Ready, Set, Action!

No more jumpy, yawn-inducing, hard-to-watch home movies. Here’s how to make yours shine.

Know your equipment.

It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people (LCJM staff included) have never taken the time to fully examine their video recorders or read their instruction manuals.

Stand still.

Shaky video is hard to watch. To record events like plays, or soccer games, consider purchasing a tripod. Otherwise, you can do things to minimize camera movement, like holding the camera with two hands, sitting down, or leaning against a wall to steady yourself.

Stay focused.

Don’t jump from scene to scene or subject to subject. Film for a good 10 seconds per shot if you’re getting good footage, or less if you’re just setting the stage. Make your pans slow and controlled.

Keep it light.

The more the better. Film outside when you can, otherwise turn on as many lights as possible if you’re inside. Pay attention to details. Try not to film when the main source of light will be behind you. Many cameras offer features that can be used in low-light situations, such as gain, or different aperture settings. Again, know your camera!

Watch and listen.

Don’t talk over the entire film. Add comments or questions only when needed so viewers can understand what’s happening or if it will make the film better. Otherwise, let the people or the images you’re filming tell the story.

Pay attention to details.

Look around; don’t just stay focused on the person or the action at hand. There can be interesting people, details and animals that when filmed will make your movie even more interesting. Use special effects (like fading to black) that may be available on your video recorder.

Don’t just point and shoot.

A lot of the filming you’ll do will be spontaneous, but when you can, make a plan. You are telling a story and every story has a beginning, middle, and an end. For example, your son is taking his first driver’s test. Do what any good filmmaker would do, set the stage and build a little tension (well, maybe not in front of him if he’s nervous). Take a video shot of the car he’ll be driving after he gets his license. Film a brief Q&A with him beforehand. Then take a brief shot of him walking toward the building to take his test. Later, film him holding his temporary license. Or better yet, get creative and set up a scene where you film him driving off with his arm held out the driver’s window, fist clenched in victory.

Think about composition.

When filming a close up of someone talking, make sure their eyes are located about two-thirds of the way up the screen. Alternate close-ups with wide-view shots. Eyes follow movement so if you want people to pay attention to your twin girls in the forefront of the screen, make sure there isn’t a lot of activity going on behind them.

Edit.

Few people take the time to do this but it can make the difference between a movie that will get watched for years to come, versus one that will stayed buried in a drawer. You’ve invested in the video recorder; now invest the small amount it takes in software and time to make your video worth watching.

LCJM web editor picks:

Here's a great place to start if you're thinking of purchasing video-editing software
http://video-editing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/