With this StoryBox checklist you are well prepared for your shoot!
Preparation for filming
Plan storyboard & content
Develop a clear concept and schedule for your video. This will help you stay structured and ensure that no important points are forgotten.
Prepare the testimonial
Ideally, your testimonial will not know what to expect until the day of filming. Give him/her reassurance on the day of filming by giving clear instructions and encouraging feedback. Make sure that the person feels comfortable and understands what they are supposed to say.
Check location & equipment
- Choose the location carefully: It should be quiet, well-lit and without distracting elements in the background.
- Make sure that the equipment is ready for use and charged if necessary (tripod, microphone, ring light, gimbal, etc.).
- Don't forget to bring a bottle of water or something to powder your testimonial with.
Choose the best time to shoot
- Also choose the time of your shoot carefully. Before or after opening hours ensures more peace and quiet and less disruption during the shoot.
- The time of day has an influence on the natural lighting conditions (daylight is always better than artificial light).
- Find out in advance what restrictions your testimonials have in terms of scheduling.Ideally, you should also have a time slot in which you have as little time pressure as possible so that you can record 1-2 more takes if in doubt.
During filming
Pay attention to details in the background
Check whether there are any distracting objects (e.g. a fire extinguisher) or distracting elements in the background and remove them before filming.
Check the light
Make sure that the light sources are optimally positioned and that the person being filmed is evenly lit. If necessary, adjust the light using the aperture setting in the app.
Ensure sound
Use an external microphone to ensure clear audio quality. Avoid background noise.
Framing & positioning
- Make sure that the person is in the center of the frame and is filmed at eye level.
- The person being filmed should look directly into the camera to create a stronger connection with the viewer.
- Plan animations or lower thirds: If you want to use text inserts or animations, take this into account when composing the image to prevent text or graphics from being placed on the person's face.
Plan several takes per scene so that you can choose the best take later.Let the person being filmed pause for 1-2 seconds after starting the recording before they start speaking.
This makes it easier to trim later and gives room for effects and transitions. At the end, the recording should also run for 1-2 seconds after the last sentence before stopping.
After filming
Trimming & cutting
Trim out unwanted parts of the video and put the scenes in the desired order. Remove the unnecessary pauses at the beginning and end of each scene to make the video precise and smooth. However, do not trim too short if you want to use effects such as scene transitions, as these overlap the scenes that meet.
Apply light correction & filters
Optimize lighting conditions where necessary and apply filters to improve visual aesthetics.
Design scene transitions
Use smooth transitions to support the flow of the video and avoid abrupt cuts.
Add animations & effects
Use effects such as cinema mode, speed adjustments or B-rolls to make the video more dynamic and appealing.
Select and customize music
Select music that enhances the mood of the video. After the first rendering, you can check the music and adjust or change it if necessary.