Making Project Videos: Tips & Tricks from the Ben Heck Crew

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Over the years there have been a variety of people involved with creating the videos for The Ben Heck Show - but it all started with Ben and a camera on a tripod.

This document will outline some of the terminology and lessons learned over the years to help make it easier create high quality videos that people like to watch.

If you have a specific question not covered here, please ask it in the comments section below.

Prepare!

• List project steps and make a shot list. Plan ahead, listing the steps, and think about how you want to show that in the video.  Doing this helps you know the shots you’ll need and really helps cut down editing time. 
  • That said - run the camera as much as possible.  The raw footage will help you double-check that you’re showing the full story of your build.  It can also be used for b-role.
• Prepare your workspace with the shot list in mind.  Put all the materials, tools, etc. nearby so that you do not need to search for things while filming.  This kind of preparation cuts down editing time.
• Make sure your work area is well lit.
  • If using bright, portable lights, consider pointing them to the ceiling or bounce them off a sheet of white foam core - this helps disburse the light and cut glare.
• Tape off your work bench.  If you’re going to be showing close-ups of your work, then set up your tripod, lights and workbench so that you have a good shot in the viewfinder.  Then put pieces of tape along the outside borders of what you see in the viewfinder. This will help visually remind you to keep everything in the shot. (You might also use tape to mark where the feet of your tripod are to easily return it to position if it gets bumped or needs to be moved.)

Camera Tips

• Always check your focus. Be sure that whatever you are showing can be seen clearly.

• Frame your shots. Think about what is most important to show or what it is you are trying to show. Move your camera closer or farther away or change angles to best display your subject.

• Whenever possible, use video rather than photos. Adding camera movement when recording closeups shows the audience more angles and makes the shot more interesting than a static image.

• Don’t be afraid to do multiple takes. No one is perfect and gets it right the first time, every time.

• Getting the same shot from multiple angles or distances will give you more options to choose from during editing and help make sure you can show the audience exactly what you want them to see.

Recording

• If you are doing something tedious that doesn't need to be explained in detail, timelapses are a good way to compress time (e.g. watching something 3-d print).

• If you need more detail, you may be able to go back later and record a closer shot of the same action so you have something to cut to during the post production process.

• Rather than trying to explain what you’re doing as you are doing it, try shooting close ups of each step and recording voice over of what you're doing later. This allows you to focus and be more concise in what you say.

• Record ANY progress you make. Not all of it has to be included in a final video, but it’s better to have it and not need it, than to want it and not have it.

• Audiences love looking at people’s faces. Show yourself talking when you are not specifically showing your project. Close up shots of project work can be inserted where relevant.

• As you are shooting try to think about things from the audience's perspective. If you were trying to replicate what was on screen what angle would you want to see?

Audio

• Bad audio can negate good video - especially if it’s difficult to hear/understand or if there’s too much background noise that drowns out what you’re saying.

• If possible, use an external microphone or additional audio recording device that can be placed closer to your mouth to get a clearer recording of your voice.

• If recording separate audio, it can often be synced with video in editing software.

• Run tests. Before you begin recording for your project video, record yourself in the environment in which you will be working. Listen back to the audio and make any adjustments possible to improve quality.

• Know where you microphone is. Keep the microphone directed at your mouth and as close as possible to get the best quality audio possible.

• Avoid excess noise when recording. Record in a quiet room and turn off any fans or items that make noise. Be aware of your movement and how it might also make noise. Avoid placing your microphone on a surface that will experience vibration.

• If your environment or project generate too much noise, consider recording video and later record voice over to say what is needed to explain the video.

• Add tunes! If you have a timelapse or construction with no talking, add music to make it more interesting. There is a lot of creative commons stuff out there to use.

Editing

• Good videos tell a story and have a beginning, middle, and end.

  • Introduction:  explain what the video is about, what you hope to accomplish.

  • Middle:  show your work!

  • Conclusion:  demonstrate your working project and wrap up your own evaluation of the project - what went well, what didn’t, what you might do differently. . . AND ask people to comment on your video or ask you questions. 

• Have a reason for including every clip in your final video. Trim out any clips that don’t add anything.

• Consider adding a voice over to video to explain what is happening.

• You can put together audio that was recorded separately from video for a more succinct video clip. Don’t be afraid to remove original audio from its video if it doesn’t add value to the clip.

• Cutting between a wide shot and a closeup of the action helps make videos flow more smoothly and more clearly demonstrates what the viewer is seeing.

• Editing takes time. The more footage you have, the longer it will take to pare it down to what's important.

• It may helpful to edit as you go, while you're familiar with the steps. Editing as you go will also make it more likely that your edit will be complete by the deadline.

• Use your shot list (the thing you developed during preparation) to help piece the final video together. Start there and add more if there is time remaining.

Terminology:

Voice Over - Recording scripted audio separately, which is then edited and placed over video. Not to be confused with dubbing, voice over is often used to create a commentary of what is being shown on screen.

Time Lapse - A technique whereby the frequency at which film frames are captured (the frame rate) is much lower than that used to view the sequence. When played at normal speed, time appears to be moving faster and thus lapsing. This can be achieved by changing the camera settings at the time of recording, or during the editing process.