The little guide to mobile phone filming

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The little guide to mobile phone filming

Mobile phone video is becoming more and more important in helping us reach a wider audience. You may be wondering exactly what equipment you need to invest in to take advantage of this trend.

I’ve put together a list of the basic things you might want to consider for your video kit.

Smart phone

As smart phone cameras become better and better, they are great for on the fly interviews, vlogging and Facebook Lives. You can of course use more sophisticated cameras, depending on your budget.

Sound

Whether you’re a small business creating vlogs or Facebook Lives, or a large film production company, ensuring your film or video has great sound is critical to the success of your output. People will put up with badly filmed video, but will switch off if they can’t hear the sound properly.

Microphones

To ensure you get decent sound in your videos, you will need a microphone. There are different types of microphones available. They all do different things and have different directional capabilities: omnidirectional, bidirectional and unidirectional. If you visit any trade show (such as BVE) there are loads of companies selling suitable microphones and of course you can also get them online as well.

Rode mic

One well known brand of microphones is Rode. The Rode mic I have here is their VideoMic Go, Lightweight On-Camera Microphone. It cost me around £50 on Amazon.

Lavalier mic

The lavalier mic I have here is a Blixxo Lavalier mic BLM-10 and it cost me about £30 on Amazon. It is an omnidirectional microphone and clips on the lapel or other clothing of the person being interviewed, or your clothing, if you’re are the one that is talking. The fluffy thing, is a sock to put over the microphone when you’re filming outside. It stops wind noise on the mic.

Tripod

To help keep your phone or camera steady, especially if you’re a bit nervous, use a tripod. There are lots of ones available that are suitable for smart phones, like the one I have here.

 

 

Camera rig

You can also use what is called a camera rig. This allows you hold the camera steady and add lighting and a microphone to is as well, making it easier to film.

Tripod, rig & mic setup

In this pic I’ve set the camera rig on top of my photography/film tripod, added a light and the Rode mic. This means my footage is stable and I am hands free to talk directly to my viewers, without having to worry about keeping the camera pointing in my direction.

Lighting

How you light your video is also important. This doesn’t have to be expensive. Natural light is often the best way to light anything, be it a photo or a video. Think about the direction of the light. Light coming through a window is directional, so if it is very strong, will give strong shadows on the other side of a person’s face. If you’re filming on a really bright, sunny day, the sun can make people quint, which doesn’t look good on camera.

Diffusing light/reflectors

To help balance the light more easily, use reflectors. Again, these don’t have to be expensive. A sheet, or piece of white paper is a good start to fill in the shadows. Use a light coloured curtain, or even a net curtain to diffuse light coming through a window. I have even used a cheap white shower curtain from Wilkos, which cost me about £1.

On rig lighting

If you use a camera rig, there are spaces to add a light, or even multiple lights. Just be careful if your subject is wearing glasses. It can cause strong light reflections on the glasses. May be use some of the diffusers you have such as the Wilko shower curtain, to cut down on the glare.

Selfie ring

For those all important selfie videos, a selfie ring can add light to your video. This just clips over your phone and is super easy to use.

Power bank

The final bit of the kit is a power bank. There is nothing more annoying than running out of power half why through your interview, or piece that you’re filming. Have at least one charged power bank. More is better.

Check out my video version of this guide on YouTube here.

Making a short film on a budget with your smart phone? Check out my blog post of tips here.

To discuss how I can help you with your video projects call 0775 341 3005 or email info @ iconiccreative.co.uk.