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Simple tips to use what you already have

Recently, Ira Glass—host of This American Life, one of the most popular podcasts in the world—shared a photo of him recording a new episode. Like the rest of us, Ira is practicing social distancing.

Which means no access to his normal recording studio.

His solution? .

It’s not such a bad idea. Other big-name professionals like Jimmy Fallon are recording from the safety of their homes, too.

And as it turns out, many (if not most) of the best-selling products on �ڰ������� include videos that were filmed in the creator’s homes. By setting up your environment properly, you can record professional-quality audio and video—all without a professional recording studio.

In this post, we’ll cover all the basics of how to maximize video production and quality at home. And don’t worry, the lighting resources and video equipment we cover here are items you probably already have on hand! 

Watch our video with tips on three main ways to import your audio quality:
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Begin with content

Many beginning course creators spend more time worrying about recording tech than their content. But the opposite should be true.

“Your content matters most,” said Cole Johnston, Senior Video Producer at at �ڰ�������. “People will watch less-than-professional quality video if the content delivers value.”

Before you start filming, take the right amount of time to develop your content and make it as valuable as possible. One rule of thumb is, “Make your content worth 10 times more than what you’re charging.”

Camera and equipment

 Do you need to invest in a $2000 DSLR and professional mic?

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In fact, you probably have a course-ready camera in your pocket right now.

“I always tell people if they're just starting out, start with their smartphone,” said David Hinchman, Video Lead at �ڰ�������. “Smartphones nowadays are so good. They’ve got 4k, 60 frames per second—it’s wild! Plus you already know how to do it. It’s familiar to you.”

Don’t have a tripod specifically for smartphones? No problem.

“If you don't have a tripod, you just have to jerry-rig something,” Dave said. “Use a shelf and prop it up, point the screen towards you, and easily see where your shot is.”

Lighting

Proper lighting draws attention to you, the speaker. (And it has the additional benefit of drawing attention away from any clutter that may have amassed during social distancing!)

Use window light where you can

Lighting your shot with window light is free, readily accessible, and produces accurate colors,  including accurate skin tones.  

There are some downsides, like having less control over the light coming in as well as where windows are located in your home. Window light may change throughout your video if you live in a particularly cloudy area.

“If you have a window with a white curtain, that’ll diffuse and soften the light a lot, making it look really good,” David said.

To get the best results from filming at home, make sure to:

• Shoot at the same time each day, either early morning while the light is soft or at high noon when the sun maintains its position longest.
  
• Position yourself so that you have natural light from the window coming in from one side. Directly facing the window or having it behind you will result in light that is either too harsh or have that nasty silhouette effect!
  
• Turn off non-daylight light bulbs so the colors don’t cast a harsh tone across your skin.

Lamps can work ... if you’re careful

If you want to supplement your shot with additional light, or if you don’t have an available window, use a desk lamp with a daylight bulb! Avoid using tungsten bulbs, as their orange glow will cast a harsh orange tint across your face and clothing, again rendering unnatural skin tones.

Position your desk lamp or other home light source to the side, out of frame and far enough away so that the light isn't so harsh onto your face. A great way to assist in this dampening of light (or “diffusion”) is adding a white bedsheet, shower curtain, or pillowcase in front of the light. You can also fasten a lampshade in place that may soften the direct light.

Capturing professional-sounding audio

Having high-quality sound in your course videos can be equally important—if not more important—than high-quality video. Low audio quality has a bigger impact on how immersed your viewers are than video quality or lighting. 

“I’m a stickler with audio,” said �ڰ������� Live Video Production Lead Irene Pavico-Tsukayama. “I've learned through the years that people are more likely to stick around longer and actually pay attention to your content if the audio is good. I've watched numerous YouTube tutorials that have been helpful even though they aren't the best videos but the audio quality is amazing.”

So before you run out and purchase a new camera that costs thousands of dollars to up your video quality, try these simple steps to get the best sound (and therefore, overall quality) out of the equipment you already have.

Try starting with the equipment you have

Instead of choosing from a list of “budget microphones” that range from upwards of $300, focus on maximizing the audio coming into your webcam, iPhone, laptop camera, camcorder, etc. 

Right now, while online shipping delays are common and many nonessential stores are closed, you have a great opportunity to master the hardware you already have. Why purchase equipment you may not even need or know how to use?

�ڰ������� Live Video Production Lead Irene Pavico-Tsukayama has great advice for everyone recording at home: 

Super important tip before you dive into recording a long video, especially if you’re using an external mic: make sure your audio is being recorded. Hit record, test audio, hit stop and play it. It’s a great habit to develop and one that I always implement at every shoot.

Reduce echo in your environment

Have you ever noticed how an unfurnished room has a loud, big echo, while even just putting a carpet down can cut that in half? 

Making your audio as clean as possible makes a big difference in the perceived quality of your videos. This means the best microphones you can buy are ones that effectively eliminate echo and background noise. 

You can also set up your environment for high-quality audio. To do this, try the following:

• Hang up a couple of blankets or towels next to your face. Make sure to hang them as close as possible without being in the shot or blocking light.
  
• Add another blanket or towel on the floor beneath your feet.
  
• Hang one more blanket or towel behind your microphone. This prevents your voice from bouncing around the room before reaching the microphone of your iPhone or other camera.

Of course, starting in a room with the least amount of echo possible will set you up for the best results! You can install home or panels on the walls or bass traps in corners to reduce echo.

Following these tips means you’ll not only get great audio for your course, you’ll also be able to reuse it. “By making sure you have great audio quality, it’ll give you the option to repurpose your content into a podcast or an audio version of your lesson if it’s in �ڰ�������,” Irene said.

Composing video like confident pros

Much like audio, the video component of quality is equal parts setup and gear. 

Focusing on composing your shot with a nice background free of clutter. Adding some personal items that relate to your business or represent who you are can immerse your audience. A fun mug on the desk goes a long way in building brand affinity. 

With your light and your sound dialed in, the only remaining piece is just ensuring that your filming space is tidy, consistent, and most of all you.

“You want the camera to be eye level—that’s the most natural kind of look,” David said. “If the camera’s lower than you and you’re staring down at it, it’s an intimidating shot. And if it’s above you, and you're looking up at it, you look smaller.”

Getting the technical setup is one thing, but looking confident on camera is another. 

“Don't overthink, don't overanalyze,” said Esteban Robinson, �ڰ������� Photo Lead. “Just do whatever feels natural. Because if you don’t, it’ll show up on camera.”

When your camera is set up and ready to go, you’re free to focus on how you look on camera. “I kind of set it and forget it,” Esteban said. “Cameras today already have really good features. The whole point is not focusing on the technical capabilities of the camera, but focusing on how someone looks and telling that particular story.”

“When we start shooting, I establish that the first shots probably won’t be ‘the ones,’” Esteban said. “But you never know! It’s just about getting comfortable on camera. Be okay with the fact these photos (or videos) probably won’t be the best, but they’re a warm up. Plan to spend an hour.”

Another way to feel comfortable on camera is to act like you’re speaking to a specific individual. 

“Think of that one person that you could help with the information you’re filming and pretend it’s them behind the camera/phone,” Irene said. “Maintain eye contact and make it personal as if you’re only talking to that one person. It will really help your audience connect with you.”

But … what do you do with your hands?

If you feel uncomfortable gesturing with your hands as you speak, leave them out of the shot. According to David, all you have to do is position yourself closer to the camera... Problem solved.

Every video is better than the one before

Like anything in your business, your videos will get better with practice. Plus, the great thing about digital courses is that you can add and update content at any time. 

So if you want, you can re-record and update videos as you get better.

The best way to create high-quality, professional videos is simple: get started. Experiment with lighting around your home. See if you can add curtains to diffuse strong lighting. And practice feeling comfortable and confident on camera.

“At the end of the day, you’ve just got to get over yourself,” Esteban said. “If you're in a business where you’re going to portray yourself, you’ve just got to get on camera and put yourself out there.”

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