Author Video Guidelines

Revised 9/9/15

The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, JBJS Case Connector, JBJS Essential Surgical Techniques, and JBJS Reviews strongly encourage the submission of videos to supplement and enhance articles. All videos will undergo peer review. Videos must be uploaded via the Video Submissions Site (http://video-submissions.jbjs.org/). The site will provide you with video URL(s) to enter into Editorial Manager when submitting your paper online. Detailed instructions on how to use this site can be found at http://sites.jbjs.org/misc/video_upload_instructions.html.

Purpose of Video

Authors should consider using video whenever a visual or motion demonstration, or audio narration, would enhance a reader's understanding of the content or concept the author is trying to convey to the reader. Examples are using video (or motion animation) to demonstrate surgical technique, highlight key portions of experimental design, display experimental results, show motion on fluoroscopy, scroll through a series of MR/CT images, or exhibit a patient's functional outcome.

Editorial Standards

• Authors should strive to produce videos to a professional standard. Often, this can be done using readily available, consumer-grade hardware and software, without the need for a professional video crew to shoot and produce the video.
• Video content should be understandable independent of the article text. Careful planning or "storyboarding" will significantly enhance the overall quality of the content.
• Like figures, all videos require a call-out in the accompanying manuscript (e.g. "Video 1").
• All private health information or recognizable patient features should be cropped out, deleted, or "blurred out". If this is impossible or affects the purpose of the video, then written patient permission is required.
• Refrain from including proprietary institutional, industry, or other marketing information or displaying a logo on an overlay.
• Shorter, multiple video segments, shown in-line with the pertinent manuscript text, are preferable to a single, longer video that is more difficult for a viewer to navigate.

Production Standards

• All videos in excess of thirty seconds' duration should have an introductory text slide or "title card" that clearly states the nature and purpose of the video.
• All videos in excess of thirty seconds' duration should include clear and understandable narration. Where possible, the use of text titles can be extremely helpful as a visual guide. For example, "Step 1: Exposure".
• Whenever possible, use a tripod to stabilize the image and minimize shaking.
• The use of music should typically be avoided.
• When editing, please avoid use of transitions that employ special effects or are otherwise distracting. A simple cross-dissolve or fade is best.
• Videos that are under thirty seconds' duration should be submitted when a very specific result or finding is being demonstrated. For example, a smartphone video of a unique physical examination finding is acceptable without introduction or narration.

Surgical Videos

Videos that illustrate surgical technique should meet the following requirements:

• The viewer should be oriented to the position of the patient, the laterality of the extremity and anatomic orientation. An initial wide-angle shot and then zooming to the site of interest is helpful.
• Careful attention should be given to ensure as clear a surgical field as possible. Liberal use of sponges and suction is encouraged. Also, coordinate with surgical staff to avoid crossing of hands, sponges, and instruments into the field of view of the camera. Similarly, arthroscopic pump pressure may be slightly raised to reduce bleeding.
• Avoid use of white surgical gloves, as they reflect light and alter the white balance of the video. Brown or tan gloves are preferred.
• Proper lighting and focus on structures in a deep anatomic cavity can be challenging. If possible, run a test video. Use an adequate-size monitor screen to assess the results rather than the small screens on most cameras
• Arthroscopic video should clearly describe the location of viewing portal(s) and working portal(s). Displaying simultaneous videos in a "side by side" or "picture within a picture" format is useful.

Technical Standards

• Use the highest resolution possible. A minimum of 640 × 480, 30 frames/second is suggested.
• In most cases, videos should be less than five minutes' duration.
• The maximum individual file size is 2 GB.
• Do not compress video for purposes of cutting costs or ease of uploading.
• Although the mp4 (H.264 format) video file is preferred, most other video file types are acceptable, including: avi, mov, mpeg, mpg, or wmv.
• Video files should be named using the corresponding number of the video in the text.
• A complete description of recommended settings during recording and exporting can be found at http://tinyurl.com/bcvidup.

Audio and Microphone Recommendations

• For recording someone speaking on camera, use an inexpensive, wired, lapel microphone, with direct input into the video camera, to provide the best audio quality at minimum cost and complexity. This reduces the extraneous background noise (e.g., ventilation fans, EKG) considerably.
• For recording audio narration to accompany slides or other video with the narrator off camera, use a dedicated desktop microphone, Macbook internal mic, or lapel microphone, in a quiet room without any background noise.
• Please be aware of your rate of speech and adjust as needed to suit a diverse, international audience. Pauses and a comfortable speaking pace of around 100 spoken words per minute are recommended.
• If background sounds of the surgical procedure are desired, they can be included as a separate audio track at a reduced volume. However, be sure to delete any inappropriate language or private health information so it is not audible on the audio track.
• When joining different video clips together in final production, try to adjust the narrator's volume so that it is at a similar level throughout all of the video clips, thus providing a more seamless listening experience.