Filming on a Phone

Firstly, we have some GREAT mobile video kits that will massively increase the quality of your film footage/audio. Find out more about the Rode Vlogging Kits on Journotech, and book them out on Connect2.

 

As well as booking out the Rode Vlogging Kit, you can follow these tips to get the best out of your mobile whilst creating content:

 

  • SAY NO TO VERTICAL VIDEOS. 



  • Phone cameras do not do well in low light situations. So always film with lots of light otherwise you will  get incredibly grainy footage. You can use the light included in the Rode Vlogging Kit to help light your subject!

  • In addition to this, don’t film in high contrast areas (environments with both lots of very light bits and very dark bits) because phones do not have good dynamic range. The phone will not be able to expose correctly if this is the case.

A photo with lots of contrast showing P1 and the P2 cornerExample of High Contrast Image

 

  • Stability is key with phones as they are small and light. This means they are prone to shaking and jittering even more so than DSLR’s. The Phone Mount included with the Rode Vlogging Kit (yes, I will keep selling you on this) has a Tripod adapter allowing it to be used with our DSLR Tripods! If you don’t have immediate access to a Tripod, film with both hands and keep the phone close to your body.
  • The basic audio from a phone camera is absolutely terrible. Either plug in an external mic (like the one included in the Rode Vlogging Kit!) or use a separate audio recorder like a Tascam DR-40. Remember, for whatever you are doing good audio is an absolute must. People can generally forgive poor video if the audio is great, but they will not forgive poor audio if the video is great. Its the most important thing to get right.

  • Do not use the digital zoom on a phone as it just lowers the resolution of the image. Instead you will have to move closer to the subject.

  • Make sure the focus is kept on the subject. You can do this by tapping on the subject on the phone screen.

  • Light the subject well using nearby windows and light sources. (orrr … use the light included in the Rode Vlogging Kit! Last time I promise). 

  • Make sure the phone’s video recording setting are correct. This means 1080p resolution, 25 fps, and using MP4 or MOV. For some reason some phones use different setting as default which you will not be able to edit with so make sure to check this in the phone settings.

 

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