​How to create and provide us with great footage for the Community Voices Project:

TIP #1: Check your camera settings
  • We ideally want you shooting footage at the best resolution for you phone/camera.
  • 4k at 24fps is the best option; or at a minimum 1080p at 24fps. 
  • Some slow-motion footage would be good to have too so check those settings as well--1080p at 120fps is ideal.​
TIP #2: Keep the camera at eye level
  • When talking into the camera hold it at eye level.
  • Having the camera held in your hand or sitting on a table below eye level creates shots that are a bit awkward.​
TIP #3: Keep the camera stable
  • When shooting your b-roll set the phone/camera on a rock or a bench or anything stable.
  • Don't run with the camera to get footage that's way too bouncy (unless you have a GoPro HERO7 or HERO8 or a gimbal).
  • But you don't need anything fancy just set your camera down and run past it a few times in a variety of place and a variety of angles.

TIP #4: Your face should be looking into the sun/light when you're filming yourself
  • Whether you are doing your interview footage or your b-roll the person who is being filmed(yourself or if your filming someone else) should be facing into the sun or light source.
  • When shooting your interview, if you're doing it inside, shoot it during the day and face towards a window with good sunlight coming in. 
  • You don't want footage with faces in shadows or with a bright light or the sun behind them. ​
TIP #5: Shoot horizontally, not vertically
  • Hold your phone/camera horizontally, this way the video footage will be more wide than it is tall.
  • Just because you can get more of your shot when holding it vertically don't worry about that, the horizontal footage is going to look better on computer and tv screens because they are more wide than tall. Just trust us, thanks! ​
TIP #6: Shoot your interview footage before your b-roll footage
  • When you have thought in advance about what you're going to say your interview will flow more freely and natural.
  • Once you've done that listen to what you said and try to find footage that will go along with what you were talking about in your interview.

TIP #7: Keep it simple and don't over do it
  • All you need is camera/phone.
  • You don't need a tripod or a gimbal or anything fancy.
  • Just send us everything you've got.
  • No need to edit it, no filters, just send it to us raw. ​​



​Header photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash