Creating videos is like any other skill, it takes time to get it right.
But it always helps if you can get a little professional help from those who have already put in the time creating videos for a living.
These days, everybody is a videographer. There are literally thousands of videos being created as you read this article. The new smart phones have very good cameras. So what can make your video stand out from the crowd? We thought we’d let you into a few trade secrets to help you create great videos and hopefully get that edge over your peers.
1. Use a camera rather than your smart phone.
This may seem like an odd thing to suggest, specially as I’ve just complimented the quality of smartphone cameras. But if you take creating videos at all seriously, you need to get developing. those skill that can only come from dedicated camera usage. F-stop, exposure, ISO setting, framing and more can take a bit of getting used to.
Most smart phones automatically adjust to the situation and this can stilt your creativity. If you want a shot to be slightly dark, for instance, you don’t want your camera to up the ISO without your permission to make it brighter. So play with those settings to get the exact exposure etc. it will pay dividends further down the line.
2. The Sound Is The Most Important Aspect
I have to admit I’m a sound nerd. But that’s because I’ve worked in video production for many years. The general trend is to invest in great looking video when creating videos. Amazing cameras, lenses, software. But a video can be let down badly by even a short spell of bad sound. The worst part is, no-one realises it. Viewers will be perfectly cognisant of the quality and effect of a shot. The special effects, the mis en scene, but they won’t comment on the sound.
This doesn’t mean the sound is unimportant, the opposite in fact. Viewers make subconscious choices and if there is another video to watch, they will prefer that without actually knowing why. Good sound puts the viewer in a comfort zone and they will consume your content more openly.
3. Scrip, Script, Script.
Shooting from the hip videos garner billions of views a day. People mumbling doesn’t really matter of they’re about to fall off a building or get hit by a truck and land on the roof of a shed.
But let’s assume this isn’t the nature of your video. If you have a message of any kind – “buy this product, be careful, vote for this person” – that message will be understood by more people and better retained if the words are delivered in a clear and confident way. It also help keep your video brief because you can always hone down a script to contain more information in less words when creating videos.
4. There Are No Rules
Yep, I know, seems strange but it’s kinda true. Video production is one of those activities whereby you have to know the rules in order to break them. But once you’ve put in some time and worked out what the rules are, they can be dumped to one side in favour of complete ad lib.
You can’t, however, do it the other way around. You can’t just go into creating videos like a bull in a china shop without and expect chaos to give you fantastic content. Jean Luc Godard famously grabbed a reel of film and made random cuts to get the scene down to size.
5. Work With Professionals
Acting and presenting. are very hard jobs. They take a great deal of practice, a bit like learning to play piano. If you have the opportunity to rope a professional into your project, grab it with both hands. A professional actor, for instance, will be able to advise on any manor of aspects.
Camera angle, tonality of delivery, even lighting. They will deliver their lines quicker, saving time and there will be an element of depth to what they do that reflects well when watched back. The famous oil well trouble shooter, Redd Adaire, once said “If you think a professional is expensive, wait till you hire an amateur.”
Here is an interesting article on camera angles.
If you would like to discuss creating videos or any media production topics, get in touch HERE. We are a video production company in London, specialising in creating videos for any need.
As a video production company uk in London, we often get asked how much it would cost to produce a video ourselves. The truth is, with the right equipment and some know-how, you can save a lot of money by creating your own videos. Of course, there is an initial investment involved in purchasing the necessary equipment.
However, once you have your own set-up, the sky is the limit in terms of what you can create. And if you’re willing to put in the time to learn the ropes, you can start producing high-quality videos that will save you money in the long run. So if you’re looking to create video content on a budget, don’t be afraid to go DIY. With a little effort, you can create professional-grade videos that will help you save money and reach your target audience.
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