Best Practices for Recording Great looking Videos

HR/employee engagement teams:
‍

Do you want to showcase the expertise within your company, to help motivate, inspire and celebrate your team?

Are you working towards creating a more fulfilled workplace culture? 

Capturing stories from your employees (they can record themselves) can be a cost effective way to connect and engage audiences and achieve different communication objectives.

But if you want to stand out and drive engagement the podcast video need to be visually appealing. ‍

This post explores some of the best practices that will help your videos look polished and professional, especially if employees are recording videos themselves, or using a third party software or platform, such as Zoom, Riverside or Streamyard. 

‍

1. Optimal Camera Placement for Video Podcasts

The placement of the camera determines how your audience perceives your content. Having your camera positioned at eye level gives your viewers a sense of being in the same room as you. It's critical to know different framing techniques can be used to keep your audience engaged. Here are a few tips to ensure your camera placement enhances your video.

Rule of Thirds‍

Utilise the rule of thirds to compose your shots. Imagine your frame divided into nine equal segments by two vertical and two horizontal lines. Try to position yourself or your subject along these lines or their intersections to create a more balanced and visually and dynamic composition.
‍

‍

Background Considerations‍

Be mindful of the environment you're filming in. It’s important to strike the right balance between an uncluttered, distracting background (that can detract from the content) while also considering if the addition of plants, books or pictures on shelves may enhance the visual aesthetic.

‍

2. Lighting Techniques for Professional-looking Video Podcasts

Good lighting can dramatically improve the quality of your video, making it look more professional. Here are some lighting techniques to help you achieve the best results:

‍

Three-Point Lighting‍

This classic lighting setup involves three lights: the key light, fill light, and back light. The key light is the primary source of light, usually placed to the side of the camera. The fill light, placed on the opposite side, helps eliminate shadows caused by the key light. The back light separates the subject from the background, adding depth to the shot.
‍

In this video, Ben Johnson explains how to drastically improve the look of your videos from the way you set up the lighting. 

‍

‍
Soft Lighting‍

Soft lighting helps in reducing harsh shadows and creates a more flattering look for the subjects. Use diffusers with your lights, or position your setup near a large window to utilize natural light effectively.

Consistency is Key‍

Ensure your lighting is consistent throughout the recording. Variations in lighting can be distracting and can diminish the professional quality of your production.

3. Sound Quality

‍
Good sound quality is just as important as visual quality. If possible, use a high-quality microphone that can be plugged into your USB if you're recording the video through your laptop. 

Minimising echo and background noise can significantly improve the clarity of your audio.

Another option would be to use a lapel mic that can plug into your USB.

‍

External mic's such as those shown here can be purchased for as little as £10 - and will dramatically increase the sound quality of your video. Contact us for information or advice on what will be best for your recording.

‍

Stable Footage‍

If filming with an external camera, use a tripod or a stable surface to ensure your camera remains steady during recording. Shaky footage can be off-putting and unprofessional.

‍

By implementing these best practices, you can significantly enhance the visual appeal and overall quality of each video or episode.

‍

Remember, the goal is to create a visually engaging experience that complements your content, making each video or podcast more enjoyable and professional for your audience. Email contact@poweredbystories.co.uk for more information on how we can help.

‍