In an increasingly digitised world, video has become part of our daily lives. Unsurprisingly, video selfies, or “velfies”, have also become an important part of marketing and social media communications in most industries.
YouTube, Facebook Live and video conferencing are leading platforms when it comes to breaking news and showcasing witty film clips, documentaries and viral social media content. However, producing a good velfie requires a certain art.
Here are some tips to help you shoot the best video selfies:
Plan your content
Always remember that you’re communicating with an audience, and the most important thing is to ensure that your message is delivered in bite-size chunks and captures your audience’s attention.
Videos appeal to both sight and sound, and to pull off a lasting impression, your message must be concise and easy to understand, incorporating visuals and sound reaching a wide range of demographics.
Check your lighting
Natural lighting is best, so never shoot at night unless you absolutely have to. In videos – or velfies, in this case – lighting is critical, because it allows you to set the mood.
If you’re shooting indoors, always face a window so that the natural light from the sun illuminates your face. If you’re using a desk lamp, make sure the light shines down on you, and not from below or the side.
Watch your movement
Recording a video selfie limits hand movement, which is a good thing, as too much gesticulating can be distracting. That said, you still need some camera movement to keep your audience engaged.
Use your expressions
During velfie recordings, the phone is usually held quite close to your face, so there will be a strong focus on your facial expression. Use this as a tool to convey your message, and to give your video personality and vibrancy.
However, do not overuse facial expressions – keep them as natural as possible. A good tip is to stand in front of a mirror before you record your video, and to practise your expressions and gestures to see what works.
Consider sound quality
Modern smartphones and digital recording equipment can vividly capture audio, but getting sound for your video isn’t always as simple as pointing and shooting.
The quality of your audio depends on the quality of your smartphone, but also on your location. If you decide to shoot outside, make sure it’s not windy and keep background noise to a minimum. It’s best to film in a quiet location such as a small room with no echo.