Follow the brief
Make sure that every detail from the brief, regardless of how big or small, is adhered to.
Keep an eye on timing
Plan ahead and ensure you shoot with post-production in mind.
Keep shots steady, and slightly longer than necessary to allow for editing and trimming in post.
Try to maintain a consistent style and tone across your videos.
Before recording, make sure the script is well written and concise.
Natural lighting
Ideal lighting should be soft, natural and consistent.
Shoot near a window, shoot outside, or use a ring light (or other forms of artificial light).
Ensure you’re facing your primary source of light and it is not behind you.
If indoors, position yourself near a window or use additional lighting sources to illuminate yourself and the scene evenly.
Avoid uneven lighting on yourself e.g. half in sun, half in shade.
Handy tips for shooting outdoors:
Cloudy or overcast days are great for even, soft, bright and diffused lighting.
If you want to hide the fact that it's cloudy, shoot against a background that means the sky isn't in-shot.
If it's sunny, try shooting in the shade to avoid the harsh sun and any sharp shadows. It'll also help stop you from squinting in the bright light!
Eliminate any shadows
Make sure the product(s) - and yourself - don't have any shadows on them while filming.
The product should appear clean and clear, with uniformly lit surfaces and no shadows or obstructions from other items.
Keep it clear
Always wipe the camera lens with a soft, clean material before getting started. A lens cloth or soft cotton material works best.
This will remove any smudges that can leave your video looking blurry.
Film in 4K at 60fps
Adjust this directly from your Camera app while shooting, or in your phone settings app under “Camera”.
This does take up the most storage space, however it will give you the crispest shot, and also gives our designers the most flexibility in post-production when it comes to cropping and slow-motion effects (if desired).
iPhone users
Android users
Please visit your phone manufacturer's website or manual.
Speak slowly and clearly
The viewer of your video needs to be able to understand everything you say. Make sure you're not talking too fast, and that you are fully pronouncing each word.
No distracting noises
Audio must be clear and concise.
Minimal to no background noise or distracting sounds.
Use an external microphone if available (including airpods).
Mind your framing
Keep yourself in-frame, your head in particular should always be in-frame, and never cut off.
Explore the rule of thirds for balanced and interesting compositions.
Focus on the subject and avoid unnecessary clutter in the background.
Explore different framing options such as close-ups, wide shots, or medium shots to diversify your content and maintain viewer interest.
Move slowly when filming product
You want to make the product look as aesthetically pleasing as possible. If you move too quickly when filming, this will not have the desired effect.
Utilize the phone's focus and exposure lock feature (iPhone guide here) to maintain consistency in the shot, especially if the subject or lighting changes.
Zoom using the on-screen buttons
Pinching your screen to zoom while shooting can often lower the quality of the video due to the phone shaking when you touch it.
Try using the zoom in/out buttons on the screen (or even better, the slider) if you want to play around with zooming in your content.
Avoid the shakes with a tripod
You can also get more in the frame this way, as you can step further away from the tripod while filming than your arm would allow.
Shoot in portrait, not landscape
All requested content will be in 9x16, so make sure your phone is vertical while shooting.
Remove all clutter from the shot
Make sure the background of your video is free of all clutter, clean and tidy.
Additionally, make sure no other brand logos can be seen in-shot.
Use a backdrop
If your home doesn’t have an aesthetically pleasing background, you can create your own.
This can be done by moving furniture and accessories (candles, books, etc.) in front of a plain wall, or you can build a whole new background.
Some ideas include ordering content creation backdrops off of Amazon, or purchasing a couple of tiles from hardware stores to use in the shot.
Be genuine and natural
Your authenticity, personality, and expertise are what make your content engaging and relatable. Use a conversational tone that resonates with audiences.
Avoid displaying third-party brands or logos
Ensure that your content does not feature logos, products, or branding from other companies to avoid potential legal issues. (edited)