GRAND Magazine - May/June 2019 - 38

tech talk
1. Film in "selfie" and landscape mode.

Turn your phone sideways (landscape mode) and hit the
selfie button. This way you can see yourself as you film. The
camera quality is not quite as good on the selfie side, but you
also will not accidentally cut off your head (I do this all the
time).

2. Stabilize your camera.

Do not hold your camera while you film (unless you're
going for the Blair Witch look). Here's a quick set up: Pile a
stack of books to eye height. Set up another stack of books
right behind it about 5" taller. Place your camera on the
shorter stack and lean it against the taller stack and voila -
the perfect DIY tripod.

3. Lights. Lights. Lights.

Try to film with as much natural light as possible. Film
during the daytime, but don't sit with a window behind
you (you will be completely blacked out). If you have reading lamps, put two of them in front of you at 10:00 and 2:00
and angle them to shine in a crisscross across you. (Think
Broadway debut.)

4. Plan your background.

Not too deep, not too busy, and definitely nothing weird
(like a light switch growing out of your head.). Try a plain wall
with a plant or organized bookshelf. Take a snapshot and
examine it before filming to see what your backdrop will look
like.

38 GRAND

MAY JUNE 2019

5. Project your voice (and beware of
ambient sound).

Click here for a "Video Cheat Sheet"
for you--a printable version of this DIY
beginner's guide to making video. Or,
speaking of the power of video, watch
the video version here, to get started
recording those great stories that are
part of your family lore.

Set your camera up within 3 to 5 feet from you and project
your voice. Farther away and the sound quality will diminish.
Anticipate possible sound interruptions (will your dog bark?
Might arguing kids-or adults-barge into your space?).
And, yes, if an ambulance drives by, you should start over.
Sorry!

6. Be animated!

Express yourself a little livelier than usual to exude more
energy. It's okay to use your hands to make a point, but be
sure to always bring them back to center. That said, do check

nervous moving (like shifting back and forth in a swivel chair
or superfluous fidgeting).

7. Sit at an angle.

For framing, situate yourself just off to the right or left of
center, and then angle yourself slightly toward the center. This
will help you avoid the "deer in the headlights" look. For top
to bottom, your eyes should line up with the top third of your
frame. Leave a little space at the top (so your head is not cut
off) and the bottom cutoff should be about mid-chest. Look
into the camera from here.

8. Draft your content as if it was for
your most kind and caring friend.

Only you know if you need to write out every word, or if
you'll be fine with just an outline. Whichever way, practice
what you will say. If you need notes, print them in BIG type
(18-20 point) and tape it below your camera, so you can see
them while still looking ahead. Pretend like you are talking to
a trusting, caring person who is savoring every word. You have
something that your family needs to know! (And relax. You can
always delete and start over!)

9. Share. Share. Share.

Now that your video is done, how will you share it with
family? You might post to Facebook or send it by email.
There's also dropbox.com, where you can set up a free account
and upload your video for others to see. Perhaps you can
work jointly with your grandchild to set up a YouTube channel-where videos can be public or private, just for family.

Start somewhere.

Video may seem intimidating. But with your love and
authenticity and a cell phone camera, you can create a story
video that is not only good enough, but great!
Deanna Shoss is a marketer, writer, interculturalist
in Chicago. As President and CEO of Intercultural
Talk, Inc. she provides digital, intercultural
and real life marketing for entrepreneurs and
people following their passions post age 50,
who need strategy and know-how to adapt to
new communication technologies. She speaks
Portuguese, Spanish and French and is a certified
Body Pump and group fitness instructor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blair_Witch_Project http://www.dropbox.com https://www.interculturaltalk.com/ https://www.interculturaltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/10-Tips-for-DIY-Video-for-Marketing-Intercultural-Talk.pdf https://www.interculturaltalk.com/ https://youtu.be/_SlPkLl_sUA https://youtu.be/_SlPkLl_sUA

GRAND Magazine - May/June 2019

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