So you’ve decided to start creating content for your brand, and on top of that, you decided to invest in an editor. Here’s a quick guide to make sure you get it right the first time!
- It would be best to shoot using your main mirrorless camera, but if it can’t be helped, shoot using the BACK camera of your phone. Be sure to check the settings of your camera phone and ALWAYS shoot at 1080p @ 60fps. Never go to 30fps or 120fps. You can shoot at 720p for a lighter video in weight, but almost never shoot at 4k unless you are making high-detail content (i.e. cooking tutorials, product features, music videos). Also if you shoot with the front camera, make sure that it is 60FPS, and focus your eyes to LOOK AT THE CAMERA LENS, NOT THE SCREEN.
- Have a script to read near the camera. This is to minimize the “uhmms” and “ahhs” of your content. Don’t be afraid to say an entire pointer / message, then go for a cup of water, take a 30-sec glance at your notes. Through editing, I can cut those parts out to make you look as though you NEVER had notes around you.
Also make sure you look at the lens of your camera, and NOT at your notes when filming. The camera picks up the direction of your eyeballs, where they looks. So always keep in mind to look at the camera when you talk. If you have to look at your notes off camera, stop talking to the camera, take a breather, read your notes, then go back into camera position, look back into the lens, then speak. - TALK TO ME DURING your filming. Pro tip! This significantly helps me out, so I can produce whatever you imagine your video to be after post production. You can communicate your editing thoughts during your raw shoot, and of course i’ll cut that out in editing. For Example, “You: In this video, you will find out what the seven secrets to being productive!… [pause] CUT! Philip can you add a text screen for whatever I just said in the last sentence? Okay Thanks! [pause, and reposition again for camera]…”okay so the seven secrets….”
- Have a bit more energy when shooting your vlog. Don’t sound as though you are at a skype zoom call or a seminar/recitation. Also, don’t forget to ALWAYS smile on camera! Practice hand gestures, and maybe talk a little bit more enthusiastic.
- Take your time in filming, try filming each episode on different days. I often notice, when clients try to film more than 2 vlogs a day, it shows that the energy on the 2nd and 3rd video are no longer as enthusiastic as the first video. This is because by the time you get to even the 2nd video, (and have gone through all the mistakes, and retakes), many vloggers already have the “let’s get this over with” mentality; thus, compromising on your mood and enthusiasm for each succeeding video.
- Understand that you are new to all these information, and allow yourself to make mistakes. Done is better than perfect. I know through time, you will only become better and more natural in filming yourself in front of a camera. Facial expressions, Hand gestures, script, and Call-to-Action speeches, They all take practice.
