Getting Ready to Shoot Your Video
Before you hit the record button and start shooting your first take, test for video and audio quality. Do a test shot.
You want video and sound to be working great before leaping in to do your actual recording.
You want video and sound to be working great before leaping in to do your actual recording.
VIEWING & FRAMING
If you have a camera/camera phone that will show you your framing in 16:9, use it – closes to widescreen aspect ratio. Orientation – have your camera/camera phone orientated horizontally (landscape). Do not film in vertical viewing.
LOCATION
You can film anywhere, keep in mind of sound and privacy. If you have people moving around and talking in your space, it’s going to be hard to capture good sound. Privacy also has the added benefit of making you feel more at ease if you don’t have to worry about people around you.
SET UP & LIGHTING
Record where there’s a fairly consistent light source and well lit. Also, place your camera around eye level instead of filming looking up or down at the camera. Avoid situation where you are back lit.
FOCUS
There’s not much more frustrating than shooting an entire video and realizing afterward that you were out of focus the whole time! Make sure that your camera’s auto-focus is turned off. You’ll want to turn this off just in case something happens during the filming that would cause the auto setting to search around for a new focus point.
If you’re shooing by yourself, use a Stand In. Place something roughly as tall as you in the position you intend to stand (or sit, but remember, then it will need to be as tall as your sitting position). Anything will do — a plant, a piece of furniture, or a light stand (this works really well). With the stand-in in place, go over to your camera and focus on the object.
DIALOGUE
It’s a great idea to go through the questions beforehand. Keeping the camera going, simply do multiple takes if you stumble. Keep in mind, we keep the best take and cut the others out. This takes far less time than it does to start and stop the camera between every single take.
LICENSING ISSUES
Avoid product placement of any brands. You do not need to remove them, simply flip/turn the label away from line of sight/in view of the shot.
CINEMATOGRAPHY (Optional)
For interest, frame the image off center during the “interview session” and in close-up where we can see the eyes (this may require you to crop off the top of the head).
If you have a camera/camera phone that will show you your framing in 16:9, use it – closes to widescreen aspect ratio. Orientation – have your camera/camera phone orientated horizontally (landscape). Do not film in vertical viewing.
LOCATION
You can film anywhere, keep in mind of sound and privacy. If you have people moving around and talking in your space, it’s going to be hard to capture good sound. Privacy also has the added benefit of making you feel more at ease if you don’t have to worry about people around you.
SET UP & LIGHTING
Record where there’s a fairly consistent light source and well lit. Also, place your camera around eye level instead of filming looking up or down at the camera. Avoid situation where you are back lit.
FOCUS
There’s not much more frustrating than shooting an entire video and realizing afterward that you were out of focus the whole time! Make sure that your camera’s auto-focus is turned off. You’ll want to turn this off just in case something happens during the filming that would cause the auto setting to search around for a new focus point.
If you’re shooing by yourself, use a Stand In. Place something roughly as tall as you in the position you intend to stand (or sit, but remember, then it will need to be as tall as your sitting position). Anything will do — a plant, a piece of furniture, or a light stand (this works really well). With the stand-in in place, go over to your camera and focus on the object.
DIALOGUE
It’s a great idea to go through the questions beforehand. Keeping the camera going, simply do multiple takes if you stumble. Keep in mind, we keep the best take and cut the others out. This takes far less time than it does to start and stop the camera between every single take.
LICENSING ISSUES
Avoid product placement of any brands. You do not need to remove them, simply flip/turn the label away from line of sight/in view of the shot.
CINEMATOGRAPHY (Optional)
For interest, frame the image off center during the “interview session” and in close-up where we can see the eyes (this may require you to crop off the top of the head).
DYI Tripod for Your Phone
Two Large Binder Clips & Scrap Paper
|
Beer/Soda Bottle, a Couple of Pens, Rubberband, and some Wires
|
Table Clamp
|