Are you wondering what you need to be aware of before stepping in front of the camera? You probably have a lot of questions, such as what you should wear, how to optimise your lighting, or perhaps you're unsure how to position yourself correctly in front of the camera. If so, this checklist is for you.
At Podymos, we believe that everyone can produce high-quality video, regardless of their background or experience. So, we’ve created a list of 7 key points to ensure all your videos add value to your brand and, most importantly, to your audience.
1. Camera
Before even stepping in front of your webcam, it’s important to ensure that your internet connection and webcam can stream high-quality footage (1080p).
It’s even better if you have a 4K camera, as some software, like Riverside FM, can save your footage locally so you don’t lose any quality and can then upload it to a secure platform for editing.
2. Internet connection
The higher your upload speed, the better. However, any speed over 5 Mbps (megabits per second) will be suitable to stream 720p and 1080p footage.
Before you start filming, check your upload speed by visiting SpeedTest.net and clicking Go.
3. Lighting
A bright room is ideal.
The main light source, typically a window, should be in front of you. If you don’t have a window in the room, an up lighter will also work, but natural light is always best.
Why is this important? Well, if the main light source is behind you, to your right, or to your left, it’ll darken the footage, making it difficult for your audience to see your facial expressions.
If you’re a regular when it comes to filming online, you may already have a ring light that you can put in front of you. If not, and you want to purchase one, there are many options available in various shapes and sizes, but we’ve listed a few below that we’ve used.
4. Backdrop
A clean backdrop is always best, with a few well-placed features such as photographs, awards, certificates, or logos on the wall. This can be at work or at home.
Digital backgrounds are not ideal as they often cut the presenter’s image in unpredictable ways, which can be distracting for the audience and impact the professional look of your final footage.
5. Audio
You may find that your computer or webcam audio feed works just fine; however, if not, you can use external earphones or a microphone to improve the quality.
There are many options available. We’ve listed a few below that we use ourselves when filming or speaking online.
6. Clothing & glasses
You may not think about your clothing choices too much before stepping in front of the camera, but they can make quite an impact.
Plain-coloured clothes are always best, and bright clothes can really stand out, adding a pop to your video.
On the other hand, stripes or checks should be avoided as they can cause strobing in the final footage, which can be distracting for the audience.
If possible, it’s best not to wear glasses during filming, as your computer screen can reflect in the lenses. If you do need glasses, try to mitigate any reflections during setup.
7. Other media sources
To ensure no audio or screen interference during filming, we recommend turning off all other media devices and programs.
Yes, this includes putting your phone on silent and closing all applications on your computer, so there is nothing to cause distraction. Now that this is all done, you’re ready to go!