Filming a web video requires attention to even the smallest and slightest detail. However, if you have never filmed a web video before, then you may only be concerned with how the video looks. While this is very important, there is something that you must pay attention to even more importantly than how the video looks. If you have ever watched a web video, and the audio was off, either it were too quite or it did not match with what was happening on the screen, you probably stopped the video and went to another website, right?
This is because the audio of a web video is extremely important in getting your message across. But how do you ensure that your web video has great audio quality?
The main step to having amazing audio with your web video is to make sure that you have all of the proper equipment. Now, this does not mean that you have to go out and purchase a $1000 boom microphone that motion pictures use, however, it does mean that you will need to have at least the basic equipment needed. Many times when people film a web video, they simply use the microphone that is located on their video camera. While this may be passable for more visually-focused web videos, many videos require a person to speak.
When you use the pre installed microphone on your camera, you are going to get low-quality sound, and if it is windy outside, or if there is any type of background noise, your audio will come out with poor quality. This is why having a decent hand-held microphone is very important.
If you are worried that holding a hand-held microphone will make your web video look “cheap,” there are several ways to cheat the system. If you have more than one person helping you with your web video, simply allow the extra person to hold the microphone out of frame while you are speaking. This will ensure that you are clearly, and professionally heard, but you will not have to worry about holding an awkward microphone, which is seldom seen in marketing. However, if you do not have an extra person to hold the microphone, you can simply place the microphone close to you, but keeping it out of the shot. In order to do this, you may want to have a close-up done on yourself, or the subject that you are filming.
Since the frame will be closer on you, you will not have to worry about the microphone showing up in the shot. You can place the microphone on a table by you, however, this may result in strange noises, especially if you live in an apartment complex or any such place where noises may result. A great tip on filming and recording audio in this manner is to hold the microphone in your lap, facing it toward your mouth.
This will let you have a shot that is focused on your mid-waist and up, as well as allowing the microphone to be close enough to your mouth to record the audio. Make sure that you speak louder than you normally do when the microphone is in your lap, however, don’t yell. Web videos become even more awkward when the speaker is having to force themselves to be louder.
