Recording a great video is a lot harder than it looks. Navigating complex “gee-whiz” camera features, finding a backdrop that that doesn’t include a pesky cat, controlling lighting, and capturing audio that sounds better than a submarine radio transmission can frustrate the most dedicated user. And each of these elements requires equipment and basic expertise to blend the right elements for a great -looking and -sounding video. 

Through a partnership between the UI Libraries and ITS Office of Teaching, Learning & Technology, the UI campus now offers a new solution called the One Button Studio. Now that students and instructors with little or no experience can produce high-quality videos with the click of a button, recording high-quality video production has never been easier. 

“The One Button Studio will give students a much needed resource to practice and record class presentations,” says Brittney Thomas, Learning Commons Coordinator.

Each studio provides blue- and green- screen capabilities, automated 2-point lighting, and ready-to-go audio and camera operation. The simple technology allows users to focus on the important part—creating a high-quality presentation. Compression is done automatically and the One Button Studio exports an mp4 file to a memory stick provided by users. As simple as click-and-go.

“Working with campus partners, the One Button Studio is our campus solution to support faculty and students to easily infuse class assignments and projects with digital media and technology experience,” says Thomas.

Modeled on Penn State University’s units, Iowa’s One Button Studios are located in the Main Library and Hardin Library.  Penn State reported several thousand recordings made in just the first year after launching in 2013. 

If you would like a tour or are considering using the One Button Studio in your class, please complete this form at http://tinyurl.com/LIB-StudioTour and visit our online website http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/onebuttonstudio.