Tip Sheet
VIDEO RECORDING WITH A SMARTPHONE
Do’s & Don’ts for video recording
Planning
• Block enough time for your recording session
• Decide on your backdrop
• Charge battery - Bring power adapter / charger
• Correspond with interviewees regarding video release and clothing to avoid
• Send a copy of question to interviewee in advance of the interview
Things to tell interviewee
• Dress appropriately. Some tips: don’t wear stripes, or a turtleneck, or bright colors, or a white top. Pastel or
other light colored clothing look best on tape. Leave noisy jewelry off, and keep jewelry small and simple.
• When recording, keep your body movements to a
minimum to avoid distracting the viewer.
• Speak clearly, enunciate.
• Sign a release form authorizing participation to create
audio-visual recording.
For Interview Recording
• Familiarize yourself with the questions you plan to ask
• Location:
o Avoid windows or direct sunlight in camera view
o Avoid noisy machines, humming lights (if possible)
o Minimize interruptions (close doors? put up a
“RECORDING” sign)
• Framing:
o Camera at eye level (think of camera as YOUR eyes
looking at subject)
o Subject framed off center, looks across center at
interviewer (not at camera)
o Leave ~5% headroom.
o Check what’s behind subject - “Anything sticking out of
their head?”
• Lighting: some shadows are good, but direct sunlight is not
good behind the subject
• Check memory for recording time available
• Interviewer:
o Speak clearly & quietly, enunciate - Your voice is recorded louder than interviewee
o Refrain from making any noises such as acknowledgement, etc. Being close to the microphone, your
noises will be much louder than speech from the interviewee
o Don’t interrupt, or cut in. Allow interviewee to complete sentence. Instead wait for an opening in the
conversation before asking your next question
o Pause for a few secs after interviewee is done with answering before proceeding to the next question
o Log your good and bad takes for a better editing experience
B-Roll
• If an edited version is needed, be sure to shoot supporting activities and images that can be cut away to
between primary clips and which help tell the story.
• Keep your smartphone (or your body) steady against a stationary object (e.g. wall) when shooting. (see
steadicam-like devices)
!
[Thanks to Domenico Anatrone for creating and sharing this material]
iPhone Video Recording Apps
• Camera (Apple’s built in still and
video recorder)
• Camera Plus Pro
($2 advanced
re
cording features, considered
essential app)
•
Professional Camera
($2
exceptional features, early version)
• ProCamera
($3
best alternative to
the essential app)
Android Video Recording Apps
• Spy Video Recorder (free)
• Spy Video Recorder Pro ($1.50)
• Secret Video Recorder
(free
-
5 star
CNET review)
• Secret Video Recorder
Pro ($9
-
5 star
CNET review)
• Video Recorder / Vi
d
eo Camera
(free-
2.8 stars review)
• XC Spy Vi
deo Recorder ($1.36
-
4 star
review)
