What Is a Screencast? A Quick and Easy Guide for Beginners

If you're a creator, you know there are endless ways to share your ideas with the world. One type of content that's worth exploring is the screencast video—a simple yet powerful way to teach, demonstrate, or guide your audience.

But what is a screencast, exactly? If you're curious, this time we'll cover how to create a screencast video from start to finish, including tips on preparation, recording, and making it look polished and professional. Let's dive in and make your first screencast a success!

Part 1. What is a Screencast and Why You Should Start Making Them Today

A screencast is essentially a type of explainer video that records your computer screen, usually with narration to explain what's going on. Chances are, you've probably watched a screencast video without even realizing it.

For example, if you've ever seen a YouTube tutorial where someone shows their screen and walks you through how to do something step by step, that's a screencast! Because of this, screencast videos are super handy and often used for things like tutorials, software demonstrations, online courses or E-learning, presentations, and walkthroughs.

What Do You Need to Create a Screencast?

Making a screencast video doesn't require a ton of fancy equipment. Here's what you'll need to get started:

• Screen Recording Software: Tools like Loom, OBS Studio, Screencast-O-Matic, or Camtasia are great for beginners. These let you record your screen and even add audio narration.
• Microphone: Since screencast videos involve narration, clear audio is key! Even a basic external mic can make a big difference in sound quality.
• Webcam: If you want to add a personal touch, you need a webcam for a face cam overlay so viewers can see you while you talk.
• Editing Software: Once you've recorded, polish your video with simple editing. Most screen recording tools have built-in editors, but you can also use software like Filmora.

Part 2. How to Create a Screencast Video in Just a Few Simple Steps

Now that you've got a good idea of what a screencast is and why it's so useful, it's time to learn how to make one! As we mentioned earlier, having the right tools makes all the difference. Honestly, there is no better option than Wondershare Filmora because you don't need to juggle between different apps.

With its advanced Screen Recording feature, you can record your voiceovers, screen, and even your webcam all at the same time, so you can capture everything you need in one go. And if that's not convincing enough for you, take a look at the table below to see why Filmora is the perfect choice to make screencast videos look and sound amazing.

As you can see from the table above, Filmora has everything you need if you want to learn how to make screencast videos. Not to mention, it works on both Windows and macOS, so you can edit no matter what device you're using. Plus, it's budget-friendly with flexible pricing plans, and there's even a free trial you can test out.

So, let's not waste any more time! Learn how to create a screencast video by using Filmora now! Here's a simple step-by-step guide to get started:

Step 1 Access Filmora and begin a new project

Before you start, make sure you've downloaded and installed the latest version of Filmora on your computer. Once it's set up, open the program and hit "New Project" to get to the main editing timeline.

Step 2 Record your content

Now it's time to start recording your content! For example, if you want to make a screencast video about film analysis, you can open up a Microsoft Word document, a PowerPoint presentation, or even a YouTube video as a reference while recording your screen and explaining the lesson.

With Filmora's Screen Recorder, you can even include your webcam so your viewers can see you as you present. Just click "Record" from the menu bar and select "Record PC Screen" to get started.

Next, click the square icon to select "Full Screen" for your recording. Make sure to turn on your microphone so it captures your voiceovers too.

If you want to appear in the video, like in some screencasts where the presenter explains the content, turn on your camera to show your reactions in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Once everything's set, hit the big red button to start recording!

When you're finished recording, just press "Esc" on your keyboard or click the stop option on the menu bar at the bottom. Your recording will automatically be added to Filmora's timeline, ready for editing.

Step 3 Add subtitles

Adding subtitles is a great way to make your screencast video easier to follow. With Filmora's Automatic Caption feature, it's super easy to do. Simply go to the "Titles" tab, select "AI Caption", and choose "Dynamic Captions".

Choose the language of the audio in your video. If you need translations, simply select the language you want. When you're ready, click "Generate", and the AI will take care of creating the subtitles of your narration.

After your video is transcribed, the dynamic subtitles will automatically appear. If you want to customize their look, head over to the "Text" tab, check out the "Templates" section, and choose a style that fits your video. Then, click "Apply to All" to update the captions throughout your entire video.

Step 4 Add music and edit audio

Make your screencast video more engaging by adding some background music. Click on the "Audio" tab and go to the "Music" section, where you'll find a bunch of royalty-free tracks to choose from. Browse through the options to find the one that fits your video best, or use the search bar to find one quickly, then drag it to the timeline.

Now that your screencast has music and narration, it's important to make sure your voiceovers are clear and easy to understand. Filmora's AI Audio Denoise and AI Voice Enhancer can help! Just click on your video clip in the timeline, open the property panel on the right, and select "Audio". Turn on the "AI Voice Enhancer" and "Denoise" options, then adjust the sliders to get the sound just right.

Step 5 Enhance your video

Check out Filmora's library for cool elements to enhance your video. For example, head to the "Stickers" tab and, since this video is about costumes, look for stickers that match the theme to make your video more visually interesting.

Feel free to check out other creative elements like filters, transitions, and effects to make it more visually engaging. Browse through the available options, choose the ones that suit your vibe, and apply them to your video. Don't be afraid to get creative and try different effects to make your content unique!

Step 6 Save your video

When your video is done, click "Export" in the top-right corner. To save it to your device, pick "Local". If you're sharing it online, choose "Social Media". Before you finish, double-check and update the title, description, format, and resolution to make sure everything's just right!

Part 3. Creative Ideas to Make Your Screencast Stand Out

As you can see, creating a screencast video with Filmora is not only simple but also enjoyable. However, just knowing how to make a screencast isn't enough to guarantee success, you also need to keep your audience interested and wanting more.

To help your videos stand out and leave a lasting impression, we'll give you some creative ideas to elevate your screencasts to the next level. With these tips and Filmora's powerful tools, your screencast videos will not only be informative but also visually appealing and memorable.

1.Have a strong script

Every great screencast starts with a solid script to keep your content clear and professional. Filmora makes this process even easier with its AI Copywriting feature, which can help you craft a well-structured script in no time.

2.Include Narrations

Adding voice narration can make your screencast video more personal and easier to follow. Filmora makes this simple with its Text-to-Speech tool, which lets you turn your written script into a voiceover without needing to record it yourself. It even has an AI voice generator with 48 tones and 33 languages.

3.Use Engaging Visuals

Eye-catching visuals are key to keeping your audience engaged. Thankfully, you can rely on Filmora's Royalty-Free Media Library. It gives you access to high-quality images, videos, and music that you can easily incorporate into your screencast to make it visually appealing.

4.Add Personal Branding

Make your screencasts uniquely yours by incorporating custom branding elements. In that case, Filmora offers templates and effects for creating custom intros, outros, watermarks, and logo reveals, helping your videos look polished and professional with minimal effort.

Conclusion

Screencast videos are a great way to share ideas, teach skills, or demo software. So, this guide covers what you need to know about screencasts, including how to create a screencast video. To create an awesome screencast, you'll need the right tools, like a screen recorder, microphone, and some solid editing software. That's where Wondershare Filmora steps in to make things easy.

With its built-in screen recorder, you can capture your screen, narrate with voiceovers, and even add a webcam view of yourself. On top of that, Filmora's packed with features like an extensive media library, interactive elements, and advanced editing tools to take your videos to the next level.

Stick to the tips in this guide, and you'll be creating screencasts that wow your audience in no time!