{"id":988,"date":"2021-07-27T11:49:07","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T11:49:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elearning.bmh.manchester.ac.uk\/student\/?p=988"},"modified":"2022-07-20T11:44:19","modified_gmt":"2022-07-20T11:44:19","slug":"tips-recording-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elearning.bmh.manchester.ac.uk\/student\/useful-guides\/tips-recording-video\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Recording Video"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s easy to record a video using a smartphone or tablet. Alternatively, you could use a laptop or computer, with an inbuilt camera or webcam.<\/p>\n

Shooting on a smartphone<\/a><\/p>\n

How to record a Zoom meeting<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Framing and composition<\/h3>\n

Always, always<\/strong> shoot in landscape<\/span>. It’s the universally accepted format for film, video and TV as it mirrors our own view of the world.<\/p>\n

\"Page<\/a><\/p>\n

Camera angles such as from below looking up can give an unnatural or distorted view of your face. Making the video will be less enjoyable if you don\u2019t like the look of the final result. Raising your camera to eye level, or slightly above, (no higher than your hairline) will produce the best results. Sitting close to the camera is off-putting for viewers; position the shot so that your shoulders and entire face are captured, with some space around you.<\/p>\n

Rule of Thirds<\/h6>\n

\"\" \u00a0 \"\" \u00a0 \"\"<\/p>\n

The interviewee’s eyes should be roughly level with the top horizontal on a rule of thirds grid. You can also break the rule of thirds by placing the subject’s face directly in the middle square of this grid. All interviewees must, however, be facing straight on and looking directly into the camera. Frame people within the range of a mid-shot to medium close-up.<\/p>\n

Stabilise your recording device<\/h6>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

If you are using a smartphone or tablet, you may need a tripod or case to stabilise your camera. There are plenty of cheap options available. This will ensure that you get the sharpest image possible, remain in focus, and look professional. Alternatively, you could also use a bag of rice, beanbag, or a pile of books!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Lighting<\/h3>\n

All cameras capture better-looking video when there is a good light source, and webcams are no exception. When selecting a place to record, avoid locations with low light or too much backlighting (windows in the background are often a challenge for webcams). \u200bPoor lighting may leave your video looking washed out, or worse, may leave you looking like a shadowy figure.<\/p>\n

\"Look<\/a> \u00a0 \"How<\/a><\/p>\n

Ideally, you want to light yourself from the front<\/strong> with soft<\/span>, indirect light<\/span>, and minimise other lighting<\/span> in the room, particularly from windows or light sources behind you. Place a light with a lampshade in front of you and behind your webcam. Bounce the light off the wall if it is a directional light.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Sound<\/h3>\n

Sound is incredibly important. If the audio is impaired then viewers will not understand you, however clear your video is.<\/p>\n

Conduct a test<\/strong> recording using your built in microphone<\/span> to see if it is good enough. An alternative may be to use the microphone on your headphones<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Control the noise<\/strong>; close the doors and turn off any sources of low humming noises, such as fans, other PCs, etc.\u200b<\/p>\n

We recommend including subtitles with all videos (the Video Portal will generate these for you).<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Recording Format<\/h3>\n

Quality<\/h6>\n

To maximise the quality of your video file, check that whichever recording device you are using is HD<\/strong> quality (720 or 1080). This will also determine the size of your video file.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

File Format<\/h6>\n

To maximise the accessibility of your video file (if sending onto someone else for editing), check that whichever recording device you are using will save your video as an AVI<\/strong> (most compatible, larger, great for storage), MP4<\/strong> (best for the web) or MOV<\/strong> (Apple format, high quality, large).\u00a0 AVCHD or MPG are acceptable (low size, low quality) but may require converting before they can be edited. The codec should be H.264 or MPEG-4.<\/p>\n

If you are working with others, try to agree on one file size and format to use, so when they are edited together, the quality will be consistent.<\/p>\n

Which format is my video?<\/h6>\n

\"Format<\/a><\/p>\n