How to shoot
When preparing to shoot always adjust the resolution to ensure the quality of the video is at its highest. For most phones this is 4K. There are two possible orientations for filming, vertically and horizontally , which are used for different social media channels. For YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook, it is better to film horizontally but for others, such as Instagram, it is better to film vertically (9:16 ratio). Ensure the phone is steady and will not move whilst filming by using a tripod. If a tripod is not available, you can stabilize your phone by simply leaning the phone against an object that will not move or hold it with two steady hands . When filming with your mobile phone you can activate the grid in settings. This provides you with a reference when positioning your subject for the video.
When filming a person do not give the person too much or too little space above the head but something in between. Set your camera at the interviewee’s eye level to avoid them looking up or down at the camera. The subject should not be in the middle of the image but more to the side of the screen, to the left or right. The interviewee should never look directly into the camera but at the interviewer positioned next to the camera.
Audio
For interviews it is always better to have an external microphone. If this is not possible take the following points into consideration:
- Make sure there is minimal background noise otherwise this can be distracting for the viewer. Preferably film indoors to avoid the sound of the wind since this cannot be edited out. A good trick is to put your hands around the microphone without completely covering it. This way external noise can be minimized. When filming indoors, look for a room with good acoustics. Make sure the room is not completely empty, objects on the floor and walls help to absorb and not reflect the sound.
- Put the phone in airplane mode to avoid incoming notifications or messages.
- Always do a test video and listen to the audio. If it is noisy and unclear, move to a quieter location. Headphones give you the best indication of the sound quality.
Lighting
Smartphones have smaller image sensors and lenses, therefore lighting is an important aspect to consider when making a video. You should film in a brightly lit area. This will avoid unnecessary shadows and grainy areas. The light should be stable and steady and behind the camera. You should not shoot into the light because this will generate overexposed footage and flaring lens. Do not put the subject in front of a window but have the window to the side of the subject for better lighting. If there is too much sun or light the exposure level would need to be lowered to such an extent that everything would become very dark, so please take this into account. Smartphones also offer the option of “touch focusing”. This way you can tap on the face/object you want the focus to be on. The AE/AF button will appear and you will get the chance to change the lighting as required, the button can be used for perfect focus and exposure. With certain types of smartphones you have the option to lock the exposure and focus settings so the camera does not constantly change them.