At Reef Knot Productions we understand that for some brands, particularly small businesses, having a professional video produced might not be an option. Being able to film quality content on your phone is a potentially cheap and easy way to promote your product or service. There is some fantastic do it yourself content out there, made by some very talented individuals, but for some creating video can feel a bit overwhelming, where do you even start? I know I felt painfully aware of my lack of knowledge regarding websites when we first had this one designed. Even now every time I go to publish one of these blogs I have a fear I am accidentally going to delete our entire site, so far I haven’t but there’s still time. But knowledge is power and all that, so with that in mind I’ve created a simple guide to walk you through best practices when using your phone and suggest some equipment you might want to consider using.
I’ve tried to add tips to cover a range of filming scenarios however for more bespoke guidance please contact us. We are here to help.
1. Equipment Checklist
Before you begin recording you will want to have the right kit if you want to produce professional looking content. Depending on what you are filming the below might vary, if you require further advice, we can recommend a kit list specifically designed for your needs.
- Phone (ideally on Do Not Disturb mode)
- Tripod
- Lights
- Microphone and receiver (your choice of microphone eg clip, hand held, Lav headset).
- Headphones optional but recommended for monitoring sound.
2. Setting Up Your Phone
- Make sure your camera lens is clean, use a soft cloth to wipe if required.
- Set your phone to 4K resolution at 25 or 30 fps for best quality (go to Settings > Camera > Record Video).
- Use airplane mode or Do Not Disturb to avoid interruptions during filming.
- If you have someone with you, we recommend using the rear camera of your phone for best quality. It generally offers higher resolution and gives you access to a wider range of lenses. However, if you’re filming solo, it’s perfectly acceptable to use the front facing camera. This allows you to monitor your shot and ensure everything is recording as planned.
3. Lighting
- The type of lighting you need depends on what you are filming, however if you are filming indoors or outdoors in low light, we would always recommend you use some form of lighting. We can suggest appropriate lighting for you based on your requirements.
- Avoid harsh overhead lights or backlighting e.g. from windows, there are occasions when you might want to include a window, for example if you want to feature the exterior view, in which case you will need a good lighting set up to achieve professional results.
- You might want to consider using diffused light for a softer image.
4. Sound
- If using a clip mic, the ideal would be to place it about a hand’s width below the chin, find a place that is comfortable and check the sound for clothes rustle before you record. Under clothing or over clothing is a style choice, movement can cause rustles on the audio under fabric but looks move professional. Over clothing, whilst giving clearer audio, may not be the aesthetic you desire.
For headset mics ensure they are secure and unobtrusive in the frame. - If you are recording interviews/voxpops you might want to use a hand mic
- If your content features more than one person you will need to ensure they can all be heard, so you might need multiple clip mics or if you are using a hand mic, have a test run before you use it so you are comfortable moving it between speakers.
- Monitor the sound with headphones during a test recording.
- Ensure there’s minimal background noise. In situations where you can’t control the noise, ensure you/your subject are able to talk into the mic and be heard over the noise.
5. Framing the Shot
- Set the camera at eye level, neither looking up nor down.
- Keep the subject’s eyes roughly one-third from the top of the frame.
- Use a mid-shot or head and shoulders framing for interviews or talking heads.
- Think about what you are filming, if you are demonstrating a yoga move for example you might want to keep the camera locked off on a wide shot. However if you want to show the detail of a move or part of the body you might want to consider filming this on a close up as well and adding to your edit after.
6. Location and Environment
- Choose a quiet, well-lit location with minimal echo.
- Avoid busy or cluttered backgrounds unless they are deliberately styled.
- Think about your brand, does the environment reflect your tone and values?
- Dress the background if needed, add props, plants, or branded items.
- Remove distracting items or clutter.
- Check for reflective surfaces or objects that might interfere with lighting or sound.
7. Delivery Tips
- Speak clearly and confidently, at a steady pace. Practice what you want to say but avoid sounding over-rehearsed.
- If you want to use autocue/teleprompter, practice and be aware of your eyeline moving across the screen. You want to maintain natural eye contact with the lens if you are speaking directly to the camera aka your audience.
- Think about tone, do you want to appear warm, if yes remember to smile. Is this a serious topic? Think about your facial expressions, the tone of your voice and the speed of your delivery.
- Consider getting someone to ask you questions off camera, this can lend itself to a more natural reaction from you that will help you connect more with an audience.
- Keep takes short and focused if you’re new to presenting.
8. Final Checks Before Recording
- Double-check sound levels and mic connection.
- Ensure you/your subject is well lit and framed properly.
- Do a 10-second test recording and play it back.
- Confirm the phone is steady on the tripod.
- You’re ready to press record!
If you would like further support on creating your own content and/or are interested in elevating your brand further with professionally shot video we’d love to hear for you.