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INTRODucTIONHello and welcome to clipflip. We know that you’re anxious to start producing some videos, but before you begin filming, let’s quickly go through the basics.

Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, we recommend highly that you check out some clipflip example videos on our website. By doing this, you can quickly gather an idea about the kind of videos we are after in terms of both style and content.

Before you begin shooting your first clipflip video, you need to get a quick idea of the basics of filming. Put simply, the key is recognizing that there are two important areas that need to be considered:

1. PREPRODUCTION2. PRODUCTION

As you would think, “Preproduction” covers the things you do before you start filming, such as choosing your topic, preparing your set (background, props etc.) and so on.

“Production”, meanwhile, is everything that happens after you have hit the record button. This is there-fore the more technical side of your shoot, and involves camera movement, image quality, framing, lighting and sound.

Now that we have a basic understanding of the production process as a whole, let’s take a closer look at how both areas can be applied together.

More can be found on our film-school. [http://www.clipflip.com/film-school]

send a mail to [email protected] or visit us at www.facebook.com/clipflipapp... need help?

PRePRODucTIONTOPICOne of the first steps to finding the right topic when making your clipflip video is to do something you know. Everyone has a passion, or an interest that they can talk about. Try to find some aspects of that hobby or passion that can work on film. Try to think outside the box and explore different areas of your interest that stand out. Even something like reading can be fun and interesting if you approach the idea in a fun and unique way.

SETSets are the most important part to any film. When watching a Hollywood movie and you see a bank robbery, you presume it will be in a city or town. If it was in the middle of the jungle you would feel confused. This is the same when filming your video. Try to film somewhere relative to the subject.

When you can, try to keep the background monotone and as empty of detail as possible. Not only does this make your shot look better aesthetically, especially if the color of your background contrasts nicely with your subject.

The set has to be clean, and tidy. Everything you want to have in the shot has to be there for a reason. When watching a documentary in the South Pole, you imagine it to be white and clear and beautiful. You don’t expect to see a laptop sat on the ice by a polar bear.


PRePRODucTIONPROBSGenerally, you want to work only with clean sets and with clean hands. You will also need to make sure all your props are in good condition.

When it comes to props, you can really let your creativity fly. For example, do you want to make a video about a dog but you don’t own one? Then draw one or make one out of clay.

Only use props that will enhance your video. Do not go crazy just because its your video.


PRODucTIONNow that you are ready to shoot, let’s talk a bit more about “Production”. This is where all the preproduction planning comes together. At this point you should have a topic you feel confident in, a set that is clean and well lit, and all the props needed to make a great clipclip video.

CAMERAOne of the main problems that clipflip video producers encounter is finding ways to keep their camera steady when filming. Although it is always good to have a friend help you make your video, it is almost impossible to keep a camera steady by hand.

It is possible to buy a smartphone tripod adapter to help you with your filming, and, if you have the funds, we do recommend you do this. However, you can also just as easily make your own tripod with everyday household items. For shots that require a specific angle, you can even make your own “stand” out of a paperclip as demonstrated in our “Filmschool” video available on our website. [http://www.clipflip.com/film-school]

For straightforward shots that don’t require any camera movement, you can simply place your smartphone on a flat surface and get a friend to press the record button. This also works if you need some “overhead” shots, as you can use a table edge to keep the camera steady. If you need your camera to pan around at all, you can get a friend to hold the smartphone on the back of an office chair and “spin” accordingly. This will make for a much smoother shot than if someone simply does it by hand.

SCENESFor some subjects, one simple straight-on shot will be enough to clearly illustrate your point. But remember that your audience is not with you in the room, so having your subject filmed from various angles will give the viewer a much better understanding of the topic at hand.

To effectively cut between different angles on the subject, you will need to use the pause function. For more info on how to use this function, see our video on Clipflip.com called ‘Using The App’.


PRODucTIONThE BEAUTy ShOTAnother important aspect of making a good how-to video is the “beauty shot” at the end. This is where you show the finished product looking as good as possible. Pay close attention to your lighting, make sure the set is clean and that the subject is framed perfectly in the center of the shot. It helps to understand that the point of the beauty shot is not only to clearly show the finished product, but also to make people want to do it.


TAKe AWAY POINTS


uSe AN

INTeReSTINg

TOPIc

PLAN YOuR VIDeO

uSe A SeNSIBLe LOcATION

cLeAN AND cONcISe SeT

STeADY cAMeRA SHOTSgOOD LIgHTINg

cLeAR SOuND

WHAT’S IN SHOT

IS THeRe FOR

A ReASON

ReMeMBeR - TAKe YOuR TIMe

Clipflip Gmbh · hohe Bleichen 21 · 20354 hamburgTElEPHONE +49 (0) 40 800 052 973 · FAx +49 (0) 40 800 052 999

E-MAIl [email protected] · WEB www.clipflip.com

clipflip

Documents

clipflip video

clipflip example videos

basics of filming

set background

important areas

quick idea

clean sets

clean hands