9 Filming Hacks for DIY Video Marketing
Hiring a video marketing agency to produce all of your content may be out of the question for your company— however, that doesn’t mean you should forgo producing consistent video content for your brand. Though DIY productions won’t match the quality of a professional project, there’s a time and place for lower-budget content. With today’s consumer video equipment, anyone can create and share on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
In this article, we’ll share some of our best DIY filming hacks so you can connect with your audiences with effective and visually appealing videos.
9 DIY Filming Hacks
Here are nine things to keep in mind before you hit record.
1. Plan, plan, plan.
You may think that a zero-budget video will require zero planning, but preparing ahead of time is the best way to ensure a successful final product, no matter the size of the video production. Instead of waiting until the day-of to think about how, where, and what you’re going to shoot, start making plans days— or weeks— ahead of time.
Here are some of the most important things to consider:
Who or what your video will feature
What equipment you’ll need
The video script, if applicable
Where you’ll film and what will need to be done to prepare the area
Any props you’ll need to source beforehand
A list of shots you’d like to get for b-roll
Getting all of this squared away before the shoot rolls around will make the process go smoother and take a load of stress off your shoulders.
RELATED
Want to learn more about the different ways to use video marketing? Check out our article “8 Ways Your Business Can Harness the Power of Live Streaming” to discover new ways to get eyes on your brand.
2. Find the right light.
Whether you’re using a phone or DSLR camera, you’ll want to place your subject in the right light. Poor lighting can cause the image to be grainy, dark, and shadowy.
Luckily, one of the best lighting sources is easily accessible and free: window light. Soft, indirect light from outside is one of the best ways to light a shot. When setting your scene, be sure that the light is behind the camera— otherwise, the subject will be backlit and it will be hard to see details. It’s also a good idea to turn off any lights you have in the room— unless doing so makes the room too dark. This will ensure that your image is one consistent color temperature.
When positioned correctly, window light will illuminate your subject in a soft glow, prevent harsh shadows from overhead lights, and give your video a bright, crisp quality.
3. Don’t forget audio.
You might think that the most important aspect to video is the image quality, but in most cases, people will pick up on poor audio before they notice poor image quality. So if you’re on a tight budget and need to decide on one thing to focus on, choose audio. Instead of springing for a nicer DSLR camera, purchase a lavalier or shotgun microphone and an external audio recorder.
4. Shoot in landscape orientation, unless it’s for an Instagram Story or TikTok.
Unless you’re posting an Instagram Story or a TikTok, make sure you shoot your footage in landscape orientation.
5. Use a tripod or a stack of books.
Shaky camera movement can detract from what is going on in your video or make it hard to follow. Stabilize your camera or phone by using a tripod. Nowadays, basic tripods can be purchased online for less than $20 and significantly boost the production value of your video, making it a worthwhile investment.
If you aren’t able to source a tripod, setting your camera on a table against books can also do the trick. Be sure to take time to level the camera in each shot and that it doesn't slip during a take.
6. Add movement to your shots with everyday objects.
Want to incorporate movement into your shots? Typically, pushing in toward your subject or pulling out away from it involves a piece of equipment known as a dolly. However, there are some common objects that you may be able to get your hands on that work as a DIY replacement. Here are a few ideas:
Furniture sliders placed on the bottom of tripod legs allow you to smoothly move the tripod closer to and away from the subject.
A skateboard can be used to glide the camera across the floor or down a hallway.
The cameraperson can hold the camera steady while sitting in a rolling chair. Another person can then push the rolling chair to move the shot.
Don’t be afraid to get creative here. In the video below, you can see that something as simple as a pizza cutter can be used to jazz up your content.
7. Use filmmaking apps and software to your advantage.
Did you know that you can find great recording and editing tools right on your phone? Video apps like FiLMiC Pro give you greater control over your phone’s camera, allowing you to adjust things like frame rate and shutter speed. Editing apps like iMovie and Premiere Rush give you basic editing tools at your fingertips.
Since these apps are fairly intuitive, they are great options for those not looking to learn any new software. To top it off, they are also fairly inexpensive, ranging from free to just $15.
SCHEDULE A FREE VIDEO MARKETING CONSULTATION
Want to implement video in your marketing strategy but aren’t sure where to start? Reach out to schedule a FREE consultation with our video marketing professionals. We promise we don’t bite!
8. Find the music to match the mood.
Music is a great way to elevate your content. Not only can it help cover up less-than-stellar audio, but it helps establish the overall mood and tone of your video. Be sure to pick a song that’s appropriate for the message.
It’s also important to remember that you can’t just go to iTunes and drag over your favorite Beatles song for your content. To avoid copyright infringement and legal repercussions, be sure to use music that you have the rights to. Luckily, there’s a wealth of options out there through royalty-free music websites.
9. Check out tools like Canva for title cards and simple graphics.
Want to add simple graphics to your video? Canva is a great user-friendly resource for creating custom video title cards and other types of graphics. Even the free version of the tool comes packed with graphic elements, templates, photos, fonts, and more.