Introduction

This chapter describes our experience filming virtual gaming simulations. Please note, we are not trained in cinematography, but instead have learned various skills when working with professionals, and have learned through trial and error when filming the virtual simulations.

Filming and the use of audiovisual materials are not a new concept in health education. Filming practical skills, instructional videos, and simulations have been an effective supplementary teaching and learning strategy for many years. Using videos in your virtual gaming simulations can enhance realism and mimic real clinical situations the learners may encounter. It can foster authenticity of the clinical scene, connect theoretical content to practice using a visual medium, and illustrate person-centered approaches when caring for a client.

In post-secondary education, practice skills are traditionally learned during labs, which is commonly scheduled for a limited time each week. Students are required to continue to practice their skills during their own time in preparation for their clinical practicum. Booking extra lab time, outside of their assigned class, can be challenging due to limited resources and lab space availability. To help address these challenges, virtual gaming simulations provide students with the opportunity to learn the required skills anytime, anywhere, at their own pace, and with the ability to pause and replay the virtual simulation as needed.

Multimedia components within the virtual gaming simulation can support students’ accountability to practice the skills by watching how the healthcare provider communicates and performs the required skills. Incorporating audiovisual media teaching strategies can support students’ development of their own clinical competency and clinical judgment skills in a safe learning environment.

There are various types of media you can choose to use in your virtual gaming simulation. Each of the audiovisual media techniques — filming, photography, audio, or a combination — requires preparation.

Preparation can include, but is not limited to

• Choosing your medium: filming, photography, audio, or a combination of the various types (e.g., screencast).
• Learning how to use that medium:
  • camera (e.g., point and shoot, DSLR, phone, 360 camera), camera settings, techniques, lenses, megapixels;
  • microphone (e.g., camera built in microphone, lavalier, shotgun, or boom)
  • lighting (e.g., 2 point, sun, direct)’
  • angles, filters, diffusers, cables, file formats;
  • editing (e.g., free or purchased programs) and more depending on the device used.
• Location: how many locations are required for the script and availability, including break and change rooms.
• Rehearsing for filming.
• Actors: wardrobe, make-up, moulage, props.
• Environment: colour of clothing/materials for scenes, windows/natural light, physical appearance of walls, floors, equipment.
• Editing software (e.g., Adobe, iMovie).
• Consent forms and confidentiality guidelines on site.

Listen to Maya Washington, from the YouTube Creator channel, a video on Total Beginner’s Guide to Video Equipment provides a brief overview of equipment needed when filming videos.