If you are just starting to make your own screencasts, you should plan ahead. We’ve collected some tips for novices in video creation that might be helpful.
Achieving a professional look is more about your technique than your tools. In most cases, you don’t even need to be a professional video-make to produce high-quality content. You may use your phone camera initially to shoot videos.
If you are planning to do screencasts or screen recordings, take a look at the overview of the best screen recorders for Windows and for macOS to help you choose the best one for you.
Following are some tips on how to make a professional video creation. These tips can be helpful not only for beginners but also for experienced users. You will be able to make your content look more interesting and professional looking.
1. Planning is the Key
If you expect people to listen, you need to know what you’re going to say. Prepare yourself to deliver a clear message. Write out the script, even if it is a short video. It is a good idea to read aloud the script yourself a few times before you start recording. This allows you to find the flaws in the script and correct them. If still you think you cannot write the script, then assign it to a professional writer.
2. Use the Right Equipment
The picture quality of the video, of course, depends on the camera you use. However, spending a fortune on professional filmmaking equipment is not the only option. You can start by using your phone camera. Most smartphones have decent cameras. For better quality, you can consider buying a professional camcorder.
3. Lighting is Very Important
It’s almost impossible to make professional-looking videos without good lighting. Lighting affects the video quality most dramatically and gives your shots a professional look immediately. Good lighting is a must for indoor shootings. Acquire a couple of LED lamps with softboxes, and you will notice that the quality of your video improves significantly. If you are going to shoot outdoors, then the sun is the best light source that you have. Catch the best-lighted scenes early in the morning. If shooting during the day, make sure that the bright sunlight does not cast harsh shadows on the subject.
4. Use Good Quality Microphone
Avoid using your camera mike for the audio recording. It’s better to buy a separate good quality microphone for the audio. Here are some techniques to improve your audio. There are some apps that can clean the track to sound it better. A video with good quality sound makes it very interesting for the viewers.
5. Shoot in Small Segments
While making your video, consider shooting in short bursts, and then you may combine the clips using a video editor. It will make editing much easier as you won’t have to watch through long videos and cut out the weak sections. You can give names and outlines to each segment to make the video more understandable.
6. Use a Plain Background
Always try to use a simple and plain background for your videos to make them look more professional and well-produced. The focus and attention of the viewer should remain on the main subject without any background distractions. A cluttered background looks messy and unprofessional. Get a plain monochrome-colored sheet for the background. It should not have a heavy texture, so that the lighting may not create any unwanted shadows.
7. Choose a Good Video Editing Program.
When you’ve recorded your video, it’s time to edit your work. Editing software may be the most important equipment investment you make. This is where you clean up any mistakes you’ve made while recording and make your work ready to be seen.
8. Add Subtitles
Subtitles make videos more accessible. They are really useful for the hearing impaired or those whose first language is not English. Some video editors can automatically generate the subtitles, and you can avoid spending long hours writing the sub-titles. However, you can add the subtitles manually for short videos.
9. Add Music to Enhance Your Message
Music, in most cases, enhances the narration of the video. It improves the storytelling effect, sets the mood of the video, and creates an emotional impact. But make sure you have permission to use the music, and it is royalty-free.
10. Use High-Quality Stock Media
Sometimes, you might need to add extra pictures and videos to better illustrate what you’re saying, especially if you’re explaining a difficult or abstract concept. But make sure you choose high-quality stock media. There are many online resources for great-looking, royalty-free pictures and videos.
Conclusion
It isn’t hard to make professional-looking videos. None of the above tips require any great technical ability, and with a little practice, you’ll be shooting awesome videos in no time at all. The key is really to plan as much as you can, create a nice environment to record in, relax and have fun while you’re doing it. The rest can be cleaned up in editing.