10 Tips For Creating 15 Second Video Clips

With the popularity of mobile apps such as Viddy the 15 second video has become a bit of a phenomena. Billed as a video Tweet these short video clips can be a great way to share quick tips or insights. 15 seconds is short enough for people to watch without a second thought and they can be created and edited directly from your mobile phone.

Here’s 10 tips to help you get started with this new fast video format.

1. Framing – Don’t leave too much headroom in your shot. It’s better to cut off the top of the head than have half the frame above it blank.

2. Framing – Make sure your eyes are at eye level to your audience, don’t look up or down at the camera. Psychologically this puts you on a level with your audience.

3. Always, always, always shoot landscape not portrait. Your frame should resemble a TV… wider than it is tall. (Known as Vertical Video Syndrome)

4. Avoid shooting against a bright background or a window. Basic camera phones and video cams will not know how bright to make the shot and you will very often appear dark or in silhouette.

5. Check what is in the background of your shot – is there something coming out of your head?

6. Think about what can you put in the background of your shot to enhance your message – pop up banner, logo?

7. How noisy is it around, try and find quietest spot where you are. Do a test shot to make sure you can be heard over the background noise.

8. Avoid zooming as it enhances camera wobble. Instead of zooming get closer to the subject.

9. Talk your script first. Once you’ve said it out loud a few times write it down, this makes it sound more natural.

10. Time yourself. Think of it like video Tweeting. Eliminate unnecessary words so as not to rush too much into your 15 seconds.