Top Tips for filming online content by a Freelance Writer & Videographer, Cardiff.
This article is about my experience of collaborating with a fellow creative from South Wales: Amy Reed, Flashbulb Photography and Videography
A big part of working as a freelancer in the creative industry is networking, and that comes a surprise to nobody. But the less publicised, while unfortunately no less vital, part of getting yourself known, is offering your time and services for free, or collaborating on an exchange basis. This becomes even more essential if your niche or area of interest isn’t specific or commercial enough. I am a freelance writer, based in Cardiff, my niche is cultural criticism and we are living through a pandemic… There’s nobody banging down my door for witty social commentary right now.
Amy is a photographer, with both the academic credentials and career history to prove it. She worked as a photojournalist for years before going freelance and setting up her own business, in Swansea, as a wedding photographer. Amy is never short on work, between the weddings, corporate bookings, and family shoots, however, she does struggle to make time to post the blogs that are necessary to keep her website at the top page of Google’s search results. This is where I come in!
Writing about a wedding feels as personal as it is to let someone photograph you when you say “I do” or film a speech in which a hush falls when someone who has already passed is honoured. I feel the weight of the trust put into me when I’m asked to write a day into life.
How do I write blog content about a wedding I haven’t attended?
I think my fellow freelance writers would agree that it’s all about the research. I scour through galleries; read responses from questionnaires given to couples; keep abreast of SEO key terms; source links to other vendors the couple use; and then turn that key information into a blog. But I add the magic too, I make sure to pick out details from the photos that help to tell a story. I also keep a keen eye out for any dogs in formal attire, and I’d be sorely disappointed if Amy didn’t know their name, but she always does.
Amy agreed to film and edit the footage for my video tutorials for Out and About Literacy in exchange for me writing her blog posts. This kept us both busy during lockdown without costing us anything but the time we had so much of.
Filming my videos ready to upload to Teachable was of vital significance, we all know how quick we are to press skip on a poor-quality video! It was also an area I had ZERO experience in, luckily, I had a pro to guide me through (with a stern hand, no less!) Here’s what I discovered…
How to avoid rookie mistakes when you are being filmed for the first time:
Write a script.
The first thing Amy told me to do was to write a script. She told me it was the most important thing to do, but I didn’t listen. It seemed silly, as I wouldn’t have time to memorise it.
But, there are multiple reasons you write a script, the primary one being because it acts as a signpost for the videographer. By having a script before filming, they can:
Give feedback about anything they think should be cut, because video works best when it’s short and snappy.
Prepare titles and graphic overlays in advance for a quicker editing turnaround.
Make sure the language in the video is the same as the language used in any text overlaid or file names.
During filming, the videographer can also:
Keep the person they are filming on track and offer them cues if needed.
Suggest places where longer pauses should be added, (so that when they are editing, they can make seamless cuts and either change camera angles or add things like videos or images)
As I said, I didn’t write a script. It was a disaster! Because of the disorganisation of the content in my mind I kept repeating points, having not anticipated how many mistakes I’d make, because I lost my thread and confidence.
Amy gave me this straight-up feedback on the process of that first shoot, “You were disorganised and thought you knew how it would all pan out, even though you’d never filmed before. It took at least 3 times longer to get through than I would have anticipated. For 15 minutes of filming, with a single person and in one location, it took us hours. If you were paying me, I wouldn’t have minded because I’d have been charging you by the hour, but that often agitates people more as they can see their budget draining away. The whole experience stops being fun. Next time, trust the professional has given you advice for a reason! By having a script you are involving the videographer and they can better facilitate you with achieving the creative vision you had in mind.”
The second time we filmed I relaxed into it far quicker because I didn’t feel like I was making a fool of myself, largely because I’d sent a script in advance and had one printed for both her and I on the day.
Other things to consider:
Pets:
Yes, pets are cute, but remove them from the room to avoid the pitter patter and tippy tap of toes on laminate. If they aren’t vital to the video they are likely to lengthen your recording process by distracting you or making noises.
If pets are needed for the shoot, make sure you have treats or their favourite toy at the ready to placate them and choose a venue they are familiar with if possible, if not take them to the new location beforehand to acquaint them with it or settle them before shooting starts.
For the editing process:
Plan the upload order if you need multiple videos or a combo of videos and document uploads.
Make sure the language used in the video corresponds with language used in any text overlaid on the screen and with the names of the videos and any additional resources. You don’t want someone searching for the ‘Parent Guide’ that doesn’t exist because although you called it that in the video, you actually uploaded that document as ‘Task Instructions’.
For the aesthetic:
Get the light right, face into natural light and don’t even think about having light flooding in behind you.
The background should be clutter free.
Wear simple outfits that won’t distract.
Working with a professional is beneficial because apart from having an individual job managed, you also get their expertise and can develop your own understanding of how to make the process slicker next time. Everything outlined above was pointed out to me in a single session. It gave me a huge confidence boost before my second session and made it much quicker too.
Amy shoots exclusively with Sony A9 cameras, she has 4 to be exact, and uses a prime lens on each. While shooting with me she used two cameras, one handheld and one on a tripod, with a 90mm and 28mm lens. This allowed her to edit over errors I made by switching camera angle and stopped the video becoming too monotonous, something I hadn’t considered, but I was really pleased about when I saw the finished result.
To hire Amy, click here.
To hire me for any of your content writing needs, please send me an email to kkeegan1984@gmail.com and outline the sort of thing you’re after.
To find out more about Out and About Literacy, and access a free course, click here.
To buy Hedgehog Literacy, a series of online tutorials about how to turn your garden into haven for hedgehogs while delivering literacy for 7-11 year olds, click here.
Freelance Writer - Content Creator - Blogger - Teacher - Homeschool Resources
