Good sound, soft light and steady, well framed shots make the biggest difference to how professional a video looks. Here is how our crew sets up on a typical interview shoot, and how you can get close with your phone.
Decide what the video is for and who will watch it. That decides the location, the framing and the tone.
People will forgive average pictures but not bad audio. We mic every interview with a lapel or a boom just out of frame, and we pick quiet rooms, turn off air conditioning if we can and listen on headphones the whole time. On a phone, use a cheap clip-on mic and get close.
We start with the window as a soft key light to one side of the subject, then fill or shape with our own lights. Avoid people sitting with a bright window behind them. On a phone, face the window and switch off mixed overhead lights.
Use a tripod or gimbal. On a phone, a small tripod is the best few dollars you will spend.
Film the people, the place and the work in action so the edit has something to cut to.
For quick social posts and behind the scenes, a phone with good sound and light is fine. For your website, sales or a campaign, a professional crew gives you the quality, lighting and editing that reflect your brand. Our CreateLite package sits in between, with one crew member and quick setups for social content. See our work for examples.
If you want to talk through your project, have a look at our social media videographer page, then get a quote from Create x Wonder. Tell us what the video needs to do and we will come back with a clear plan and price, plus GST.
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