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Frequently Asked Questions about Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field Trips

Questions About Submitting Video Questions

What are video questions?
I want to submit video questions, but I don’t have a video camera. Help!
When are the video questions due?
How should I record the video questions?
Is there any paperwork involved?
What format do the videos need to be in?
What are other video specifications?
What are other audio specifications?
I have several students with questions. Does each question have to be a separate file?
How do I send the video questions?
To whom do I send the video questions?
How can I get a DVD of the live broadcast?
Will you tell me if one of my students’ questions is going to be aired?
What happens to video questions that don’t get aired?
I saw students talking to you via live video chat. How can my students do that?
I still need help! Whom do I contact?

What are video questions?
Video questions are another way for students to interact with Colonial Williamsburg historians and interpreters in Electronic Field Trips. In addition to phoning in questions during the broadcast, emailing a character the week of the field trip, or posting opinions and questions on the message board all school year, students can pre-record their questions on camera. The video clips can be sent to us in advance and aired during the broadcast.

I want to submit video questions, but I don’t have a video camera. Help!
If you don’t have a video camera, remember many digital cameras and computers with webcams have the ability to capture video. Feel free to send this information home with your students and let them record their own video questions for homework. This is a good way to get parents and other family members involved in what your student is doing in your classroom!

When are the video questions due?
In order to be considered for on-air use, video questions must be sent to us one week before the broadcast. The due dates for the remainder of the 2009–2010 season are: Emissaries of Peace: October 7 A More Perfect Union: November 11 Jamestown Unearthed: December 2 Westward!: January 6 The Slave Trade: Feb 3 The Rights of Youth: March 3 Treasure Keepers: April 14

How should I record the video questions?

Students should address themselves to the camera as follows: “My name is [FIRST NAME ONLY] from [CITY, STATE], and I would like to know, [QUESTION]”.
Shoot the video in a quiet location and have the student speak clearly and distinctly.
In total, questions should be no longer than 15 seconds.
Focus on one student, not a large group.
Try to use an interesting background. Please avoid shooting against plain white walls and windows.
Students should not wear shirts or hats with company, product, or professional sports logos.

Is there any paperwork involved?
Each person appearing on camera must submit a completed Consent Form to appear on the EFT broadcast. For anyone under age 18, this form must be filled out and signed by a parent or legal guardian. Please include this paperwork with your video submission. We CANNOT use any video question from students without this completed, signed consent form.

Download the consent form.

What format do the videos need to be in?
Please submit your video files in QuickTime or Windows Media format. Acceptable file formats include .MPEG-4, .MP4, .WMV, and .AVI.

What are other video specifications?

MPEG-4 or H.264 video encoding
Size: Minimum 320x240—keep the “Original Size” dimensions if possible
Minimum frame rate: 24
"High Quality" encode
"Multi-pass" for best quality
Key frame every 24 frames
"Better" to "Best" encoding quality

What are other audio specifications?

44.1 or 48 kHz audio sample rate
Stereo (LR) audio mix
High-quality audio

I have several students with questions. Does each question have to be a separate file?
No. However, we do ask that you leave at least 6 seconds between each question.

How do I send the video questions?
Please burn your video clips as movie files on a data CD or DVD and send them to us by mail. (If you need to overnight them, FedEx or UPS are preferable to USPS.)

To whom do I send the video questions?
Please send all materials to:
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Video Questions—BHS Room 123
P.O. Box 1776
Williamsburg, VA 23187
Please include all signed consent forms and the teacher’s contact information. We will let you know when we receive your package.

How can I get a DVD of the live broadcast?
You can order a DVD of the live broadcast for $19.95, including shipping. To order, please call our customer service line at 1-800-761-8331 or e-mail us at EFTSupport@cwf.org. Be sure to let us know if you want the morning or afternoon broadcast.

Will you tell me if one of my students’ questions is going to be aired?
Yes. We will let you know if we plan on using one of your students’ questions. Please note that we can’t guarantee that the question will air, as sometimes we experience technical difficulties or run over our allotted time.

What happens to video questions that don’t get aired?
After we have chosen video questions for the broadcast, up to 10 additional video questions will be answered via video clips and posted on the message board. We will try to answer all other submitted video questions the message board.

I saw students talking to you via live video chat. How can my students do that?
This season, in addition to sending video questions, schools are invited to participate in a live video chat during each broadcast. We look forward to students sharing their creativity by presenting short essays, demonstrating how they used one of our lesson plans, or showing off their program related projects. Contact Associate Producer Leslie Doiron at ldoiron@cwf.org or (757) 565-8432 if you have questions about how to participate in our live video chat.

I still need help! Whom do I contact?
For help with video questions ONLY, call (757) 565-8525, or send an email to skoernig@cwf.org.