Are you thinking about venturing into the world of content creation? Obviously, you aren’t alone. On YouTube and other video-sharing platforms, you’ll find an increasing number of amateurs posting their creative work daily.
Make Your Videos Stand Out
Some videos look professional, while others just seem like a waste of time. How do you ensure that yours fall into the first category? It doesn’t take rocket science. Start with these 10 items.
1. Good Light Source
One of the best sources of light for videos is the sun. Pick the most suitable times of the day to shoot, and that would be in the morning or evening. Soft light is what you’re aiming for. If you’re filming indoors, keep away from overhead lighting.
2. Clean Background
Choose your filming locations well. A messy or distracting background will result in an amateurish video. Stay professional with a solid-colored bed sheet, wall, or backdrop paper. A clean environment will help your viewers focus on the subject. Look out for shadows and reflective surfaces, too.
3. Reliable Video Editor
Suppose you’re good at tinkering with video editing software. Excellent! Tools range from simple to more professional options. We recommend iMovie, Camtasia, and Final Cut Pro. But those aren’t your only alternatives. Professional services are undoubtedly the in-thing now. A BeCreatives subscription will let you focus on what you love best: creating.
4. Clear Audio
Have you ever watched a video with clear images but awful, unclear sounds? Don’t subject your viewers to that nonsense. Invest in a good microphone. One between $100 and $200 is going to work great. Even a lavalier mic is better than none at all.
5. Tripod
Even if you believe you have steady hands, don’t trust them to hold the camera. Instead, place your camera on a solid surface or use a tripod. Shaky footage is the worst (unless that’s an effect you’re aiming for.) You may consider cutting from one shot to another instead of moving the camera to change perspective.
6. The Rule of Thirds
Here’s a fundamental principle of film composition amateurs tend to ignore. It’s pretty simple, so just go with it. Just imagine a 3×3 grid over a shot. Consider placing your object along one of the gridlines instead of right in the middle. Take note that the line intersections are significant for vital video elements.
7. Equipment Settings
Our phones are intelligent devices. You don’t need a DSLR camera to capture professional video footage. However, you still need to keep a few things in mind while shooting. Study all the features of your camera and make full use of them. Activate the grid function and remember to record in landscape mode.
8. On-Camera Presence
Do you know how to carry yourself well in front of the camera? Maintain good posture and relax your muscles. Friendliness matters a bunch, and so does enunciation. You want your audience to remain captivated throughout the video. Practice a few times and use props if you feel jittery.
9. Angle Shots
One thing you’ll notice about professional videos is the way they cut from one angle to another. It’s an excellent way to keep your viewers interested. This technique is handy for product demos or how-to videos. B-roll footage will come into great use during the editing process.
10. Good Planning
Take the time to plan out a video. Start by defining its purpose and what you want to achieve. Picture your target audience and figure out the best way to communicate with them. After that, write your script and design a storyboard that works. Remember not to ramble!
Itching to Start?
We know how excited you must be to start filming. Creating videos is the perfect way to showcase your talent. There’s no shortcut to success, but this article is surely a step in the right direction. Most importantly, have fun!
