Finally getting back to video as promised! When it comes to shooting video, if you can create the best product possible while shooting, it will make your post-editing life much less of a headache. If you utilize these couple tips while shooting or editing your video, it will instantly make your life easier when it comes to having a polished and well-done final product.
Lighting- This tip can start to feel a bit repetitive, but being one of the most important aspects of any type of visual media, lighting controls many aspects of your projects. Whether it is artificial (studio) lighting or natural, being able to set this up and control it will enhance your media immensely. Window light, is hands down the best and most reliable type of lighting. If you have the option, shooting your video by a window with good natural light will give you many options when it comes to editing your final product. It is also easier to color-correct when using film with natural light. This, therefore enhances the quality of your video.
Music & Sound- Using the correct music and sound for your film can completely control the way your video is perceived and viewed by your audience. Accidentally using a track that does not match up with your film, can cause the entire video to fall apart. This is because the wrong sound can cause a disconnect to occur with your viewer. The same goes for sound effects in your videos.
Know Your Editing Software- If you would not consider yourself to be an "expert" at your specific editing software, that is completely okay, not all of us are (myself included). One of the most important and helpful tips that i have learned throughout my own journey is that is it okay to ask questions and admit when you do not know how to do something. Chances are, other people have the same questions as you and the internet is full of both free and paid-for ways to learn these skills. Being able to ask a friend or colleague who might have more knowledge than you is also a great way to improve your skills. Having an idea in your mind of how you are going to edit the clips you are shooting while you're filming them is also a good way to make sure editing goes smooth and you create what you had in mind.
Motion Within Shots- This tip i learned from one of Peter McKinnon's video tutorials on shooting video (you can skip to 7:00 in the video to see more detail on this). If you only use a tripod to record for your video, you are going to be left with static shots that might as well be images instead of video. If the camera is moving, your storyline is going to be moving along as well. This also helps your videos look more professional and interesting for the viewer.
Location & Time of Day- If you happen to be in a unique location, this does not matter as much because the scenery can do the ground work for you and make your shots look good on its own. However, your angles are still important. If you have a too low or too high angle, you could be missing out on important elements of the story of the shot. Along with that, if you have a randomly high or low angle that does not make sense within your shot, this will cause another disconnect and distract the viewer from what you want them to see or pay attention to. You also want to make sure to clean up your background area if you are shooting in a studio or home setting for these same reasons. As far as what time of day you are shooting your video clips during, it is the same rule of thumb as photography. Shoot in the morning or in the evening, never at high noon if it can be avoided!!
If you want to learn more in-depth on any of the points I have talked about today along with some extra points and individual example videos, this article by wave.video is calling your name!!