Torley's 13 rules to making good video tutorials

I'm not an avant-garde filmmaker, but I've learned to think like one: in the process of making well over 100 video tutorials, certain on-the-fly methods have congealed into formal structures, best practices which've served me well. By "formal", I don't mean they're impervious to reinterpretation and adaptation, but rather, they've worked consistently and aided in my creation process. Thus, a philosophy, a "series bible" of sorts emerges, inspired by the work of Dogme95 and others who made their own rules to live and film by.

Should future video tutorial/screencast makers wish to learn from what I've done, here is my manifesto of general guidelines:

1. The action must be improvised, like vines snaked around a pillar of principles. Key points are allowed to be synthesized beforehand, but rehearsing what will be filmed is forbidden. (An exception to this is when collaborating with other teams at Linden Lab, who may prefer a more scripted approach.)
    
2. No scenes can be staged, no fake enthusiasm is allowed. If bystanders' non-essential reaction is desired but not obtained, accept it and move on. Example: "Text chat macros".
    
3. Bugs must be left in, to the extent that they do not grievously interfere with the overall work. Issue Tracker #s and context should, as often as possible, be provided for the education of the viewers. There will always be bugs, but hiding them is dishonest and causes unrealistic expectations.
    
4. Surprise while filming is encouraged. While thorough inworld experience and knowledge of the user interface is admirable, one cannot be prepared for every situation and mishap. Explanations should be given as unexpected events happen.
    
5. Maintain an emphasis on presenting an accurate portrayal of Second Life as a Resident will actually experience it. Everything shown must be doable by a computer meeting the System Recommendations. Video quality can have brightness and contrast added for clarity, but other undue artificial enhancements are forbidden unless they are blatant special effects. 
    
6. Narration must be memorable, and can be paced appropriately for the subject matter: rapid discourse is appropriate for a QUICKTIP, while newcomer-oriented material should be paced to allow time for breathing and learning.
    
7. Text subtitles should be terse and arranged pleasingly as to not obscure elements of interest. Occasional trivia to add cultural flavor is welcome.
    
8. Pans and zooms should be used to assist focus and compensate for deteriorated video quality on the World Wide Web.
    
9. Multiple takes are allowed, but preferably kept to a minimum as they degrade the live process. 4 or less is a good rule of thumb.
    
10. The video tutorial template file must be improved as new items for streamlining are identified. The slop must be chopped, with efficiency gains repeatedly applied in a cry of joyous attrition.
     
11. Lucid agility is key. With minimal exceptions, no single video tutorial should take longer than 10 hours to film, edit, render, & publish. If more time-consuming, then proportional gains need to be measured and demonstrated. Else, the time spent was not worth it. 
     
12. New tools must regularly be identified and utilized to distribute and promote the video tutorials, making them easier to find. Education is useless if it is not accessible.
     
13. Credit must be given as due, above and beyond, whenever possible. Openly thank fellow Residents for their contributions, including viewership, suggestions, and featured content. Be an avid replier to worthwhile commentary and discussion. Be gracious — "Friendly greetings!" is not a mere saying, it is a way of life. Second Life.  

Any I didn't mention that should be on here?

Tagged as: General, Ideas, Video