Blog Updated: Tips for making a Great Video

Originally posted in 2016, we felt it was time to update our blog, ‘Tips for Making a Great Video‘ which can be read here.

It’s amazing how technology and the passage of time can change so quickly. When this blog was originally written in 2016 the advice very much stemmed from encouraging users to maximise the use of their screen on their device for viewers pleasure and shoot video in landscape (sideways) mode.

Since 2016, particularly with the increase in apps using portrait video i.e Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts and others, it is increasingly relevant to shoot videos in Portrait (vertical mode) so they will display properly on these apps.

In some cases it seems hardware manufacturers have yet to catch up, as a lot of phone mounts and holders still favour landscape shooting mode and haven’t been designed to be used in portrait mode so easily. Although I have noticed rapidly decreasing prices for these products as they are replaced with newer versions that do both well.

I write this very much with Joby Gorrillapods in mind – so just be careful if you are choosing to buy these. Ensure you choose models with the right mount/head to allow you to shoot portrait easily. I have also experienced earlier models of DJI Osmo’s that do not handle portrait mode particularly well with larger smartphones.

As if to emphasise my point you’ll notice by default a lot of the product photography promoting these products shows devices in landscape mode and not all products allow portrait mode.

Another element of the original blog that needed updating evolves around authenticity.

In the original blog we mentioned ensuring your video’s are shot ‘to the highest quality’ and edited with precision and clear titles.

In recent times the trend is very much towards authenticity. With it we have seen an increase in hard, fast and sometimes roughly edited videos on influencer platforms. Of course, super large brands create a fine balance between genuinity and fine editing skills to make us believe they are created by ‘kids on the street’, when they actually spend millions creating that look.

On the flipside there are millions of influencers with huge fanbases, my daughter Ami is one of them, creating videos on the fly where real authenticity, honesty and integrity are key to their success.

And this is a real seed change as far as the production of video is concerned.

Most recently it is more important for brands/influencers to be authentic, real, honest and offer integrity, ahead of producing slick, beautifully edited videos that cost the earth to make.

Of course if you can achieve both you are in content heaven.

Read our blog ‘Tips for Making a Great Video’ here.