How to shoot high-quality smartphone videos in 5 easy steps

Start with the basics:

• write a script
• create a shotlist and storyboard
• assemble your people and prepare your equipment
• assemble your props and location

Also make sure your smartphone has enough power and storage.

When framing your shot, try to avoid using the zoom function, as this will reduce the quality of your video and make the image look more pixelated. Instead, move your camera closer to your subject.

• avoid messy and confusing backgrounds and try to get the background to enhance the story
• keeping your camera movements smooth is key to making your video look more professional
• use your smartphone’s video optical image stabilisation to reduce shakiness
• invest in a tripod or gimbal if you can to make sure your moving shots are as smooth as they can be
• try not to cut off peoples’ arms and legs at the joints and place the subject you want your viewers to pay attention to using the rule of thirds

A tip to help your composition is to turn on your gridlines on your smartphone or camera.

Most people will tolerate bad video over bad sound – if you have a great-looking video but with poor sound quality your video will not be useable.

The quality of the built in microphone in smartphones is almost always low, so if you can, invest in an external recording device or microphone. Otherwise, use an extra smartphone as an external microphone and place this closer to the subject to drown out any unwanted noise.

If you’re shooting in daytime, make as much use of natural lighting as possible. Shoot with your camera shooting away from the sun or window and place your actors in the spill of the natural light.

If you’re shooting at night-time and don’t have extra lights, see if you can use table lamps to illuminate your subjects.

While the editing process happens after you’ve finished your shoot, think about how you’re going to edit your footage together while you’re still shooting. Filming a shot of the same subject or actor from different angles and distances will give you plenty of choice in your edit and will make your film look more professional.

Having a neat and well-paced edit, as well as adding finishing touches such as music, text or transitions, will improve the quality of your video.

Develop these essential skills with the BFI’s courses delivered in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

For more information and to book, please visit the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s courses page.