If you are new to filmmaking and video executing, well, everyone has to start someday. Do not worry about looking sophisticated. With the tech available today, like a promo video maker, it’s hard to mess-up, get a hands-on experience here.
Most tools online help you make flawless videos that look professional from the get-go. All you need is the right presence of mind and the ability to weed out the bad from the good. Before we jump into the tips, here is one that is a must.
Watch as much as you can. You cannot jump into the driver’s seat without knowing what a car is. Similarly, take the time to consume a lot of content in the domain relevant to yours. If you are looking to make travel videos, then watch the best in your profession.
The intent is not to copy but to learn. Here are a few simple hacks that can make any videos look professional to take the learning a step forward.
What You Should Do.
1. Ideal Lighting
If they cannot see you, they do not know what is going on. The light might be the single most crucial part of making good videos. No one expects a scene like a David Fincher movie, but it must look pleasing to the eye.
Your video cannot be dark or burnt away in the light. Use the settings on your camera to make the light look perfect. Additionally, use natural light if you cannot rent/buy lights. Sunlight in the early morning and late evenings is perfectly diffused and looks cinematic.
Take a small sample of your footage to your computer screen and watch them before finalizing the shot. Some shots that look well-lit on the camera or phone screen could be grainy or dull in real life.
2. Glitch-Free Sound
Tools like InVideo have made it very easy to create videos, but not knowing the basics of music and sound will bring an amateur dullness to your videos. Sounds have mainly two limbs. One is dialogue sound, and the other is sound-design.
If you are using dialogue, ensure the audio is crisp and audible. You do not want your viewers to play with the volume button during your videos. It must be accessible on the ear. Use a sounds recorder or a phone to catch the sound.
If you are using the mic on your camera, you are not trying hard enough. That mic will never give you good audio. It is only present to match the audio for edit.
Second, sound design. This covers the background music, sounds of actions, and effects. All this helps make the video more impactful and set the video apart from the clutter of content online. Take time to learn the basics of sound design.
3. Fundamental Rules Of Framing
People are not born with framing knowledge. The world’s most prominent directors aim to shoot films that look like paintings. You do not need that level of skill for online content.
All you need is the basics. Rule-of-thirds is a helpful one. Divide your frame into three sections horizontally and vertically, to form a grid. Now you will have a virtual grid of nine squares. This rule implies that your subject occurs in the meeting point of these grid-lines (on the left or right).
This simple rule can make your frames aesthetically pleasing. Another trick is to free the frame from clutter. Please take a few seconds to look at your screen and remove any distracting elements or props from it.
This practice will help guide the attention of the audience to the main subject.
What You Should Avoid.
1. Imitation
Yes, we spoke about watching and leaving, but that does not mean you pick up ideas. That is plagiarism and can lead to no-good. If you like an idea, ask yourself how you can apply it differently or make it your own.
2. Uncertain Editing
A great video can look like a joke with an incorrect edit. Edit is not just about cutting and arranging videos; it is another limb of storytelling. A lousy correction could confuse or distract the audience.
Use tools like an Intro maker if you are doubtful about your editing skills such as InVideo. These are accessories that allow you to make professional-looking videos with just a simple drag-and-drop tool. They also hold pre-set templates and animations.
3. Shaky Footage
Shaky footage is a big no-no for anyone. It looks amateur for apparent reasons. A small shake or jerk in travel videos adds a sense of reality to them. But even travel bloggers do not run with the camera in hand.
Use tools like tripods and monopods to help control the shake. You can also prop up your camera on a table or a pile of books. Use the ‘warp stabilizer’ tool on the editing software to fix shake when you shoot hand-held.
4. Copyright Music
Image doing everything right but having your videos pulled down for copyright infringement. This violation is a common mistake with new video creators. All sounds and music are not available for use on your videos.
You must only use those that are free from royalty or buy music online. The same is true for video footage. Take video footage only from stock footage websites or review distribution rules from other sources.
5. Stop At Upload
You put your video up online. Success? No.
The journey has just started. If you are new to this, you need to make an effort to get the ball rolling. Even the biggest movies made in Hollywood have a dedicated budget for promotions and marketing.
You do not need a budget; all you need is some time. Share the videos with friends and family. Ask them to share and comment to improve the engagements on the video. Share on social media pages too.
Final thoughts,
We all want our videos to look professional, but let that not stop you from making content. The last tip you need to know is — PRACTICE. The more videos you execute, the better you get. The world’s biggest youtube tech-reviewer, MKBHD, started his channel ten years back.
His first videos might make you smile at the adorable lack of skill, but time and effort can earn you the best following for your work.