A bad homemade video is demeaning to watch, filled with bad footage and long dead scenes. Luckily it's not hard to make a good (even great) video when you know how. Read the following steps to learn.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Plan
Step 1. Get all the equipment
To make a home video, you will need a device to record a video. Digital video cameras offer high quality video and multiple options, but cell phones are more comfortable and, if you already have one, more affordable. Also get a tripod to be able to record steady scenes, unless you want to give the video an intentionally wobbly effect (which is fine in certain types of footage). There are tripods made for both smartphones and regular video cameras. For interviews, you could use a small digital microphone. If you also need lights, now is the time to get them.
- Tripods for phones are usually smaller and shorter than those for video cameras. Find a higher flat surface (such as a table) to place it in an elevated position.
- The camcorder is usually equipped with protective devices, which include a cap to put on the lens to protect it from possible scratches. Remember to take it off before you start filming!
Step 2. Get a good idea
Do you want to film a special event, an ordinary day or something else? Do you want to interview people, do you want them to behave naturally or do you want to play a part? Think of similar questions and sketch out a plan to follow. Even the most mundane movie like catching a child playing or a wedding reception can be done better by planning it in advance.
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If you are filming a scene according to a script, you will need costumes, props, and some copies of the script. You can find great tutorials on how to create low-cost props on YouTube.
You will need a powerful video editor such as Adobe After Effects to create special effects, such as explosions and laser beams. The program is quite expensive, so consider warned. As for the props, it can also be created at low costs
- If you want to film a family event like a wedding, make a master plan instead of shooting whatever happens before your eyes. Take some key people aside (for example the bride and groom) and ask them questions; or shoot at the venue and then ask someone to tell the story about the venue. You can combine all of these elements to make a fun final video to watch.
- If you are filming spontaneous events (for example with animals and children), plan to film for a while and then put the most interesting parts together. This way the chance to capture something fun and enjoyable will be greater.
Step 3. Plan everything in advance
Check the battery level of the recording device and keep a battery charger handy. Turn on and off and adjust all settings to make sure everything is working. Move everything you don't need for the scene (eliminating the dirty clothes on the floor) and make sure the tripod is mounted and working well. Take a test video and watch it to see if the colors and sound are good. Also check the microphone. Finally, prepare the light: light some candles, place the table lamps or open some windows until you have the right lighting for your video.
Part 2 of 4: Prepare a Screenplay
Step 1. Write a script
Make sure it's not too long or it doesn't develop too quickly or your viewers will get bored. Make sure you develop each character distinctly. Have them gradually develop into your story (for example, if a couple of people are on a date and start arguing, it won't be enough for them to just sit down and yell at each other that they hate each other) and make sure it is all right. sliding.
Step 2. Find actors and assistants
Make sure the actors have talent. Don't take them just for looks or because they're friends of yours. If you want to help them, try assigning them a job behind the camera. Also make sure you have substitutes in case anyone gets sick.
Step 3. Review the script and cut the boring scenes
Make sure, by reaching the fifth page, the plot is already clear.
Step 4. Test the scenes without using the camera
See if some don't work or if it takes too long to film them. During this phase it is okay if the cast acts by reading.
Step 5. Review the script one more time and then proceed with the work on memorizing it
Make sure that all actors and even substitutes learn everything by heart.
Part 3 of 4: Shooting
Step 1. Start with some shots of the environment
Take footage of the location where you are filming. This can be very useful to you based on the type of video you are making and can be a test of the footage. The shots of the environment can be inserted at various points in the video to give a better idea of the place. They can also be useful for switching between scenes, adding subtitles or a sequence of credits.
Shoot the environment using a tripod to get stable scenes
Step 2. Use three types of footage to create a video that looks more professional
By varying between wide angle, medium and close-up shots you can compose a video that attracts the viewers' attention, compared to a continuous shot.
- Wide-angle panoramic shots can be taken from a tripod to establish points for scene changes or to give the viewer a sense of the size of an event such as a party or wedding. A wide angle that narrows onto a road is perfect for car chases if you're doing that kind of shot.
- Medium distance shots are used to show action scenes. To capture scenes such as children playing, dance groups, or people having lunch at a family reunion, shoot from not too far away (or using a medium zoom). A medium shot is also suitable for showing sword fights, acrobatic scenes or sporting events.
- Close-ups are great for showing emotions and reactions. They are also suitable for interviews or for filming dialogue between characters. Try to frame people on one side of the foreground rather than exactly in the center.
Step 3. Record the scenes without following a precise order
It's okay to film things based on what makes sense at the time and then edit the video so that when it's done everything runs smoothly. For example, if you are filming a family event and want to interview people, you can do short interviews before and after the event and then insert them into the film to create a flowing narrative. If you have people in costumes with props, film all the scenes with those objects first; then, move on to other pieces and film those scenes later. Rearranging the various parts of the video is a simple thing, thanks to modern video editing software.
Step 4. Transfer the video to your computer
When the movie is complete, transfer it to your computer so you can cut out the parts you don't want, tidy up and put the finishing touches. High quality videos require a lot of memory space, so consider using an external hard drive for longer videos.
- To transfer a video from your camcorder, you can connect it to your computer with a special cable (included in most modern camcorders); or you can record it on optical devices (if your camcorder has a DVR) and then transfer the video from the disks to your computer.
- To transfer a video from your smartphone, you can send it to your email address and download it from your computer; alternatively, you can connect your phone to your computer with a cable and transfer files directly, as in the case of a digital video camera. Keep in mind that the email method can be extremely slow in the case of very long videos.
Part 4 of 4: Editing
Step 1. Trim the excess takes
To get started, open the video file in Windows Media Maker (for Windows users) or iMovie (for Mac users). There are other free programs available, but these two are most likely already installed on your computer and are roughly the same in efficiency and usefulness. Navigate the video timeline by highlighting the segments you don't want, then delete them.
For the moment it is better not to be too precise. Only delete the parts you are sure not to use and make sure you leave a good margin on the parts you are likely to use. You can refine the details later
Step 2. Put the video back in order
Always with approximate cuts, separate the various "parts" and move them in the temporal sequence. Use the preview feature of the software to get an idea of how the transition from one scene to another happens.
- At this point, dedicate as much time as you feel necessary. Try everything you can think of until the transition from each segment to the next is smooth. You may find that some takes are not as useful as you thought; do not hesitate to cut them.
- Follow a narrative that makes sense; later you will worry about changing the types of takes. It may happen that you end up with only one type of shot in succession. This may be fine, provided the narrative makes sense.
Step 3. Finish cutting
Zoom into the timeline to change short intervals and cut off excess material at the ends of the segments. With the preview tool, check that you have eliminated all excess parts.
If you want, you can add simple transitions between the various scenes by superimposing them on the timeline. For example, by eliminating screens horizontally and vertically, by fading or subtitles. Try various things with your program's library of transition effects to find the one you like, or skip ahead for a more structured video
Step 4. Add effects if needed
If you are good at these things and if you have a copy of After Effects (or another similar program), and if some scenes need sound effects or virtual explosions and gunshots, now is the time to add them.. You will need to export the video file and open it in the effects program. Once you are done with the effects, save the video and open it again in the video editing program.
- This guide does not specifically cover how to create effects with After Effects or similar programs; you can look for more insights on wikiHow or on the web in general.
- Once exported, the video will open in the editor as a continuous movie. If you want to segment it again, you will have to do it manually.
Step 5. Add the finishing touches
If you want to add music, you can import music files and drag them to the audio track of the timeline. You can decide to mute the original video track (useful for scene shooting) or leave it on and use the music to create atmosphere during an interview or speech. Finally, add a title card at the beginning of the movie; or add the title at the top to the first scene for a more active effect; if necessary, add credits at the end.
Once finished, watch the video one more time with the preview tool and then export it to create the final video. If, instead of exporting it, you save it, it will remain a video "project" file and not a real video
Step 6. Share the video
Now that the video is finished, share it with others. If you've shot a video to give to friends and family, use a DVR drive to burn copies to DVD discs and send them to recipients. To share it on a larger scale, you can upload the video to YouTube, Vimeo, or similar sites.
- If you upload the video, don't use copyrighted music. Sometimes, recording companies frown on the unlicensed use of copyrighted songs, and will ask for the video to be removed from the site. Nothing might happen, but it's still not a good thing.
- You can make YouTube videos semi-private allowing access only to those who have the web address; there is always the possibility that someone else sees it by mistake, so make sure that the content is legal.
