Learn how to make attractive videos with your smartphone
The technology is so advanced that many freelancers have been successful with videos captured and even edited just using a smartphone.
With the help of high resolution images and easy-to-understand software, many people have been acting as an audiovisual analyst on social networks , maintaining a good audience and still captivating the public.
Taking advantage of the internet boom and the valorization of videos, especially in digital marketing, this market is on the rise and may be your chance to stand out in your freelance career . So, stay with us and check out the eight tips we've selected especially for you now!
1. Define the script
Before recording, finding the ideal setting and making that makeup, you need to define the story that will tell in the video. Therefore, the elaboration of a script is part of the pre-production that needs special care.
After all, the language used has to be in tune with the target audience. Think about Storytelling for video and do research on the subject that will be covered. Even if you decide to deliver a one-minute material, you still need to know what the beginning, middle, and end will be.
Analyze the best edit for each frame and keep in mind soundtracks that can help in the production. Reflect on the message you intend to convey and how to obtain the images that will help cover the text (off).
2. Invest in lighting
Defining the script for your video, it's time to go into the field with your smartphone. At that time, technical care comes into play.
The first tip is to think about lighting, considering that this tool is little explored in cell phones, as image sensors and lenses are smaller compared to equipment used to record videos.
Therefore, always look for well-lit areas, preferably in environments that do not have shadows or direct sunlight impact under the lens. If it's a room, always put a curtain on the window and look for fluorescent lights.
Set your smartphone's backlight with white balance, if you have this feature, to keep it steady. Also, explore the focus, highlighting and valuing the aesthetics of the existing set in the frame.
3. Use tripod
The tripod is an indispensable equipment because it always keeps the image steady and with proper focus. It can be found in professional or amateur categories, varying by the type of support, whether it is fixed on the floor, on tables or even held with the hands. It all depends on the purpose of the production.
If you have to make moving images, it's worth using more sophisticated models, such as a grip, to stabilize the collected scenes. In addition, the tripod is essential to improve the quality of scenes, including being a differential when capturing shots from different angles, which reinforces the value of your investment.
It is quite common for many people to improvise tripods with books, a desk, bottles, shelves, chairs and other objects, putting creativity into action. Although this is a valid feature for simpler productions, it will hardly be attractive to anyone who wants to work as a videomaker.
4. Invest in audio
Quality videos need to unite audio and images in a single sync. Otherwise, the material may get too amateurish. After all, bad audio disperses and does not contribute to the understanding of the message, driving people's interest away.
Therefore, in your audiovisual pre-production , you need to invest in a quality microphone. Even poorly captured audios, often, not even an editing software can solve. Therefore, it is a very important aspect in a video, being more relevant than the image itself in different scenarios.
After all, try watching a movie without audio and without subtitles. Will you understand something? Will you be encouraged to continue entertained with the images? If it's not a scripted production for that, there's hardly any understanding of the message. Therefore, investing in audio quality is a crucial task. It is often more important than the image itself.
Knowing that smartphones' microphones don't have much quality, the tip is to buy an external microphone and one that is directional, like the lapel one. Thus, quality will be valued, especially if you develop audiovisual works in digital marketing, in which the message must be clear enough to cover all concepts well.
5. Make images horizontally
Many people shoot videos vertically with the smartphone, but this practice is totally reprehensible and unprofessional, as the images are cut off and even meaningless.
To avoid this, always explore the capture horizontally, with sensitive movements. In addition, horizontal recording aids playback on other screens, making it look good on many types of devices, from TVs to PCs to cell phones.
6. Edit the videos
When thinking about all the details to know how to record videos, you must not forget one essential point: editing.
It is even necessary to think about it even in audiovisual pre-production, as extra images will often be needed to cover the texts or speeches, whether by authors or by interviewees.
In addition, editing is an excellent way to make the material more attractive, being an essential tool in the work of a videomaker.
7. Configure your smartphone
Another tip that can't be left out of your checklist is the smartphone camera configuration. Shoot at least in High Definition (HD) and leave the setting at 1080p with 30 fps (frames per second).
Many smartphones shoot in 4k, but it is not always necessary to maintain this quality, which takes up more memory space. Also, many video streaming services don't accept material at this resolution — always remember to be aware of this so you don't have to reshoot or convert your work.
8. Choose the best framing
There are several frames you can explore in your videos. This way, you can define how your audience will see your productions.
Always choose the most suitable one according to the message you want to convey, which can be American flat (knee height up), medium (waist up) or close-up (focus on the face). There are dozens of other framings, but they tend to be more specific and will hardly apply to simpler productions.
As you noted throughout this post, when you know how to record videos with your smartphone, you must always be aware of several details. After all, success is a consequence of professionalism, dedication and commitment to quality content.