If you don’t have a budget to hire a videographer/editor to make a jazzy video for you, you can “fake it til’ you make it” by using a webcam and a few simple tips:
1. PREPARE A SCRIPT
Even if you’re the type who always excelled in public speaking and think you can just “wing it”, it’s best to have a script or at least an outline of one beside you. This will serve as a guide and ensure you don’t needlessly ramble on and bore your audience. Remember, web videos need to be short, concise and engaging. By going off the cuff, you risk losing your audience’s attention within a split second or click of the mouse.
2. MAKE SURE YOU LOOK GOOD
While this may seem like a fairly obvious statement, when you don’t have a director/videographer to tell you how you look behind the camera, it’s strictly up to you. Often times we sit behind our computers munching on snacks and wind up looking more disheveled than we realize. Before hitting “record”, hit up the bathroom and give yourself a once over.
3. RELAX AND BE YOURSELF
Yes, you’re potentially showing your face to millions of people but at the same time, there’s an even bigger possibility your video will get lost in the annals of Youtube if you don’t promote it. Either way, you need to remain grounded and put things into perspective. Those who will gravitate to you and your video will do so not because you’re trying too hard. They will respond to you because they relate to your message. That’s why it’s best to take the pressure off and just be yourself. “You” are not always nervous — and if you are, you might want to talk to someone about that.
We just discovered an amazing camera support system from Montreal, Canada called Shape.
It’s remarkably comfortable and affordable. The telescopic arm rests on the hip leaving your arms free to relax when the need arises. Anyone who has shot with a handheld rig will know the value in being able to relax your arms from focusing and holding up the camera. Check it out!
A promotional video I wrote / shot / directed / edited for Black Dog Yoga, a zen yoga studio located in the heart of Sherman Oaks, CA.
This is the promo video that currently appears in and will be featured smack center on the brand new website for the WEBISODE STUDIO.
A video of my recent trip to NYC shot & edited on the iPhone 4.
I LOVE YOU APPLE! Thanks for putting the technology in my hands. All you need is a little creativity, vision and a little time on a cross-country flight to assemble the footage into a comprehensive visual story.
It’s been a busy week as I embark upon my new path as founder and creative director of the Webisode Studio, a one-stop shop for Internet Video Production.
So far, I’ve:
1. Registered the domain and started to create content for my site, WEBISODE STUDIO
2. Uploaded a bunch of my videos to YOUTUBE
3. Started this blog here to officially begin documenting the productivity and progress of making videos for sites on the WWW (Wild Wild Web).
Please check back regularly for brand new videos and information as it relates to the production of video content.
Looking forward to this adventure!
Elayne Laken
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