5 Tips for Filming in your Home
Recently, we’ve all been flung into this “online learning” platform without being asked. I know a lot of teachers and professionals feel a little bit like YouTubers right now, but without all of the fame and glory. If you can call what YouTubers have “fame and glory!” Ha! But, at the end of the day, we’re putting ourselves out there and I came up with a list of 5 ways to better your filming set up in your house! I filmed this with an iPad Pro, since that is what we are given in my district. The same rules would apply, for the most part, with all other devices, especially your phone!
Tip #1 Camera Settings & Placement
Up those camera settings. Most of the time your camera is set to film on 1080, but you can change that in your camera settings to make them a little more sharp! The files will take up more space on your phone, but if you plan on editing them somewhere else, you can delete them when you’re all finished.
Make sure your camera is in Landscape mode, not portrait. Unless you’re filming a TikTok or IG story, keep that camera in landscape!
Also, set it up so that it’s at eye level. Don’t have a tripod? Use a stack of books, laundry basket, old boxes, anything! Get creative!
Lastly, use that back camera. I don’t care how great your selfie mode is, the back camera is always better!
Tip #2 Location
You want to pick a spot in your home that is well lit. Make sure the windows or lighting is behind your camera, or even to the side. If the light is directly behind you, you’ll appear dark and hard to see.
Clear the space behind you. For those watching the video, they may be easily distracted if there’s too much happening. You don’t need a perfectly clean space, just something well lit and with no piles of stuff directly in the space.
Tip #3 Sound
Since most of aren’t trying to create professional videos to appear on the big screen, the sound of the mic on our phones, iPads, or laptops should be fine, as long as you’re sitting close enough. If you’re too far away, yes, your sound will be compromised. If you have a pair of AirPods (even the cheaper brand), these will help immensely with sound. A smaller space will be better and the sound will echo less, but that’s not always possible. If you wish to sit closer to your device, try just a regular pair of earbuds, they have a great mic built in!
Tip #4 Minimize Distractions
Many of us are home with our children, pets, and significant others. It can be hard to get a totally quiet space. I know I can only bribe mine for so long! I try to film when my kids are outside playing and warn them that if they come in to keep it quiet, which is not always possibly with 3 boys. Thank goodness for the ability to trim and edit clips!
I also learned to silence my cell phone…the hard way! In the middle of what I thought was a great “take,” my phone beeped with an incoming message! Whoops! Make sure that baby is on silent, I promise you’ll thank me later!
Tip #5 Trim
If you’re using an ipad or iphone, when you go into your camera roll, you will have the ability to trim and edit your clips. You’ll want to trim the first and last few seconds off of your clips. Those couple seconds where you’re staring at the camera waiting to start, or those couple seconds at the end where you look down at your notes or smile awkwardly at your kid who just walked in the room. Trim them off! It will make your video just the tiniest bit better!
Let’s be real, we’re not trying to become the next YouTube star, but if we want our students to listen and get the most out of what we’re saying, these 5 tips, may be a helpful start! I hope you were able to pull at least one useful tip!
