If you want to get better at video making, check out this article for four top tips.
Be it if you fly a drone, FPV wing or just normal everyday Flite Test foamies, if you're looking to share videos of your RC hobby this article is for you. Making a video that's engaging, interesting, informative and (most importantly) conveys your passion for the RC hobby to the viewer isn't an easy task. It's sometimes just plain difficult. So, here's are four bite-sized pieces of advice to help you out. You won't need to buy anything, you can simply up your game with the gear you already have and a few new skills.
Keep it simple
Use what you have. If you don't have a big camera capable of fancy 4K video, just use your phone. If you don't have a tripod, simply place your phone on a pile of books whilst shooting a tutorial. Don't worry about fancy studio lights, just shoot by a nice big window during the day.
Some videos you can shoot solely on an old GoPro
Here's the thing: you don't need a $1000 camera setup. Some of the best RC videos are shot with a GoPro taped to a plane and flown through some impossibly small spaces; it's all about the content not all about the gear. Try not to take lots of gear to the field either - keep it simple. Bring one camera and one aircraft at first. This way, you can focus on flying rather than setting everything up and remembering to turn on five seperate cameras.
This classic Charpu video uses just one camera
Using music and sound
Finding music is difficult, but the YouTube Audio Library can help. These tunes are all royalty-free meaning you can use them on videos without worrying about copyright. Look hard and use some appropriate songs for the mood of your video. Try building up a personal 'sound'. If you consistently use similar sounding songs across your videos, you'll be able to build a vibe that's unique to your channel.
Here's some more info for you to check out on the subject of Music
Good sound is very important. No one wants to listen to excessive motor noise for five minutes, so make sure you at least tone it down. One thing you might want to try is narrating over your FPV flights. This can make the video a little more interesting for the viewer. Grab your phone and record your voice whilst you fly. Talk about what you're doing and the challenges you're experiencing.
Replacing motor noise with narration and some subtle music sometimes makes for a more interesting video
Learn software to create some sweet edits
You don't need the best or the most expensive software but you do need some. You can just use something like iMovie if you have to. Learn it well. Practice editing. Like everything - you learn with experience. Each video you create and put out there, the better they will become.
Keep shooting and editing new videos. However, take things slowly at first. Like the first point, start by keeping it simple and work up to more complex videos as you grow. Gather lots of footage at the field and then cut it down. Throw away 90 percent of it to get at the really good stuff. Once you've edited something ask yourself "what can I cut out?" - The aim here is to get the viewer to watch the whole thing. Leave them wanting more.
Here's a 4.25-minute video that is almost all thrilling FPV action
Tell the viewer a story
It may sound cleché, but creating a flowing narrative to a video is a sure way to keep people interested. We all like stories after all! If you're showing the build of an airplane, show everything: buying the kit, unboxing it, setting up your tools. Keep going until you reach the exciting conclusion where your new plane flies for the first time.
Engage with the viewer and structure your videos like a story
Let us know if you found this article helpful by leaving a comment below!
Article by James Whomsley
Editor of FliteTest.com
Contact: james@flitetest.com
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/projectairaviation
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