More Ways to Make Your Video Sound Great
How does music help your video sound? And if you're not using music, will the video sound okay?
Easy on the Graphics
Unless you have a real design sense (and if you do, you know it already) take it easy on the graphics and titles. Here's why.
Great Video Transcends Equipment
Great video transcends equipment. You can shoot awful video with a crew of 100 — or something like this on your cellphone.
Turn Off the Digital Effects In Your Video Camera
Turn off the digital effects in your video camera NOW. They only make things worse. Once you use them, you can never fix them.
Keep the Brightest Light Behind You!
Do your subjects sometimes look like refugees from the witness protection program? To prevent that, keep the brightest light behind you.
Stop Moving the Camera!
One of the fastest ways to make your video suck less: Stop moving the camera. Some of the greatest shots in movies are locked camera shots
Breaking Video Rules
Breaking video rules requires that you a.) know the rules and b.) break them with enormous style and commitment. As this video proves.
Knowing When to Turn the Video Camera Off
Knowing when to turn the video camera off is tough. But if you shoot everything your kids do, you'll need another lifetime to watch it.
Zoom with Your Feet
Do you find yourself zooming in on subjects from waaaaay across the room? Bad idea. You'll get much better video if you zoom with your feet.
Don't Shoot Until You See the Whites of Their Eyes
If people are the stars of most videos, faces are what you want to stay focused on. Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes.
Shoot Short Shots
Short shots make us pay attention. Each new shot forces our brains to figure out what we’re looking at and what it means.
Think in Shots
When did you last see a professionally produced video with a 45-minute-long shot? (hint: NEVER). Think in Shots.