To create your own video for social media you do need to put in some preparation, planning and thought. Producing your own videos can give your finished product a more authentic feel, which your audience will appreciate. Your voice resonates well with viewers on social media especially as consumers are seeking more video content. Once you have planned your video marketing strategy and know the type of video you wish to create, the final step is to build it and edit the story. These essential steps in the process of creating your own video are known as production and post-production.
Create Your Own Video: Producing Your Video.
Camera – Obtaining the Highest Quality Footage.
If you are planning on producing your video content for social media – don’t rush out and spend a fortune on video equipment. You may have most of what you need already. Having a quality smartphone with a good video output is a great starting point. Alternatively someone in your team or business may have a good camera with high-quality video output. If not you can always employ the services of a videographer or production crew.
Studio Location – Creating a Professional Look and Feel.
Knowing where you will be shooting your videos is critical especially if you are going to be producing stories on an ongoing basis. Dedicating space to be a ‘studio’ may be of benefit, otherwise again this productive space can be hired. Another important consideration is the backdrop that will appear behind the subject of the video. You may be fortunate to have an office with a fresh and modern background. Alternatively, you can hang large backdrops on a wall.
Microphones – Creating Clear Audio.
Most cameras will have the capability to capture audio when you create your own video. However, many factors will change how that audio sounds in the finished video. It is recommended to at least have a separate microphone that is designed to capture audio clearly. A shotgun microphone is a standard solution. This particular type of microphone attaches directly to the top of the camera. There is a broad range of microphones for various needs. Research to find the best fit for the job.
Lighting – Making your product stand out.
Most standard overhead lighting produces harsh light or not enough light in a video. Especially if you want to video people or products, poor lighting can impact how colour represents in the final output. Buying or renting a small number of studio lights is an appropriate solution. With as little as one light you can improve the image quality. The number of lights needed will depend on the space you are utilising and the size of the objects in the video.
Stability – Avoiding Motion Sickness
While handheld videos may be excellent for a quick Instagram story, it may prove difficult with a more extended video take. Shaky images can be off-putting for viewers and can also detract from the quality and message of the video. If producing a video where the subject matter is still, then utilising a tripod will ensure that you have a steady shot. For moving video, you can use a simple gimbal. This type of stabiliser allows for smooth and stable footage to be captured by someone that is on the move. You can even purchase gimbels for mobile devices.
Post-production of your video
Software – For Editing Your Masterpiece.
If you plan to create your own video then you must consider appropriate editing equipment and software. There is no point shooting video that will require cuts, audio, background music and voice overs if all you have to edit with is your smartphone. There are some easy to use video editing software applications for use on either Mac or PC; however, for higher production quality, we recommend outsourcing your editing to a professional.
Equipment to Create Your Own Video.
Having a computer that is powerful enough to edit video is critical. Video files take up a lot of data space and also require a lot of memory and graphics power to manage them. If you plan to make many videos or have a continuous video output, then you will need to consider ample data storage that exists outside of your computer.
If you are interested in learning more how a professional production team operates we welcome you to visit our showreel to see a sample of our production work. Otherwise, if you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you.