Creators: The Real Time Investment Behind Every Course Video (And How to Make it Manageable)
You pour your heart into your course content. You want it to be engaging, informative, and truly valuable. But when you sit down to plan your next video module, a critical question inevitably pops up: “Seriously, how long is this actually going to take me?”
If you’ve ever felt frustrated because a “simple” 10-minute video swallowed your entire week, you’re far from alone. The gap between hitting ‘record’ and having a polished, published video lesson is often vast, filled with numerous unseen steps. Let’s break down the real timeline behind creating quality course videos, moving beyond the camera time to understand where those precious hours truly go.
Beyond the “Record” Button: The Hidden Phases
Forget the myth that video creation equals filming time plus a quick edit. The reality involves distinct phases, each demanding its own slice of your schedule:
1. Planning & Scripting (The Blueprint):
Content Outline: Structuring the key points, learning objectives, and flow for the specific video. Are you explaining a concept, demonstrating a software feature, or walking through a case study? This foundational step ensures clarity and focus. Time: 30 mins – 2+ hours (depends on complexity).
Scripting vs. Talking Points: Some creators thrive with detailed, word-for-word scripts for precision and pacing. Others prefer bullet-point outlines for a more natural, conversational feel. Scripting often takes significantly longer but can reduce filming errors and re-takes. Time: Detailed Script (1-3 hours for a 10-min vid), Bullet Points (15-60 mins).
Visual Planning: Deciding on screen elements: Will you need slides (PowerPoint/Keynote/Google Slides)? Screen recordings? Physical props? Diagrams? Planning these visuals before filming saves huge headaches later. Time: 30 mins – 2 hours.
2. Setup & Environment (The Stage):
Tech Setup: Camera positioning, lighting adjustment, microphone check, ensuring screen recording software is configured, double-checking audio levels. Is your background clean and professional? Time: 15 – 45 mins per filming session (can be faster with a permanent setup).
Mental Setup: Getting into the right headspace to deliver the content clearly and energetically, especially if switching topics or after a break. Time: Variable, but factor it in!
3. Filming (Action!… Mostly):
The Actual Recording: This is the part most people think of. But even here, it’s rarely one smooth take. Expect multiple takes for flubbed lines, background noise interruptions (hello, lawnmowers!), technical glitches, or moments where you simply lose your train of thought. Time: Rule of Thumb – Filming time is often 2x to 4x the final video length. So, a target 10-minute final video might require 20-40 minutes (or more!) of raw footage capture.
Multiple Angles/Sources: If filming yourself and your screen, or switching between camera angles, this adds complexity and time per segment.
4. Editing & Post-Production (The Magic… and the Marathon):
Ingestion & Organization: Transferring large video files, organizing clips, labeling takes. Time: 10-30 mins.
The Rough Cut: Assembling the best takes in the right order, cutting out major flubs and long pauses. Time: 1.5x to 3x the raw footage length. So, 30 minutes of raw footage might take 45-90 mins for a rough assembly.
Fine Cut & Polishing: This is where the time really accumulates:
Trimming: Tightening pauses between sentences, removing “ums” and “ahs” (if desired).
Transitions: Adding simple cuts or dissolves between clips or segments.
B-Roll & Visuals: Adding and synchronizing slides, screen recordings, graphics, stock footage, or text overlays. This is often the biggest time sink. Finding the right b-roll, animating elements (even simply), and timing it perfectly takes significant effort. Time: Can easily add 1-3 hours+ per video, depending on complexity.
Color & Audio Correction: Basic adjustments for consistent lighting and clear, balanced sound. Time: 15-45 mins.
Music & Sound Effects: Finding royalty-free music, adjusting levels so it doesn’t overpower your voice. Time: 15-30 mins.
Rendering & Export: Waiting for the editing software to process and output the final video file. Time: Variable (can be 10 mins to over an hour, often passive time).
5. The Extras (The Icing… and More Time):
Graphics/Animation: Custom animations, complex lower thirds (name titles), or intricate diagrams require significant design skills or time in animation software. Time: Hours to days, potentially outsourced.
Closed Captions/Subtitles: Crucial for accessibility and SEO. While AI tools help, reviewing and correcting auto-generated captions is essential. Time: 1x to 1.5x the video length. (10-min video = 10-15 mins review/correction).
Thumbnail Creation: Designing an engaging thumbnail image that encourages clicks. Time: 15-60 mins.
Platform Upload & Description: Uploading the final video file (which can be slow), writing the video title and description, adding relevant tags. Time: 15-30 mins.
So, What’s the Bottom Line? The Realistic Timeline
Let’s put it together for a common scenario: A 10-minute “talking head” + slides video, of moderate complexity (some b-roll, basic editing, captions needed).
Planning/Scripting: 1.5 hours
Setup: 30 mins
Filming (2.5x target length): 25 mins
Editing (Rough Cut): 40 mins
Editing (Fine Cut/Polishing/B-Roll): 2 hours
Audio/Color Correction: 20 mins
Captions Review: 12 mins
Thumbnail: 20 mins
Upload/Description: 20 mins
Rendering/Passive Time: 30 mins
Estimated Total Active Time: ~6-7 hours for a 10-minute video.
Factors That Significantly Alter Your Timeline:
Experience: Seasoned creators streamline workflows and make fewer filming/editing mistakes.
Video Type: Simple screen recordings are faster than multi-camera studio setups or complex animations.
Perfectionism: How much polishing is “enough”? Chasing absolute perfection can double editing time.
Tools & Tech: Efficient software, a dedicated space, and good hardware (fast computer!) speed things up.
Rehearsal: Knowing your script cold reduces filming time and retakes.
Outsourcing: Hiring editors, captioners, or designers drastically reduces your personal time commitment.
Making the Process More Efficient (Saving Your Sanity):
1. Batch Film: Record multiple videos in one session. Setup time is paid once, and you stay in the flow state.
2. Template Everything: Use templates for scripts, slide decks, thumbnails, and even your editing project files.
3. Master Your Core Tools: Deep knowledge of your camera, microphone, and editing software prevents technical delays.
4. Set Realistic Standards: Define your “Minimum Viable Video” quality. Is every “um” worth removing? Does every slide need animation?
5. Invest in Setup: A permanent or quickly replicable filming space eliminates hours of setup per session.
6. Leverage AI Tools: Use AI for initial caption drafts, script outlining, or even generating basic visuals (use ethically and review carefully!).
7. Outsource Strategically: Identify your biggest time sinks (editing? graphics?) and consider outsourcing them first.
8. Track Your Time: Use a simple timer to understand your actual workflow times for different video types. This is invaluable for planning future projects and pricing courses.
The Takeaway: Respect the Process
Creating genuinely valuable course videos is rarely a quick task. Understanding the multi-phase nature of production – from deep planning to meticulous editing – helps you set realistic expectations and schedule effectively. It’s not about rushing through each stage; it’s about working smarter within each one. By acknowledging the true time investment and implementing efficiency strategies, you can reduce friction, maintain quality, and actually get those impactful videos published without burning out. Your students benefit from the polish, and your future self will thank you for the sanity saved. Now go create! (And maybe batch film a few while you’re at it…)
Please indicate: Thinking In Educating » Creators: The Real Time Investment Behind Every Course Video (And How to Make it Manageable)