Tips for Making Great Looking Videos
Technology has allowed all of us the ability to shoot video but not all videos are created equal. While you may think you need fancy cameras and microphones and a full studio to make a great video, the truth is that most of us hold the technology to make videos in the palm of our hand. The difference can be as simple as a few tips to making your video look like it was professionally shot.
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Topic/Length
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Lighting
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Framing/Composition/Zooming
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Audio
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Editing
We all have short attention spans so I will get right to the point and you should too when it comes to your video message.
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Script – Yes, we all are movie stars but even like a good actor, write something out and practice a few times to make sure you can stay on topic, get your message across and stick to the timeframe.
No matter what camera you have, lighting can make the biggest difference on whether your video is going to look great or if it is going to look like a low-budget “C” movie.
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Lots of Light – Use as much available light as possible and if you can, add any off camera lights to help if the area or subject is dark. There are lots of inexpensive light kits available online (Amazon) but you can easily take existing portable lights to help you add additional lighting for your shoot. Even a trip to a hardware store can help generate a decent DIY lighting setup for less than $100.
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Lock Focus and/or Exposure – While you are shooting on a mobile device, most cell phone cameras allow you to touch the area of the screen you wish to focus on and this will also give you the option to adjust and/or lock the exposure or iris. Some smartphone cameras are great at facial or object tracking, plus will have the technology to auto-adjust for the best lighting between your subject (foreground) and the background. We all know how distracting it is when the focus or lighting changes during a video and these can be prevented by knowing and practicing with your device.
Yes this sounds fancy and we have all seen a want-to-be director, use their hands to “frame” a shot but don’t laugh too hard because this can be helpful as you plan your video.
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Vertical vs. Horizontal – While different platforms have different requirements, it is always best to shoot your video with your phone in the horizontal position which would display normally on a widescreen tv. Shooting with the phone in a vertical position will leave unused space to the left and right of the video. Whatever you do, avoid switching between horizontal and vertical during the same video.
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Background – Determine what your camera will see in the frame, so you can make sure you are only showing what you want. Position your subject closer to the background to keep it and the subject in focus, which means the camera will be close to the subject and zoomed out (wide). The reverse is true if you want to have a sharp focus on your subject and create the blurred or soft background look. For this look, you will want the subject further away from the background and the camera to be further away from the subject which will require the camera to be zoomed in (tight).
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Angle – Some of the angle will be determined by what you want to show in the background, however when it comes to your subject being a person it is best to position the camera just above eye-level. If possible, use a tripod but if not, consider these few things to help steady the shot and angle:
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Keep the phone as close to your body as possible when shooting.
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Use a nearby object to steady your body and/or rest your elbows on an object.
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Use a grip-sack, sandbag or other soft pliable item on top of harder surfaces to position your phone to get the perfect angle and steady the shot.
While the video is very important, keep in mind the audio is just as important if you are having a subject speak on camera. Things to consider to help you get good quality audio:
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Example: Use one iPhone to record the video from the angle and composition you want. Simultaneously with a second iphone and the voice memo feature, position the second iphone as close to the subject as possible and preferably outside of the frame and just above the subject's head to record the audio.
The overall idea is to shoot your short videos without having to edit which will allow you to turn these around quickly. For some of your videos, these will be “live” on Facebook, which will leave little room for editing. But for those who are looking to edit videos and possibly do more complex or longer videos, then here are a few tips:
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Music – Adding some background music is always a great option, however make sure you are not using music which you do not own or have the proper copyright to use. This can include background music playing in the center during your shoot. If you are looking for some background music to add to your video, it is a good idea to check out the YouTube Audio Library (free account required) which has a good music selection.
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B-Roll – Always make sure you own the footage you are using as cover video (b-roll) in your videos. Avoid searching the web and just using footage you find online which might be subject to copyright laws. When shooting a short video, think about shooting footage of things the subject may be talking about. Showing what is being talked about is always better than seeing someone on camera talking.
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