Do you need to record a high-quality video with your smartphone? Just follow these ten easy steps.
- Dress in business attire and avoid tight patterns (See example)
- Find a place in your house where the background is not too busy or distracting. A blank wall or a set of bookshelves often works well.
- Make sure that the room you are recording in has plenty of light. A lamp placed somewhere behind the camera is a great way to do this- but don’t put a light or window behind you or else we won’t be able to see you! (See example)
- Ensure that your environment is quiet. Turn off any fans, washing machines, dryers, or dishwashers—these can be picked up by the audio recording. Don’t record outside- wind, cars, and other noises are louder than you think.
- Check your phone settings to make sure video will record at the highest quality. If you are using an iPhone, follow these steps:
- Go to the Settings app
- Scroll down and tap on “Camera”
- Tap on “Record Video”
- Tap the “4K at 30fps” option. This will set your camera to record high-quality video.
You’re now ready to record! For best results, we recommend using the camera on the back of your phone, so you may need to ask someone else to help you complete the next steps.
- If you don’t have a phone tripod, you’ll need to prop the phone against something steady, like a stack of books. Please do not have someone else hold the phone while filming you—no matter how steady their hands are, there will still be a bit of shaking. Make sure the camera is at EYE LEVEL with your eyes. You do not want to be looking down on the camera or up to the camera. (See example of an easy d.i.y. phone stand)
- Rotate your phone sideways so that it is in the HORIZONTAL position. This is very important for recording video.
- Adjust the phone to frame your face within the screen. The camera should capture roughly a half inch of empty space above your head and should capture at least an inch below your chin. (See example)
- When you’re ready to film, tap the Record button (or ask your assistant to do this). Silently count to three before you start speaking. When you’re finished recording, silently count to three and then tap the Record button again to stop the recording. Adding this extra time makes it easier to edit the video afterwards.
- If you made a mistake during your video, don’t worry! You can repeat the recording as many times as necessary. When you’re happy with the video, submit it using the instructions provided for your specific project.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully recorded a high-quality video.
