Unsung Stories

TIPS FOR FILMING

Phone and Tablet Recording

If you’re recording on your phone, you’ll need to select the camera, ensure it’s in video mode, and press record. If you’re filling in the entry form on your phone, you can attach the video from your camera roll. Alternatively, transfer the video to a computer to attach when you fill in the entry form.

It’s also a good idea to ensure you’re recording in HD, which you can check in the Camera settings on your device.

Computer Recording

Most laptops will have a built-in web cam with a camera app that you can open, change to video mode and record this way. For example, on a Mac computer you can use Photo Booth in your Applications folder.

Alternatively, you could also use Zoom to do this by starting a new meeting by yourself. Press the record button along the bottom menu, wait for the red light in the top left corner to appear and “recording” to be next to it. When you’re finished, click the red “End” button in the bottom right corner. The file will then process and be saved to your “Documents” folder in a new folder called “Zoom”.

General Tips for Recording

• If you are using mobile or tablet device, please make sure you have turned on the “Do Not Disturb” function so that phone calls, messages and notifications don’t interrupt your filming. If you don’t have this function, you can also turn on “Airplane Mode”.
• Be sure to speak clearly and be close to your device or use an external microphone.
• Take note of where the camera is on your device and try to look directly into the camera as much as possible.
• Please choose a spot with as little background noise as possible – close all windows and doors that open onto streets or noisy birds and let colleagues, family, housemates and pets know.
• If you have a ring light, it’s a great idea to use it as you have more control over the lighting for your video. If not, we recommend being close to natural light, like positioning yourself near nice big window. Open all blinds and curtains to let that light in, however please keep in mind where the sun is and make sure don’t have a window behind you that has sun streaming in! Facing a window is best.
• Clean your camera lens.
• Make sure your background is appropriate. Try to avoid sitting in front of open doors where people may walk in and out of frame. Nice paintings, bookcases or plants in the background often work well.
• Do a short test first to check that the image, sound and lighting are working well before recording your final video.
• If recording on your computer, please close and quit all other programs on your device – Outlook, webmail, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, messages, WeChat, etc.