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This is a little different than what your scenario is, but it may help
you. We are developing on-line training for our new business systems
software. This training involves almost every employee and is critical
to doing business. Part of our training involves using screen cam
movies that show a perfectly executed process. This is complete with
audio and both the voice and video are done from a carefully prepared
script. It will be used in conjunction with classroom training where
the facilitator will also have a script of the process.
At any rate, I think that video is a useful supplement to either written
or on-line material.
Thanks,
Nicole Canter
Technical Writer
Information Technology
Phone: (205) 963-6306
Fax: (205) 963-8717
nicole -dot- canter -at- adtran -dot- com
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Cary Watson [SMTP:CWatson853 -at- AOL -dot- COM]
>Sent: Thursday, November 13, 1997 8:11 PM
>To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
>Subject: QUESTION: Corporate videos and technical writing.
>
>I am moving into the technical writing field from a background in writing
>corporate video scripts in the areas of marketing, training, promotion, and
>policy. Many of the scripts I've done have essentially been technical
>writing documents written for the small screen.
>
>My question(s) for the listserv is about where the line is drawn (if there is
>one) between video writing and technical writing. Do or should technical
>writers use videos to complement or replace documents? Are videos considered
>too expensive to produce? Is the writing of videos deemed to be outside the
>purview of technical writers? What is your experience with videos?
>
>The company I work for is very uncertain when it comes to the idea of
>producing videos; some think they are somehow too "arty"; others worry about
>the expense; and others aren't sure how effective a video is in educating or
>influencing an audience.
>
>I'd welcome some help with this issue, and feel free to quiz me if there are
>some things you'd like to know about writing corporate videos.
>
>Cary Watson
>CWatson853 -at- aol -dot- com
>
>
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>