Key Considerations

The guidelines on this page are for photo and video producers creating content to market the University. They do not apply to photos and videos produced by faculty, staff, or students as part of academic research or coursework.

When creating a photo or video content about the University, you should use standard elements to ensure the look and feel supports the PVAMU brand.

In addition to using a consistent top, tail, watermark, and lower third treatment, consider these guidelines:

  • Use a visual style that follows the guiding principles for PVAMU imagery.
  • If you are incorporating hard-coded text overlays, use Aileron or Secondary text Arial.

PVAMU in Pictures

PVAMU boasts an ever-changing, growing, beautiful and vibrant campus. We want to showcase all of PVAMU’s beauty – including its faculty, staff and students. When you want to use photography and video imagery of to highlight PVAMU, the images should be of specific, identifiable persons or places on campus. There is a strong preference for utilizing current students, faculty staff and alumni. All photos and videos must be quality, high resolution, action oriented (nothing too “staged”) and must be approved by the Office of Marketing and Communications prior to use/distribution.

Getting a good image requires careful planning, execution and selection. Our photography style reflects and reinforces our brand by spotlighting our students, faculty and alumni ambassadors.

Things to note when planning photo shoots for the university to be used externally.

  • Photographing “normal things on campus, partnered with an iconic PVAMU background.
  • Avoid harsh light.
  • Poses and facial expressions that are appropriate for the subject, including candid shots or personality poses.
  • Use of action shots – nothing too posed. Avoid “stock images” when possible. We like to show off our campus and our students in a real way.
  • A sense of place, using familiar PVAMU locations, icons and traditions.
  • When possible, the inclusion of something PVAMU specific. Try to incorporate the brand colors (purple and gold), logo (university or athletic), familiar faces and spaces or any spirit item that represents the PVAMU brand.

Photo Release Form

A photo or video of students, professors or alumni helps us tell the PVAMU story. Most campus photography is in a public setting and should not require a release form, unless they will be utilized in marketing materials for the University. However, when in doubt, have your subject fill one out. **Always have release forms signed for minors.

Exceptions to this best practice include crowd scenes with no prominent person featured, event coverage and breaking news.

Video Recording Specifications

Aspect Ratio

16:9 Ratio
The aspect ratio is important for the viewing experience because the more a video fills the screen, the more immersive an experience it provides. Most modern screens setting are 16 by 9 ratio—therefore, the video should be produced in a 16:9 ratio.

Exception
Social Media, i.e., Instagram

Square and carousel: 1080 x 1080 pixels, 1:1 aspect ratio
Portrait: 1080 x 1350 pixels, 4:5 aspect ratio
Landscape: 1080 x 608 pixels, 16:9 aspect ratio

Video Quality

Resolution

  • Videos produced for PVAMU should be recorded at a minimum of and exported at 1080p HD quality.
  • No footage below 1080p should be used unless it is archival footage.

Framerate

  • 24fps video is PVAMU standard.
  • 60fps for all slow-motion footage (anything less will cause choppy, gritty footage)
  • Different framerates can be used for different purposes, especially in creating “slow-motion” video. Therefore, skilled cinematographers should use their professional discretion to decide what framerate to record.
  • Except for extenuating circumstances (newsreels, archival footage, broadcast-legal, etc.), all final videos should be output at 24 fps (true 23.98 fps).

Color Correction/Grading

  • Color correction and grading should only be attempted by a professional with experience.
  • IF VIDEO IS NOT – When the video is not going to be professionally color-corrected, it should be filmed in “standard” color mode, which allows for the most natural in-camera color and saturation.

  • IF VIDEO IS – When a video is color corrected/graded, it should be filmed in a “flat” color profile or LUT. Some cameras have this setting built in, which comes in different names (S-Log, C-Log, Cine, etc.). Videographers should discuss with editors and project managers which setting makes the most sense per project.

  • Final videos should be graded to natural colors—not over/under-saturated or too heavily influenced in one color direction.

Audio

Background Noise

  • Avoid locations with background noise whenever possible.
  • Wireless lavalier mics should be set to frequencies that avoid frequency noise.

Microphone Placement

  • Shotgun microphones should not be visible.
  • Lavalier mics may be visible, but cords/cables should be hidden.

Sound Effects

  • If sound effects are used, the sound should be clean and professional.
  • Sound effects should only be used for subtle effects. (e.g., A dim whoosh, low bass for emphasis, etc.)
  • No funny noises or laugh tracks.

Audio Quality Standards

  • Avoid distortion/clipping.
  • If audio includes incidental background noise, remove noise whenever possible without introducing noise-reduction artifacts.
  • Speech should be limited to a maximum of -3dB.
  • Compression may be used to normalize audio levels, without artifacts or distortion.

Accessibility Services

Go to pvutube.hosted.panopto.com

  1. Click Signing
  2. Select PvPanther
  3. Login with your PVAMU credentials
  4. Uploaded Completed Video
  5. Download Video with Subtitles

Graphics

Lower Thirds Positioning

  • Positioning of the lower thirds depends on the side the subject is facing.
  • Lower thirds should be placed on opposite sides of the subject.

Lower Thirds Title Fonts

  • Use Aileron Arial Bold for names and titles.
  • Font size for names is larger than the font size for titles.

Introductory and Closing Screens

  • Informative videos, such as lectures and info-sessions, should include an introduction title page at some point in the first 10 seconds.
  • Promotional videos, event highlights, and videos for social media should not include an introductory screen.
  • All videos should end with the standard PVAMU logo title and website.
  • If it is unclear whether a video requires introductory screens or not, please reach out to the Office of Marketing and Communications.