5 Ways To Make Your Video Look More Professional: Guest Contributor, JT Healy

#TheGroundFloor is thrilled to welcome guest contributor, JT Healy , for this throwback edition! Click here to read the original blog from May 19, 2020.

JT was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and still refers to it as home. Growing up in the Fox Chapel area, JT and I knew each other since we were very young (because everyone in Fox Chapel knows each other). The name may sound familiar because JT’s brother, Tom Healy , is my mentor and has been like a brother to me.

After staying close to home and attending Washington & Jefferson College, JT boldly moved across the country to Scottsdale, AZ. He has worked in various roles in diverse industries but has always been passionate about creating and capturing memories. Fast forward 6 years and many YouTube tutorials, online training courses, and being thrown into the fire, he has started his side hustle. JT Healy Media has become a passion project where he produces, films and edits videos ranging from wedding celebrations to corporate culture videos.?

I am excited to welcome JT to #TheGroundFloor as he provides our FIRST-EVER video blog! Are you into video editing but struggle to make your videos go from “good” to “great”? This blog is for you!

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Video is king! Or so they are saying...

Anyone can make a video these days, but not everyone is maximizing their quality. It is true that you no longer need access to a big fancy camera or thousands of dollars worth of equipment, but when it comes to making a professional video, there are some things you need to know first.

Full transparency – I am not saying, “If you follow these tips, you will have an Oscar-winning video,” but LITTLE ADJUSTMENTS can make a video professional without all the fancy equipment and an in-home studio.

Here are five ways to make your videos look more professional

1.???? Evaluate Your Environment

Clean and tidy is the name of the game. Ensure you are removing those old coffee cups and anything else distracting from your video. A great way to test this is to record yourself as practice and check the recording before starting. The last thing you want to do is deliver a perfect 20-minute pitch only to find yourself staring at your dog chewing on a bone in the background.

Speaking of distractions, control your environment as much as possible. If you have the ability to record inside, make sure others around you are aware that you are recording. Consider putting out a sign letting your coworkers or family at home know that you are in video mode. This has been extremely helpful for me in the office as we have 70+ employees walking past our conference room constantly. The more aware they are that we are recording, the better.

When it comes to selecting a background, you have many choices- and there really is only one wrong one, DIRECTLY INTO THE SUNLIGHT. Just don’t do it. It will cause your video to be grainy and distract from the main subject, YOU.

Which brings me to my next point…?

2.???? Understand Your Lighting

This is arguably the most important concept to understand, but it is often the most neglected. When you have a poorly lit video, it is a true indication of AMATEUR HOUR. To prevent this impression, consider the time of day. Typically, you want to record early in the morning or around sunset. This is to avoid the harsh light that may make you squint and cause a “blowout.” Think back to the last wedding you attended. Notice how the photos were taken during “golden hour.” This is when the light is diffused and less harsh, which is important for removing shadows. When you record mid-day, you end up squinting and often have a face full of shadows due to the sun's angle.

If you have the ability to record inside, put a light (I recommend a key light) directly behind the camera facing you. This will allow you to be the focal point and stand out from the background instead of the background standing out from you. Try to use white light, and if that is unavoidable, keep the light temperatures consistent. Too much variance in light will affect the quality of the image.

If you don’t have these options available, then window light is the answer. Just position the window before you and steal some light that way. This is great for when a random thought or inspiration for a video comes into your head and you do not have the time to set it up. Just hit record and let it roll.?

3.???? Test Your Camera Angles

My own personal pet peeve! Given the popularity of Zoom calls, this has become increasingly important. Think back to your last Zoom meeting or your last Facetime with a loved one; remember that white space from the top of your head to the screen. Yeah, DON’T DO THAT.

Make sure you are at eye level and talking through the lens. If you are using a laptop or webcam, consider elevating it. You can use books stacked up or on a shelf. Do not worry. No one will ever know.?

It is important to know that your eyes prefer symmetry, and when you see something that is not symmetrical, the perception of quality decreases. You should be able to draw a grid on your video and have your eyes intersect with the top line, much like below.

4.???? Know Your Audio

Audio comes down to two major things: having proper music and high-quality audio recording. If you haven’t already, please check out the video in this blog demonstrating the differences between various audio sources.

Proper music involves choosing the right emotion that you want to capture. For example, Metal goes better with action videos, not romantic ones like wedding videos.?

Outside of the sources I have already listed, one way you can increase your audio quality is to have the microphone or recording device close to you. The closer the mic, the less likely you are to pick up ambient or background sounds from your environment (things such as an air conditioner, your children playing, etc.)

Lastly, what is helpful for me when recording at work is to put a sign in the hallway indicating we are recording. This makes coworkers aware that they should limit noise and, if possible, completely avoid entering the area.?

5.???? Write a Script or Outline

Even the most advanced public speakers still prepare before they go on stage. When you prepare, you are more confident cutting down on awkward pauses and filler words.? With a script, you have control over exactly how things are said because it is how you envisioned them while writing it.

I highly recommend using a teleprompter. You can display this on your laptop or screen behind the camera, and remember to keep eye contact if you must.?

If you weren’t taking notes, I have included a Pre-Filming Checklist that you can download and use for your next video. Let me know how it goes!

Happy filming!

- JT

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Thank you, JT, for being a guest contributor for #TheGroundFloor!

I am always looking to welcome guest contributors to #TheGroundFloor! If you are interested in writing or have a specific topic you’d like to discuss, please contact me!

- Andrew Exler