Tips to master the art of making videos and short films

One of the most powerful ways of storytelling is through making videos and short films; especially in recent years, this has gained a lot of popularity. While both of these may appear to look the same there are slight differences worth noting. Video making is nothing but producing short films that may be used for marketing and promotional purposes. On the other hand, short films involve a lot more craft and beautiful shots to tell a story within a limited time limit. 

We live in a digital era where the most preferred way of consuming data is through videos across various platforms. Keep reading because in this article we will deep dive into the world of video making and give you tips and tricks that make you head and shoulders above in this highly contested space. 

The demand for good quality videos has skyrocketed because today there are so many creators who are there in the market due to the rise of social media, online platforms and other streaming services. A good quality video not only captures viewers but also helps the brand stand out in a way like no other, it puts across the message effectively and leaves a lasting impression in the mind of the viewer. No matter, if you are a filmmaker, content creator, or business owner, mastering the art of video making, will take you a long way.

Now let’s see some tips and tricks for top-notch video making: 

  1. Setting up your objective: It is very important that in your head you should be absolutely clear about what will be the objective of the video and what story you want to tell. Identify your target audience, core message and a desired response that you would like to see from them. This will make sure that your video is precise and to the point. 
  2. Planned pre-production: If you want a smooth production process, you will need to plan well. Create a storyboard, finalize the location, arrange the right equipment, and get your team who will be with you throughout the process. 
  3. Correct lighting technique: Often it’s the lighting that sets the mood for your video. You should try to mix up the different types of lighting such as natural lighting, artificial lighting and other lighting setups to find the right combination for you. It takes your work to the next level and shows that it is proper work done by a professional. 
  4. Capture stunning visuals: Use composition techniques such as the rule of thirds, leading lines and symmetry to create visual delight-worthy shots and add in the right background music or sound effect to enhance the overall viewing experience. 
  5. Get your grip on the sound: A highly underestimated skill that has the potential to make a major difference in your video. Invest in good equipment as it will take you a long way. Record clear and crisp sound, and incorporate the right background music or sound effect to make the viewing experience an unforgettable one. 
  6. Integrate visual effects (VFX): Visual effects have the power to take your video to a different dimension, it is simply a mind-blowing technology. It is a combination of different techniques one can use such as CGI (Computer Generated Imagery), motion graphics and composting. All these techniques are really useful to fuse the magic of technology with the magic of storytelling. Check out the top 10 VFX companies in India to leverage the power of VFX.
  7. Enhance your editing skills: Editing plays a major role in shaping the final product. There is a lot of software you can use to add transitions, incorporate visual effects, trim footage and fine-tune the pacing and rhythm of the video. A well-edited video will have good engagement from the audience as well. 
  8. Focus on colour grading: It is a process to enhance or alter the colours in your video during post-production. It impacts the mood of your video and you would be surprised to find out that different colour palettes evokes different emotion or convey a specific theme to the viewer. A well-executed colour grading gives a polished and professional look to your video. 
  9. Give your story a structure: If your video has a clearly defined structure with a clear beginning, middle and end, then you will never lose the attention of your viewer. Don’t worry this is not too boring because you can always use different elements such as conflict, character development and plot twist to always keep your audience engaged. The aim is to keep the audience engaged, from start to finish. 
  10. Keep platform requirements in mind: Every platform has a different set of guidelines and as a creator, you will have to always keep this in mind. Today there are so many platforms yet you will have to keep in mind things like aspect ratio, video length, and file sizes to ensure that your video displays correctly and load quickly.

We all know that the power of video making and short films is huge as it tells stories in the most immersive way and by implementing the above-mentioned tips and tricks you will be able to take your work to the next level. Just remember that the starting point of why you started making videos will be something that you will always know but the ending point, where it can take you, is something that you can only find out when you give it your best shot and no matter the setbacks always get up get filming again. 

So go on shooting the world around you and give your audiences an elevated experience by creating unique, well-planned content with a lot of attention to the details. Embrace the power of this platform and leave your mark on the world by telling stories that are close to your heart and stay connected to your audience at a deeper level but also remember that you live in a world that is always changing so be open to adapt and adjust to the changing needs without ever losing your special touch that sets you apart from everyone else. Go on now and create compelling and visually stunning videos.