Short videos make great content for your social media channels, and they are easy to create when you have the right tools.

You will need:

• Camera: DSLR or an iPhone/Android
• Tripod
• Zoom mic/lapel mic
• Well-lit room

Top Tip: Be wary of natural light as the sun can hide behind clouds causing sporadic changes in lighting.

Structure

• Decide on the structure you want your video to have – how you want it to look and feel.
• Watch similar video tutorials to see how others use angles and settings.

Top Tip: Put together a storyboard of your video to help you visualise the shots and angles you need to capture.

Script

• Know what you want to say and how you want to say it. You want to grab the viewers’ attention in the first 5 seconds.
• Write it out, practice it and try to memorise it –  you want to sound natural when you speak.
• Keep the script nearby for reference in case you do forget.

Top Tip: Don’t be afraid to stop filming if you make a mistake. You don’t have to have it perfect on the first take.

Camera Set-Up

• Set up the camera on a levelled tripod.
• When composing your shot (for photography and film) try not to place your subject in the middle of the screen. For maximum impact remember the rule of thirds. Imagine your shot is divided into 9 equal parts by two horizontal lines and two vertical lines. Position the subject where two of the points intersect. Positioning the subject here makes it easier for the eye to read the image.
• A lot of camera phones and DSLRs have auto settings when filming, but if yours does not, be sure to set the correct white balance.
• Don’t forget to focus up – do this by zooming up to the subject’s face and set the focus to that point. When you zoom back out, the focus will have been set to that distance.

Sound

• If your external mic does not connect directly to the camera, press record on both the camera and the mic and have somebody clap once on screen (like a clapper board). You can sync up both the footage and the sound based on this action using editing software.
• With video, no matter how well shot it is, it is useless without good sound. Be careful choosing music for your video. To avoid copyright you should download your chosen music from free music archive/download websites.

Top Tip: Avoid clothes with stripes and chunky jewelry that might interfere with the mic, especially if using a lapel mic.

ARTICLE BY: HOLLY NÍ GHRÁDA 

For more information on making great content for social media, contact us today.  Email: info@springboardcommunications.ie

Post by Susie Horgan

Susie founded Springboard in 2011, and has developed the business into a leading, director-led communications agency. She has worked for over 20 years in senior marketing and public relations roles.