Tell Your Event's Story - Part Two: Videography
Reid Miller
Director, Digital Content
Embracing Creativity through Technology
Effective event documentation is not just about capturing moments; it's about telling a compelling story. Technology has revolutionized the way we document meetings and events. With smartphones becoming increasingly sophisticated, meeting planners and event professionals have a wealth of tools at their fingertips to create compelling social media content. By incorporating creative angles, camera techniques, and innovative features of your phone's camera, you can elevate the visual storytelling of your events and leave a lasting impact.
In part two of this article series, we delve into the crucial role of event documentation, this time through video.
Why Video Matters
In today’s digital age, it might come as no surprise that audiences engage with video more than any other form of content. According to LinkedIn, “…video content has seen a significant surge, with uploads increasing by 44% year-over-year and garnering 1.4 times more engagement than other formats.” It’s time to start leveraging video to document your events, engage your audience, and promote your brand.
Numerous innovative avenues have emerged for distributing your videos and conveying your message through informal and ephemeral platforms such as Instagram Reels, Stories, TikTok, and more. These channels offer a low-pressure environment for sharing casual video highlights of your events.
Achieve Cinematic Results
While professional videographers might capture a wider range of optics, they can’t be everywhere at once. Not only can you achieve cinematic video quality with your smartphone camera, but you can also provide a more intimate and unique perspective of the gathering.
Here are some tips on how to make the most of your phone's camera and some optional tools to create impactful videos:
Optimize Settings: Ensure you have enabled video recording at the highest resolution available on your device. Most smartphones are capable of recording video up to 4K resolution. See below for more detailed settings to optimize the quality of your video recordings on your smartphone.
For iPhone
- Go to "Settings"
- Go to "Camera"
- For "Formats" > Select "Most Compatible"
- For "Record Video" > Select "4K at 30fps"
- For "Record Slo-mo" > Select "1080p HD at 120 fps"
- Make sure "Record Stereo Sound" is enabled
- Make sure "Smart HDR" is enabled
- If you have the option, go to "Photo capture"
- Make sure Apple ProRaw is enabled
- Select 48 MP
For Android
- Open your "Camera" app
- In the top bar, select the "Ratio" icon
- Select "3:4 – 108 MP or the highest resolution available"
- Go to the "Settings" cog wheel icon
- Make sure "Scene optimizer" is enabled
- Make sure "Auto HDR" is enabled
- Go to "Rear Camera Size"
- Select "16:9 – UHD 3840x2160 (30 fps)"
- If you have the option, go to "Pro video size"
- Select "21:9 (8K) 7680x3296 (24 fps)"
- Make sure "Video stabilization" is enabled
- Make sure "Tracking auto-focus" is enabled
Creative Angles: Experiment with different angles and perspectives to add depth and interest to your footage. Consider capturing footage from unique vantage points to showcase the event in a unique and engaging way.
Stabilization: Ensure your shots are stable and smooth by holding your phone steady or by using a tripod or stabilizer. Shaky footage can detract from the overall quality of your videos. Smooth footage on the other hand, adds considerable production quality. Smartphone gimbals are not only a worthy investment but have also become an affordable option.
Timelapse and Slow Motion: Explore the timelapse and slow-motion features on your phone's camera to add a dynamic element to your videos. Timelapse can condense hours of footage into captivating short clips, while slow-motion can emphasize key moments, reactions, as well as create an epic, cinematic effect.
Editing: Take advantage of mobile editing apps, such as iMovie and Adobe Premiere, to enhance the quality of your videos. Adjust elements such as color, contrast, saturation, and sharpness to create a polished, professional look.
File Sharing: To retain the quality of your video, don’t share it through text or email. Larger files like videos will be compressed and noticeably lower quality when they reach their recipient. Rather, use AirDrop, DropBox, Google Drive, or upload the video directly from your device.
Engaging Your Audience
One of the key benefits of high-quality event documentation is increased audience engagement. By creating visually captivating videos that highlight the key moments and emotions of your event, you can connect with your audience on a deeper level. Share your videos on social media platforms, your website, and through email marketing campaigns to reach a wider audience and showcase the value of your work.
Conclusion
As meeting planners and event professionals, it is essential to leverage the power of your phone's camera to capture key moments and create impactful videos that resonate with your audience. By exploring creative angles, editing techniques, and innovative features, you can elevate the visual storytelling of your events and leave a lasting impression on your attendees. Embrace the potential of technology, unleash your creativity, and make every meeting and event a memorable experience for all involved.
In case you missed it: Tell Your Event's Story - Part One: Photography