Shoot What Interests You
Shoot what interests you. Focus your camera on a fascinating person or thing or story—and your video will improve instantly.
Getting Started
New to shooting video? Get better fast with these Tips and Tricks from writer/director Steve Stockman, the author of "How to Shoot Video that Doesn't Suck"
Introducing How to Shoot Video that Doesn't Suck: The Video Course
Discover "How to Shoot Video that Doesn't Suck: The Video Course." Transform your video creation skills with 22 lessons, hundreds of tips, and practical exercises.
A Good Video is Like a Sentence
Good video is like a sentence, with the same “noun/verb” structure you learned then. Here's how to take what you learned in third grade to make great video.
Use a Microphone
Most video cameras have bad microphones-- made worse by bad software. The secret to great video sound? Use a microphone that plugs in.
Keep Your Video Short
When it comes to video, the old show-business expression “Always leave them wanting more” applies. Here's how to keep your video short.
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.
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
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.