Oh, I’ll just get my camcorder and we’ll shoot a marketing video for YouTube.
Okay modern domestic camcorders, even phones, can shoot footage nearly as good as cameras that used to cost the same price as a terraced house! I’m not joking here. How technology has changed. But what hasn’t changed is the skill, knowledge and expertise you need to shoot and edit a professional-looking video. Even a simple flip chart presentation to the camera can seem a simple exercise until you start filming…
Here are some simple YouTube filming tips…
Talent (presenter) can they look straight down the camera whilst repeating your carefully crafted script line by line in one take? Steve from Sales may be great at the sales pitch, but can he nail the two minutes take?
TIP
It’s a real skill to be able to talk to the camera. If you’re not confident in the presenter, hire a prompting system and you’ll save loads of time! If you can’t stretch to this, print out some cue sheets and tape them under the camera.
Have you got a large soundproof room with a high ceiling, and with blinds so you can control the light levels?
TIP
Find a local video/photography studio, or film when your office is closed.
Do you have any video lights? and know how to light a person?
TIP
Hire a lighting cameraman, or learn three-point lighting setups and buy some gels.
Sound is paramount; get a decent lapel microphone and backup boom mic
TIP
Oops, your domestic camcorder is now redundant because you can’t plug in the professional microphones. Hire a professional video camera with XLR sound inputs. Don’t forget your headphones.
Why can’t I see a thing on this 2inch HD screen on my camcorder?
TIP
Check everything you have shot is in focus, it’s a lot easier to do this large screen as you shoot. A quality tripod is a must too!
Does anyone know where the camera manual is? It keeps going in and out of focus, and everything’s gone yellow since the lights went on.
TIP
Hire a cameraman! Or familiarise yourself with your kit, learn how to white balance your camera, lock the focus, aperture, understand how depth of field works, and how to use lighting gels.
He’s got a very shiny head – makeup, please!
Right we’re all ready to go now… how do I frame this so it looks good? I’m not sure how we’re going to edit this… so can we just do that fifteen minutes again, as you stumbled when you said “what the fox’s going on?” Does anyone know how to direct a video?
TIP
Commission us to shoot your video and save loads of time, hassle and money!
