals.
The $399 + pre-amp cost might be a deterrent. Since everyone and their imaginary friend is podcasting, the investment wouldn’t go wasted as you in the near future would require podcasting to stand-out in a crowded job market.
d) Interruption
Ask your friend, colleague, partner, or family to guard your recording room against any unwanted interruption.
e) Dress Code
Even if you are recording the session at home - maintain the dress code.
Recommended Dress Code
Men: Suit and Tie. No Jeans and T-shirt. No shorts. No Jewelry except watch.
Women: Pants, Suit, or a skirt suit. No revealing outfits. No short shorts. No Jeans and T-shirt. Minimal Jewelry.
6) Prepare
During the video essay session, schools prompt questions randomly from their question bank, giving little opportunity for the applicants to respond in a competent manner. Prepare for all the questions in the question bank, script it, and record it for fluency and authenticity.
7) Focus on the Question
Schools allot 1 minute for each question. Therefore, pay close attention to the question, understand the context, and answer the question without deviating from the main point. Applicants have the option to rewrite and edit written essays, but for a video essay, they don’t have this luxury. A stopwatch app for iPhone or android would be handy for practice sessions. With practice, you will learn to focus on the question.
