I've gotten a lot of questions about how I shoot and edit my videos, so I thought it would be helpful to have a little FAQ here.
How did You Set Up Your Website?
Having a fast, clean-looking website helps people find your content more easily. These are the tools I use to make that happen:
- Theme - I'm currently using the Foodie Pro theme from Feast. It's a fast, clean, and easy to customize WordPress theme.
- Hosting - A good host is critical, and I can't recommend Big Scoots, the host I use, enough. Their speeds are fast, and so is their customer service. They also perform fresh installations of WordPress, optimize them, secure them, and so forth. Meaning Big Scoots can help you start from scratch!
- Tech Support - Having a tech support person isn't required, but it's a very nice-to-have. I have a monthly plan with iMark Interactive, which includes 5 support requests per month. The requests include any small job, like minor design tweaks or addressing technical issues.
How do you shoot your videos?
When I first started shooting video, I filmed all of my videos on my iPhone on a table set up underneath a sunny window. It worked fine, but a better camera and controlled lighting make a big difference!
Here is the equipment I use now:
- Canon 80D - This camera has a lot of power for the price. It shoots both still images and video, and I use it for almost all of my shooting.
- K&F Concept Tripod - The overhead arm on this tripod is easy to use, and it works great for both still images and video.
- Mountdog Softbox Light Kit - This light is perfect for mimicking the "sunny window effect". It's much more affordable than my other lights, but it's also the one I use most. Win win!
- Etekcity Diffuser - I clamp this to a cheap tripod and place it in front of the Mountdog light, if I need lighting that's a bit softer.
- Bi-Fold Foam Board - This cheap piece of white foam board goes opposite the Mountdog light to help fill in shadows.
For my talking videos, I have a couple of other fun items:
- Mountdog Backdrop Support Stand - This is a big frame that you can attach vinyl backdrops to. Perfect if your room is messy, but you want a clean background for your videos.
- Allenjoy Vinyl Backdrop - These backdrops are affordable and look great on camera. They do arrive folded, so you need to press them. I used my steamer to get the creases out.
How do you shoot overhead?
When I was shooting on my phone, I used a special tripod called an Overhead Pro. You can use the discount code Glue&GlitterReader at checkout for $10 off.
You can use it to do stable overhead shots with your phone or camera, and the retractable arm lets you move the camera closer to or further away from the tripod base.
If you're wanting to shoot video with a regular camera, the Overhead Pro's phone holder unscrews, so you can screw in a regular camera for still or video shots. I found that the arm of the Overhead Pro didn't do great with the added weight of my Canon 80D, so for camera shoots, I use the K&F Concept Tripod
How do you edit your videos?
I edit my videos in Final Cut Pro, though you don't have to buy expensive software to edit your videos, if you don't want to.
Before getting Final Cut, I edited in iMovie, which comes free on your Mac. There are limited options, but as long as you're keeping things simple, it should do everything that you need it to do.
Where do you find your music?
YouTube has a library of free music, and you can sort by license. Make sure that you choose the correct license.
If you're planning to monetize, for example, then only choose songs that include monetization in the rights. Some artists also want credit, so be sure you give that to them, where it applies.
