Nowadays, any business can make professional-looking videos easily. We all have video recorders in our pockets. Our smartphones can make getting video footage fast and easy. Plus, plenty of filming equipment is affordable on the market. In addition, editing software comes with most computers.
Whether you are filming products, real estate, auditions and film reels, or YouTube videos, you want your video to look amazing. However, there’s a difference between recording a casual video and a professional one. If you want high-quality footage, you should use high-quality equipment. You also need to implement the techniques that professionals use to make your videos stand out.
Making professional videos is easy when you take the time to learn a few tricks. Understand your equipment, and have fun in the process. By following these pro tips, your audience will love the content you put out. Whether you film professional videos for your business ventures or social media, the footage will come with exceptional polish.
Here are some tips on how to record professional videos.
Use the Best Equipment
There is no question that you get a better product with good gear. The reason most people don’t use pro equipment is because they can’t afford to buy it. That’s where a film equipment rental comes in.
Rental companies stock the latest cameras, lighting, and grip gear to make your production stand out. Their selections work well for indoor and outdoor shooting. They can even deliver what you need to your location. This makes using top-quality video gear affordable. You can use your iPhone for simple videos. However, for a more professional look, rent the best gear you can afford.
Set up Great Lighting
You can use all the best video equipment, but it is all wasted if your lighting is bad. People need to clearly see what you are filming, regardless of what it is. You can use a basic 3-light setup or get more involved with filters and color temperatures. The sun is your best and most natural source so try filming outdoors if possible. Just make sure you stay away from shadows unless that is the effect you are going for.
Record High-Quality Audio
You want your audience to hear what you are saying or the dialog of the actors, so make sure your audio set up is excellent. There are different types of mics you can use depending on where you are filming. It is worth the price of renting or buying a good quality mic.
Consider the space you are recording in as well. You don’t want an echo or ambient noise distracting from your main audio. You can use boom mics but try to get the mic as close to the subject as you can. A lav mic for each person works well too.
Plan Your Shots
Having a shooting schedule or script will make your shooting day much easier. Make your own storyboard, even if it is only a few different setups. You will be organized and save time by having a plan. If you are filming a news story or wedding, make sure you know all the key events to cover. You don’t want to miss out on anything so write down the timeline of events before you start.
Have a Simple Background
If you want to look professional, then have a set that isn’t busy. People pay attention to what is in the background, and they can pause and zoom in at any point of your video. Any clutter around the main subject will distract the viewer and you will lose your audience.
If you can’t afford a professional backdrop, you can set up a solid-colored sheet or even the wall. Make sure you don’t have anything off-camera that casts a shadow or that can be bumped into by your crew. Have the focus be on what and who you are filming.
Shoot with Editing In Mind
Depending on what you are filming, there may be several scenes that will need to be edited later. Make sure to take several angles of your scene so you have options for editing. Most filming is digital, so you can take as many shots as you need. Don’t be afraid to overshoot to have options for each scene while editing.
Keep Your Editing Simple
Most computers come with basic editing software, which will usually be good enough. Some of the biggest YouTubers use the free software they already have and they come out with great videos.
The KISS principle should come into effect when editing all your videos. Although there are many different effects you can use, a clean editing style looks professional for the most part. Cut out any pauses or silences in your shots and use noise-cancelling if it’s needed. Simple transitions and added audio can turn plain footage into a professional-looking video.
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