Audiovisual content involves the recording, reproducing, representing or broadcasting of moving visual images and sounds in either a digital or analogue format. Most videos are now produced in digital formats.

Audiovisual content can be very effective if you want to engage viewers or explain something. Audiovisual content can:

  • help to communicate complex concepts and detailed stories
  • help with visualising 3D detail
  • demonstrate step-by-step methods for a procedure or experiment
  • show a wide variety of content, including people, locations, diagrams, graphs, still images, graphical elements, animation, data visualisation, 3D renderings, and footage from experiments or research findings
  • combine visual content with text, speech, effects and music
  • be built into digital documents, slide shows and websites
  • be shown on mobile devices, tablets or large-screen displays
  • take advantage of social media communication.

With digital video cameras now built into SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras and other devices such as mobile phones, video production is becoming more accessible. When combined with video production software, these portable devices can produce good results. However, videos can be difficult to produce and you may need expert help. Considerable time is required to produce an effective video presentation, and, if not well planned and executed, a video may discourage viewers from watching further. They can also be inaccessible to some users – alternative means of accessing content may need to be provided.

General audiovisual content production falls into story, visual and audio elements.

This section covers: