We are removing our scientist hats and putting on our producer hats to develop short science demonstration videos.
The goal of this blog is for you to walk away with basic production theory to produce a good-quality video using your phone as the camera.
As you take on the role of the producer, it is important to assess the audio and visual goals of the videos and their feasibility before starting production.
Thinking about the limitations of production can help create realistic expectations for the final products. High-quality videos can still be achieved through budget-friendly setups if you apply production theory to their videos.
Four key elements must be considered for optimal video production: set, framing, light, and sound (Castillo, 2020).
Recommended Equipment
Smartphone or DSLR camera
Desk Lamp, floor lamp, and/or ring light
Room with a window
Production Elements
🪴 Set Design
The backdrop of your video sets the stage, tone, and “vibe” of the video. Being that we are making demo videos for a young audience, the room you choose to film in ideally would be bright and inviting.
There is a misconception that since we are making a science video, that the background needs to be all science-y. It ultimately depends how you’re trying to be perceived and who you are trying to invite in to do the science.
Where to film your video:
In a well-lit room with windows or bright lighting
In front of a wall or backdrop with minimal distractions
Careful with objects behind the subject that would pull the viewers’ attention away from the purpose of the video.
backdrops could include poster boards, plain fabric, or in front of minimal decor.
Room with minimal echo
carpets, blankets, and rugs can help reduce echo.
recording with a lapel mic rather than a camera’s mic.
If you’re filming outside
Avoid places with high foot traffic.
Avoid places with loud background noise (i.e., cars, yelling, barking, etc.)
Avoid filming at noon time as the sun is directly overhead, which may form harsh lighting and dramatic shadows
🖼️ Framing
What is the focus of the video? For a chemistry demo, it will either be you or the demo. You can be creative with the shots, but make sure the subject is in focus, clear, and appearing in frame.
Rule of Thirds
Using the rule-of-thirds grid on your phone to guide you in creating a well balanced shot. This grid breaks up the frame into three equal parts, both vertically and horizontally. The main subject of the frame should ideally be placed where the lines intersect to direct focus. In the bottom examples, since the focus is a still shot of one person, the subject is placed in the center of the frame.
Note, the rule-of-thirds is more of a guideline and not a hard rule.
Types of shots
Wide Shot: best for capturing you + demo
Set the camera up so you are in the center of the frame, captured from the waist up with some headspace.
Place the tripod and camera far enough away so that whatever you are performing your demonstration, the demo is in the frame, too.
Close-up Shot: best for showing details
The focal point are the elements of the demo and the actual experiment being taught.
Medium Shot: best for talking head
The focal point is the speakers, so make sure they are centered in the frame from the hips or belly up with some headspace.
Overhead Shot: best for showing action from top-down
The focal point are the elements of the demo and the actual experiment being taught.
💡Lighting
Lighting is key to making high-quality videos. With the right lighting, it is difficult for viewers to discern between a phone camera and a professional camera.
Setting up your light
Place the camera such that the light source (window or light stand) is ∼45° off-axis.
Take advantage of windows and natural light!
Keep in mind that it will be difficult to build consistency with natural lighting across multiple filming days.
✍️ Lighting follows the inverse-square law: the closer the subject is to the light source, the more drastic the light level or intensity change will be on the subject. As the light source is moved farther away from the subject, the drop in light level based on the distance from the light source is dramatically reduced, allowing softer diffused light to hit the subject. Additionally, the larger the light source, the softer and more flattering the light will be on the subject.
If there is no access to windows or natural,
how does the room’s lighting look on camera?Overhead and fluorescent lighting can be unflattering. Turn off room lights and use additional light sources such as lamps and ring lights.
Place additional light sources off-axis, following the inverse-square law.
If you’re using multiple light sources, ensure the lights' temperatures are the same.
If you’re filming outside
Aim to film when it is not the brightest as that can create harsh lighting and shadows
Aim to film in a shaded area and that the camera is in the shade too or you’ll be capturing a shadow
Do not film with the light or sun is behind the subject or it will be backlit and you will be filming a shadow.
Aim to have the sunlight be lighting the subject directly or indirectly to the side.
🔈 Sound
Nothing ruins a video like bad audio. Since we are capturing a demo, we are often a few feet away from our camera which dampens or echos our voice. It’s best to use an external mic, such as a clip on lapel, to selectively capture your voice and reduce background noise.
Clip the lapel mic on the border of your shirt so that it is close to your chest and underneath your chin.
When wearing a lapel mic, make sure the cable is tucked into your shirt so the mic is the only thing seen.
Remove neck jewelry and noisy clothes to reduce chances of friction and scuffling.
Test to make sure your camera is picking up your audio from the mic.
If you’re filming outside
Avoid filming while it’s windy or in the path of the wind
💁 On-camera Presence
Reminder, remember who your audience is and how we are trying to invite them into the video. Stand up tall, speak confidently, and look directly into the camera
Tips
Read your script out loud and change any phrases or words that are difficult to say. Write how you will naturally speak!
While reading out loud, practice putting in inflections and pauses to help with pacing
It’s ok for multiple takes! First time may be weird or awkward, but try to put ego aside and keep trying.
If remembering a lot of lines is difficult, try filming a sentence at a time or have a large notecard or computer screen behind the camera at eye-line to function as a teleprompter.
Remember you can edit mistakes out or good takes together!
Recording Your Video
Check List
[ ] Is your room well lit?
[ ] Does your backdrop have minimal distractions and noise?
[ ] Is your subject in frame?
[ ] Does your audio sound good?
[ ] Make sure you’re recording!
Setting Up
Fasten your smartphone into the adapter and attach it to the tripod
Place the tripod between where you will be standing and your light source. Make sure the light source is off-axis and illuminating the subject.
Adjust the tripod up so that the camera is at eye eye-level.
Now open up your camera app and prepare to record.
Set the camera up so that the subject is in the center of the frame.
Clip the lapel mic to the top of your shirt so that it rests on your chest below your chin.
Connect the lapel mic to your phone and ensure that it is set to capture your phone's audio.
Adjust your lighting and record a test shot to ensure you and your audio are captured well. If more light is needed, use additional light sources.
When you are ready, start recording.
Give a few seconds before to start talking and after the clip in silence.
Look directly into the camera and speak clearly.
No shame in multiple takes.
Once you're done recording, review the footage.
Save the video to your camera roll and upload it to your computer or app of choice!
Resources
Phone apps for recording & editing
InShot Video
Spark Camera
Adobe Rush
Splice - Video Editor & Maker
Adobe Spark
Websites for recording & editing:
Canva
Animaker
Explain Everything
Kapwing
Scribe
Stop Motion Studio
Desktop apps:
Powerpoint
iMovie Quicktime
Zoom
Riverside
Camtasia
Premiere Pro