Get tips and resources for creating your GRADflix video.
If you have any questions about creating a video for GRADflix, please reach out to gradexperience@uwaterloo.ca or attend a GRADflix advice drop-in session during the competition season. You can also get valuable communication advice through the Writing and Communication Centre and on the use of copyrighted material through the Library.
Learn how to make a video
Creating as a beginner
Tools to edit and create
Need some inspiration before you start creating? Check out past GRADflix submissions for examples of stop motion animation, animation, live action, mixed media, and vertical videos.
Video creation platforms
Get started with the list of free or low-cost platforms and short tutorials, recommended by past competitors.
| Video creation platform | Tutorials |
|---|---|
| Canva | |
| PowerPoint | |
| Powtoon | |
| Doodly | |
| DaVinci Resolve | |
| CapCut | |
| Clipchamp | |
| iMovie | |
| OpenShot | |
| Renderforest |
Royalty-free assets
The following websites offer royalty-free music, images, and video clips. If you wish to use third-party content in your video, please review the copyright resources provided by the Library. It is your responsibility to ensure you are obtaining and using material appropriately and legally.
Equipment loans
To support you in creating a high-quality research communication video, GSPA offers a limited selection of equipment for short-term loan (up to two weeks). While you don’t need special gear to participate, these tools can help you capture smoother video and clearer audio using just your phone.
Available equipment
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Gimbal (electronic stabilizer): Helps reduce shakiness, ideal if you plan to move while filming for smooth, steady footage.
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Gorillapod with cellphone holder: A compact tripod for stable, fixed-angle shots.
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Lapel microphone: A clip-on mic that improves audio quality, especially in noisy environments.
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Miniature shotgun microphone: Attaches directly to your phone to capture clear audio from a subject further away.
How to borrow equipment
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Email gradexperience@uwaterloo.ca with the device(s) you’d like to borrow and the date(s) needed.
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Equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis (only one of each item).
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You may borrow devices for up to two weeks, then return them to GSPA for other participants.
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Pickup/drop-off details and simple instructions will be emailed once your request is confirmed.
Attend a drop-in session!
Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA), the Writing and Communication Centre, and other campus partners are here to support you throughout the GRADflix competition season. Join any of the scheduled drop-in advice sessions to ask questions, get tips, and receive feedback on your script or video.
Thursday, October 23, 2025 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT (GMT -04:00)
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 10:00 am - 11:00 am EST (GMT -05:00) Wednesday, January 21, 2026 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST (GMT -05:00)GRADflix Advice Drop-In Session
Ask questions, get tips, and obtain feedback on your GRADflix script and/or video.
Tips, tricks, and best practices
You can now choose to submit your GRADflix video in horizontal or vertical format. GRADflix videos will be showcased by GSPA on our YouTube and Instagram channels. After the competition, you may also wish to share and post your video on other platforms or submit to other competitions like the SSHRC Storytellers competition, which may have different video format requirements.
| Horizontal | Vertical |
|---|---|
|
|
Know your audience
Telling your story
Multimodal communication
Copyright considerations
Embedding subtitles
Your video must have embedded subtitles in English that are in Arial, Roboto Medium, or a closely comparable font, in size 28 or larger. See Liam Bursey’s GRADflix video for an example of embedded subtitles. The video editing platform you use may already have this as a feature!
If the video platform you are using does not have an embedded subtitles feature, consider using one of these alternatives:
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Copying, pasting, or uploading subtitles created by YouTube
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Add subtitles using Canva
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Use subtitle software like HappyScribe