Want to create a professional video for your brand or business?
There are multiple ways to do this but for many companies, this is likely to involve stepping in front of the camera at some point.
How do you ensure this looks professional? Part of it comes down to the way that you present yourself, part of it is the way you edit the video… but often just as important is making sure that you choose your settings correctly. The backdrop can either do a great deal to help establish your business (the best case scenario) or it can unintentionally prove distracting and undermining for your points.
Here are some tips that can make a big difference.
Consider Lighting
You’d be surprised how many people go into filming a video without thinking about their lighting. When creating your video, think about whether the lighting enhances or detracts from the shot. Avoid glare and where possible, have your subjects lit from their profile. This is called ‘Rembrandt’ lighting and it’s what most professional videographers will use.
Choose the Spot
Simply choosing your location is a big important step in video production. If you have an office, this will often be a good place to film as it will instantly look professional. Likewise, filming outdoors in public spaces can add some life and interest to your shot. Alternatively, find a space where there’s a blank wall you can use as a white backdrop. You can also try hanging a white bedsheet with some lighting to create a makeshift ‘infinite white’ background.
What you shouldn’t do is choose your Mum’s living room for your background, or an awkward window. This will make you look unprofessional as though you’re ‘playing’ at business, rather than actually knowing anything about it.
Think About Acoustics
Ideally you’ll have a mic attached to provide better sound recording. In some cases though, this won’t be possible and as such you need to think about how sound travels where you are. Don’t film too near to a busy road and don’t film in rooms with high ceilings and echoing walls.
Consider Renting Somewhere
Don’t have anywhere to film that meets these requirements? Optional alternatives then are to rent a conference room, or alternatively to try and find somewhere that you can use a green screen. You may be surprised to learn that they’re regularly available in public libraries and universities.