In the past month several people have requested advice in terms of setting up a ‘home studio’. I decided to do a few quick written (and video) blog entries with some tips.
A home studio can mean many different things. For some it is a semi-professional set-up with lights, green or blue screen, high-end mics, sound proofing and the like. But you don’t have to spend big bucks to get amazing results. Simply choosing a regular location to video blog without worrying about set-up will improve consistency and foster your own look and style.
What is the best location to choose for your video blogging studio? Consider the following criteria:
1. Noise level: will you be interrupted by outdoor (or indoor) noise? Choose the quietest, most private location you have.
2. Size: The more space you have the more flexibility. I recommend a space at least ten feet long and eight feet wide.
3. Lighting: If it doesn’t pose sound issues, a window is nice to have for a quick natural lighting set-up. However, if you plan on using a green screen or other background and will use lights, you may want to avoid windows all together.
Once you have chosen your space, you’ll be able to further experiment and determine your needs.
- Will you want to design your own background or will you use whatever appears behind you naturally?
- Will you need lights?
- What chair will you sit in? (pick a quiet one preferably without wheels).
- What type of shot composition will you primarily use: wide (we can see you from your knees up), medium (head, shoulders and chest), medium-close (head and shoulder), or close (head and neck)?) All of the above?
Make a few test video blogs in your new space to make sure there are no unforeseen issues. There is no sense in setting up a space that has unexpected sound or privacy issues. Next week I’ll review background solutions and how to make your own green screen for under $100. For now I’ll leave you with this quick tip for a flexible, creative look.
Quick tip:
- Buy enough felt fabric (black or dark blue works well) to cover the area behind you (most video bloggers use medium shots or closer – select your shot and measure the area behind you so you know how much fabric to buy).
- Also purchase a few smaller pieces of felt in mult-colors as per your desired aesthetic.
- Cut out shapes, words (use a stencil) or swatches from your colored felt. Remember making felt paintings when you were a kid? Felt naturally sticks to other pieces of felt.
- Stick these pieces of felt onto your black or dark blue piece of felt. Now you have a dynamic background that is inexpensive and easy to change whenever you like.