Video Tricks

Four Fail-Proof Home Video Tricks that Give Your Movie a Professional Touch

Here are four fail-proof home video tricks to help your movie get past the amateur level and get closer to having a professional rating.

Shooting with a Still Camera   If you've watched the Blair Witch Project, one of the reasons why the movie seemed so realistic is because of its constantly moving camera. While that might be good for a professional movie masquerading as an amateur video, it's not good at all the other way around.

Use a tripod as often as possible. This will ensure smooth seamless recording of your home video from start to finish. If using a tripod isn't possible, try shooting scenes for your video one at a time. If a change of location is necessary, press the pause button or stop recording until you find an adequate position for shooting your next scene.

Lighting Tips and Tricks  

You don't need to buy expensive lighting equipment to brighten up your home video. You can try turning on a few more lamps inside the room to improve the lighting. You can also try replacing low-wattage bulbs with something higher rather than buying new lighting fixtures. Bringing a desk light closer could also help illuminating your subject. Covering your flashlight with different colored cellophane can change the color of lighting for your home video as well.

Subtlety  

Another reason why shooting home videos convincingly is difficult is due to the different acting techniques that your actors have to play. It's important, for instance, that your actors keep their gestures to the minimum level: they should go for more subtlety rather than overblown movements. Here's a golden rule for acting in home videos: just remember to keep things real and simple!

Dolly Shots  

 Although still shots are absolutely preferable, there are instances when you have to shoot scenes with the camera in motion or dolly shots. Since using an actual dolly could cost you money, here are some excellent alternatives to get your movie rolling, so to speak.

You can use a skateboard or your baby's old stroller. This is better than you on roller skates since that would still require you to hold the camera with your hands and subject it to possibly shaky movements. A rolling office chair would also do, but it's better to use a chair without padding to give your camera a firmer foundation. Remember to test your shots to get the perfect angle!