1. Plan Before You Shoot
Creating an outline of what you want your final video to look like will help you know what shots you need to get, so that when you are finally editing your video, you’ll know you have everything you need.
Creating an outline of what you want your final video to look like will help you know what shots you need to get, so that when you are finally editing your video, you’ll know you have everything you need.
2. Pay attention to lighting
Make the most of the available lighting in the room. This may mean making sure that all of the lights in the room are switched on. If you’re filming in a room with large windows, try to sit facing the window. Avoid sitting behind a bright light source: if your camera is set to auto exposure you will appear very dark in the frame. Use any good, direct source to light your face and shoulders desk lamp, two LED flashlights pointed toward you, etc.
Make the most of the available lighting in the room. This may mean making sure that all of the lights in the room are switched on. If you’re filming in a room with large windows, try to sit facing the window. Avoid sitting behind a bright light source: if your camera is set to auto exposure you will appear very dark in the frame. Use any good, direct source to light your face and shoulders desk lamp, two LED flashlights pointed toward you, etc.
3. Frame the presenter correctly
A common mistake is to frame the presenter with too much head room. As a rule of thumb, ensure that the eyes of the presenter are about two thirds of the way up the frame. If you have too much dead space above the head of the presenter it looks poorly composed. Make sure you pay attention to everything in the shot. Is there stuff on the walls that you want in frame? Is there a messy shelf behind you? Also, if your frame isn’t working out in one spot, try to move to a different area.
A common mistake is to frame the presenter with too much head room. As a rule of thumb, ensure that the eyes of the presenter are about two thirds of the way up the frame. If you have too much dead space above the head of the presenter it looks poorly composed. Make sure you pay attention to everything in the shot. Is there stuff on the walls that you want in frame? Is there a messy shelf behind you? Also, if your frame isn’t working out in one spot, try to move to a different area.
4. Bring the microphone as close to the sound source as possible
A common mistake is to record sound through the microphone on your computer or camera, and for the presenter to stand too far away from the camera. This will result in poor quality sound. If you are using this microphone to record sound, move the presenter closer to the camera. Even better – use a headphone mic off of your video chat headset to mic your video; place it right below your mouth, out of frame. This will dramatically improve the sound quality. Reduce background noise by filming in a quiet spot, turning off electrical equipment, closing windows and letting family members (or if at work, co-workers) know that you are filming and you need them to keep it down.
A common mistake is to record sound through the microphone on your computer or camera, and for the presenter to stand too far away from the camera. This will result in poor quality sound. If you are using this microphone to record sound, move the presenter closer to the camera. Even better – use a headphone mic off of your video chat headset to mic your video; place it right below your mouth, out of frame. This will dramatically improve the sound quality. Reduce background noise by filming in a quiet spot, turning off electrical equipment, closing windows and letting family members (or if at work, co-workers) know that you are filming and you need them to keep it down.
5. Be natural
Speak naturally, conversationally, and from the heart – just as if you would if you were sitting with a friend. Avoid the temptation to copy the tone of voice and mannerisms of TV presenters. You will be more engaging if you are authentic – just be you.
Speak naturally, conversationally, and from the heart – just as if you would if you were sitting with a friend. Avoid the temptation to copy the tone of voice and mannerisms of TV presenters. You will be more engaging if you are authentic – just be you.
6. Keep it short
Please, if possible, keep it under 2 minutes. There’s a shorter attention span for people who aren’t familiar with you or the topic. If you have to go over, try to stay between 2 to 3 minutes.
Please, if possible, keep it under 2 minutes. There’s a shorter attention span for people who aren’t familiar with you or the topic. If you have to go over, try to stay between 2 to 3 minutes.
7. Create interest in the first 10 seconds
Don’t take yourself or the content too serious. Try to convey something funny, witty and/or interesting in the first 10 seconds; this could be making a joke or re-enforcing a point from the content.
Don’t take yourself or the content too serious. Try to convey something funny, witty and/or interesting in the first 10 seconds; this could be making a joke or re-enforcing a point from the content.
8. Take multiple takes
Don’t worry about what you’re getting at first. Put your camera on record and recite the tips over and over until you feel good about your tone and delivery. Then look back to see how it turned out. If you get caught up in making it perfect, you may spend too much time on it. Be sure to give yourself about five seconds between the camera starting and anyone speaking. This will be a big help when you’re editing!
Don’t worry about what you’re getting at first. Put your camera on record and recite the tips over and over until you feel good about your tone and delivery. Then look back to see how it turned out. If you get caught up in making it perfect, you may spend too much time on it. Be sure to give yourself about five seconds between the camera starting and anyone speaking. This will be a big help when you’re editing!
9. Fonts
If you are using titles or text anywhere in your video, stick with clear fonts that are large enough to read. Upper and lowercase are easier to read. Do not use script fonts; they are too difficult to read quickly.
If you are using titles or text anywhere in your video, stick with clear fonts that are large enough to read. Upper and lowercase are easier to read. Do not use script fonts; they are too difficult to read quickly.
10. Editing
- PCs come with Windows Movie Maker, and Macs come with iMovie. Both are simple and easy-to-use software programs for basic editing. You don’t need to get over-the-top with effects, but play around. Remember that you can undo things if they aren’t working out just right.
- From clip to clip you may notice that your sound is lower or higher. To even it out, you can adjust each audio clip.
- Add text or insert pictures if you feel like these will make your video really shine.
- Be careful not to cut off the beginning or end of words people are saying.
- Play with transitions. By simply adding a fade effect between one scene and another you can really improve your production value.
- Keep it simple. When people watch a video that was edited well, they don’t even notice the editing.
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