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Filming on a mobile device

Introduction to filming on a mobile device Links to an external site.

There's no rule book but here are some solid tips for filming a simple, good-quality video with a mobile device or handycam:


1. Use a tripod

Mobile phone with the camera function activated, attached to a tripod

Attaching your device to a tripod will ensure your video is steady. You'll need a tripod obviously - a small one suitable for a still camera will work fine. You'll also need an attachment which will enable your device to connect to your tripod. These are not expensive and can be purchased from electronics stores. 


2. Make sure your video is level

Slanted mobile phone with the camera function activated     Close-up of the spirit level indicator on a tripod

Generally your video needs to be level. Checking what your image looks like and using your judgment is a perfectly good way to make sure your video is level. If what's on your LED screen looks crooked, adjust the length of your tripod's legs so what you're about to record looks straight.

Your tripod may have a spirit level. If it does, make sure your device is level by getting the bubble into the middle of the circle.  


3. Make sure that everything you need to capture is included on your screen

A person cut off the edge of the screen. A red cross denotes that this is a bad thing to do     A mobile phone attached to a tripod, filming a lecture with the lecturer completely in the frame. A blue tick denotes that this is a good thing to do.

If you're recording a presentation from start to finish and your device is near the presenter, there is a good chance they may walk 'off-screen' which will feel awkward for your audience. The safest thing to do is to position the device at the back of the room, or at least a few rows back, and make sure that the whole space the presenter may walk into appears on your screen before you hit record.


4. Capture good sound!

Two people, one holding a tape measure to the camera, the other holding a sign that says one metre away.     A hand holding a mobile phone with a sound measuring application activated

Capturing good sound is very important. Either put the device about a metre away from the speaker or presenter, or put a recording device on them. Mobile phones can be used to record sound. Locate or download a dictation app and hit record, then drop it in the speaker's pocket.

If you record using two devices (one for video and the other for sound) you'll need to synchronize the two recordings, i.e. match the sound with the video, in your edit. 


5. Check your lighting!

A mobile phone filming a person who is almost in silhouette due to poor lighting. A red cross denotes that this is a bad thing to do.     A mobile phone filming a person who is well lit. A blue tick denotes that this is a good thing to do.

Make sure that anyone on screen is not back-lit by a window and turned into a silhouette. This is a common mistake. The safest way around it is to put the window behind the camera so that the light falls onto the faces of the people you're videoing.

If your shot looks grainy or dark, get more light to your device by opening curtains, switching lights on, or moving to a better-lit environment.