Written by: René Estes, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Myth 1: Use the equipment, don’t show it.
To look professional, I have to show the equipment, so my audience will know. “I am professional.” I will look like a famous radio host. Radio hosts are on the radio, and sound is the only part broadcast. Radio has no image that accompanies the sound. Showing the equipment distracts you and your content.
The main three pieces of equipment often seen within the frame are large microphones attached to a broadcast arm and large headsets and lighting stand. The solution is to position the microphone above or below the frame or to the side of the frame. A professional microphone has areas where it cancels out sound to record clear, focused sound from the source intended. A lavalier is another excellent choice for a microphone. For the headsets, I recommend using small earbuds or nothing at all. The on-camera person doesn't have to run all the equipment.
The light stands, again should not be seen inside the frame. Most often, it is an oversight. Instead, the light is positioned behind the scene, and the stand is visible within the frame. Again, good lighting is about sculpting the light and utilizing the highlights and shadows.
Myth 2: Forget blocking and planning. Let’s do it!
Forgetting to block or plan a video won't affect my product. A rushed job looks rushed, messy and unprofessional. The most frequent thought is to use a room divider as a backdrop to hide the mess.
It does hide the mess but doesn’t achieve the meaning you intend. A tight space around you creates an anxious feeling for your audience. If you are a coach, your leads will feel anxious, and the "the like, know and trust” factor will diminish, and they will click by you faster. Tidy up your space, plan out the mise en scène (everything within the frame). Move your furniture and create a dedicated space for your filming. Have some distance between you and the back wall.
The Know, Like, and Trust factor needs space and air to breathe in those feelings. Myth 3: My coach told me to do it, and here I am doing it!
Showing your audience, you are taking a risk doesn’t get you the outcome you are trying to achieve. You have 2.7 seconds to capture your audience’s attention, don’t squander it showing your audience what a risk taker you are. We are in the business of risk-taking, no need to show it. Think in terms of “Ready, Set, Action!” When you get to “Action,” jump right into your content.
Myth 4: No need for post-production!
Once your video is shot, edit it using the best free online video editor and then launch it onto your various platforms. Facebook Lives can be edited in videos that are longer than five minutes. If you edit your videos, then you can craft a piece of art. You can cut on emotion, story and rhythm. When you compose a work of art, then you can jump above your competition in ways that will leave them wondering what just happened.
Myth 5: My voice is enough.
Sound design, what is that? The sound of my voice is enough. A crafted sound design has layers: room tone, music score, Foley, and voice-over. Your voice is essential, as well as the others elements.
René Estes, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
René Estes is a third-generation entrepreneur. She is a child of the space race. Her father tested for both the Gemini and Apollo missions. Her maternal grandfather invented one of the first ice cream filling machines in the 1950s. These are her roots.
René comes from a coaching background and holds dual degrees from the University of Colorado Boulder, a bachelor’s of art, and a bachelor’s of fine arts (BA/BFA) in film theory and production. She has combined these two worlds into one. René Estes, The Video Mentor, teaches businesses how to make professional videos with the principles of filmmaking.
The Video Mentor brings in film theory and film techniques. It is important to know why you want to craft your videos with meaning, along with how to craft them professionally.
