Last week, along with a few million other users, I got my new iPhone. One of the features I’m most excited about are the new video capabilities–particularly iMovie.
I think being able to shoot, edit, and upload videos on the fly is a real game changer for small businesses and solo-preneurs. I envision users creating video training, promotions, and real-time communications. After playing with iMovie this past weekend, I’ve come across 5 key tips to help take your iPhone videos to the next level.
This 8-minute video demonstrates the 5 tips and concludes with a summary completely shot & edited on the iPhone.
The 5 key tips to take your iPhone video to the next level are:
1. Use lots of short videos
2. Add bumper graphics
3. Kill Ken Burns (effect)
4. Export to iPhoto
5. Create a self-portrait boom
There you have it, 5-key tips to improve your iPhone videos. What are your tips? Share with me your iPhone video creations in the comments too. I can’t wait to see ‘em.
Great tips. I especially like the one about pre-creating bumpers.
Thanks!
–Steve
Just glad to be able to return a tip your way. I’ve gotten so much from you it’s the least I can do.
Thank you, Scott. I’m so glad that you made this so easy. I will be recommending this video, for sure!
I didn’t think of using Keynote for the bumpers… such a great way to make it simple.
Glad the bumpers part helped. Make sure you sync your iPhone with the iPhoto event or album. That way the images are in your iPhone and ready to be included into your iPhone videos. It’s a great way to enhance your videos in the field.
Add a wired lapel mic, and your audio will be excellent as well. The Apple earphones/mic can work wonderfully. Just pin it to your shirt (don’t wear the earbuds – bit more professional).
Great tip!. Audio is so crucial to good video.
I’ve tried my current batch of mic’s and can’t get either Audio-Technica mic to work. I’ve got a smaller plug-in mic that DOES work but I’m not sure the gain is that significant. I’d love to find either a wired or wireless mic that works well with the iPhone. The cord would have to be pretty long though. I’m not sure the regular Apple earphones/mic is long enough.
The challenge I see with this is doing self-recording (i.e., having the camera on one’s self) in HD quality. The rep at the Apple Store I went to explained that the camera on the back of the iPhone (which would allow me to see myself while I am recording), does NOT do HD quality video like the camera on the front of the iPhone does. These tips are great, just its a challenge for me to recommend it to my clients who aren’t on Macs (like I am).
Grant,
You’re correct the front facing camera (the one on the same side as the screen) does NOT shoot 16:9 HD video. The front camera shoots 4:3 640×480 video. I too noticed this when playing with it this past weekend. I find it very helpful to be able to “see” myself when shooting because it helps you frame the shot. The backside camera, the one on the flip side of the screen, DOES shoot HD video. But you’re correct, you can’t see yourself when you’re talking towards that camera.
I do think with a little practice we’ll all get better at framing ourselves though. If you move the camera away a bit, either with your arm or more preferably with an extender, it’s a bit more forgiving. I know it took a couple of takes myself so I think practice is key.
Great Vid , Scott ,,
even though I dont have a Iphone 4, yet .. ( end of july canada ) I’ll have this video for reference ..
jp
Nice Tips To use iPhone
Thanks.
Santhosh