by Jennifer Bonior
Are you about to take on the daunting task of filming yourself at home? Well don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it sounds! Follow these simple steps and your video will look like it was done by a pro.
1. Lighting:
You need to shoot in a well lit area. Low light spaces can result in grainy and dark footage. Make sure the light is in front of you NOT behind you. If the strongest light source is coming from behind you, you’ll wind up silhouetted - we want to see your face, not hide it! Soft natural light is always the most flattering, so if possible, try to set up near a window.
2. Background:
Busy backgrounds are distracting, keep it simple! Avoid bookshelves, walls covered in art, and areas with a lot of traffic. Also, try to avoid sitting right in front of a wall. Make sure you have five or more feet between you and the wall behind you, this will create a sense of depth in the frame.
3. Framing:
Horizontal footage will give you a professional look, vertical will make your video feel more like a social media post. You should either be perfectly centered in the frame, or slightly off to one side (look up “the rule of thirds” online to learn more about this framing technique, https://photographylife.com/the-rule-of-thirds). And don’t forget about headroom! If the top of your head is touching the top of the frame, you need to tilt up or back up your camera. If you have more than one third of the frame above your head, then you have too much; tilt down or move the camera closer. A properly framed video makes all the difference.
4. Tripod:
Shaky footage is a dead giveaway. Steady footage is easy to achieve with a tripod or you can even prop your phone up using items around your home. Also try to avoid having people walk around your camera while filming, even footsteps can create a little shake in the footage.
5. Sound:
Make sure you choose a quiet space; avoid loud appliances, air conditions/heaters, and background chatter. Don’t forget to pay attention to outside noises as well, we may be used to things like airplanes, trains, sirens, leaf blowers and dogs barking, but they’ll stick out like a sore thumb in your video. An external mic or headset can also make a huge difference!
6. Wardrobe:
It’s important to consider what you’re going to wear. Make sure it doesn’t blend in too much with your background; a white shirt on a white wall means you disappear in the frame. The same goes for something too busy. If you’re wearing a bold patterned shirt, then that’s all people are going to look at. Try for solid colors or simple patterns.
7. Script:
Make sure you know what you’re going to say before you sit down in front of the camera. This will help you to avoid those “uhs” and “ums.” Also, get straight to the point - attention spans are short these days, so hook your viewer right away. And don’t forget that video is a visual medium, so don’t just tell us, show us! Have products, pamphlets, etc. on hand to show off to the camera.
8. Practice:
Write a script and rehearse it first. We can all tell when someone is reading their lines, so try to memorize your lines and maintain eye contact with the lens on the camera. You’ll look more confident this way.
Ready to record now? Here’s a few final things to remember:
If you follow the tips above you should be able to create a professional looking video all from the
comfort of your home. However, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of doing this on your own,
let us know and we can schedule a time for you to come into the Chamber office to record.
Once you’re done and happy with the results, upload your video to our Dropbox:
https://www.dropbox.com/request/0casOoqo6qDC2fjQfSkx
.
Are you about to take on the daunting task of filming yourself at home? Well don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it sounds! Follow these simple steps and your video will look like it was done by a pro.
1. Lighting:
You need to shoot in a well lit area. Low light spaces can result in grainy and dark footage. Make sure the light is in front of you NOT behind you. If the strongest light source is coming from behind you, you’ll wind up silhouetted - we want to see your face, not hide it! Soft natural light is always the most flattering, so if possible, try to set up near a window.
2. Background:
Busy backgrounds are distracting, keep it simple! Avoid bookshelves, walls covered in art, and areas with a lot of traffic. Also, try to avoid sitting right in front of a wall. Make sure you have five or more feet between you and the wall behind you, this will create a sense of depth in the frame.
3. Framing:
Horizontal footage will give you a professional look, vertical will make your video feel more like a social media post. You should either be perfectly centered in the frame, or slightly off to one side (look up “the rule of thirds” online to learn more about this framing technique, https://photographylife.com/the-rule-of-thirds). And don’t forget about headroom! If the top of your head is touching the top of the frame, you need to tilt up or back up your camera. If you have more than one third of the frame above your head, then you have too much; tilt down or move the camera closer. A properly framed video makes all the difference.
4. Tripod:
Shaky footage is a dead giveaway. Steady footage is easy to achieve with a tripod or you can even prop your phone up using items around your home. Also try to avoid having people walk around your camera while filming, even footsteps can create a little shake in the footage.
5. Sound:
Make sure you choose a quiet space; avoid loud appliances, air conditions/heaters, and background chatter. Don’t forget to pay attention to outside noises as well, we may be used to things like airplanes, trains, sirens, leaf blowers and dogs barking, but they’ll stick out like a sore thumb in your video. An external mic or headset can also make a huge difference!
6. Wardrobe:
It’s important to consider what you’re going to wear. Make sure it doesn’t blend in too much with your background; a white shirt on a white wall means you disappear in the frame. The same goes for something too busy. If you’re wearing a bold patterned shirt, then that’s all people are going to look at. Try for solid colors or simple patterns.
7. Script:
Make sure you know what you’re going to say before you sit down in front of the camera. This will help you to avoid those “uhs” and “ums.” Also, get straight to the point - attention spans are short these days, so hook your viewer right away. And don’t forget that video is a visual medium, so don’t just tell us, show us! Have products, pamphlets, etc. on hand to show off to the camera.
8. Practice:
Write a script and rehearse it first. We can all tell when someone is reading their lines, so try to memorize your lines and maintain eye contact with the lens on the camera. You’ll look more confident this way.
Ready to record now? Here’s a few final things to remember:
- Don’t forget to introduce yourself and your company.
- Smile, even if you’re discussing a difficult topic, you want to appear approachable and kind.
- There’s no shame in doing a second take. If you aren’t feeling great about your first attempt, give it another go! Even actors need to get warmed up.
If you follow the tips above you should be able to create a professional looking video all from the
comfort of your home. However, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of doing this on your own,
let us know and we can schedule a time for you to come into the Chamber office to record.
Once you’re done and happy with the results, upload your video to our Dropbox:
https://www.dropbox.com/request/0casOoqo6qDC2fjQfSkx
.
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