While our editors can work wonders in post-production, there's only so much that can be done if the original footage is blurry, poorly lit, or difficult to hear.
The good news is that you don't need expensive cameras or a professional studio to create high-quality content. A few simple filming habits can help us create stronger edits from the very first draft.
Whether you're filming with a smartphone or a professional camera, these tips will help you capture footage that's easier to edit and more engaging to watch.
Prioritise Good Audio
If viewers can't hear you clearly, they're much more likely to stop watching than if the video quality isn't perfect. Whenever possible:
- Use an external microphone.
- Film in a quiet environment.
- Turn off fans, air conditioning, or anything creating background noise.
- Avoid echoey rooms.
- Record a quick test before filming everything.
Even an inexpensive lapel or USB microphone can dramatically improve the quality of your videos.
Lighting Makes a Huge Difference
Good lighting instantly makes your videos look more professional. If possible:
- Face a window for natural light.
- Keep the main light source in front of you rather than behind you.
- Avoid harsh overhead lighting on its own.
- If filming regularly, consider investing in a simple ring light or LED panel.
You don't need an expensive lighting setup — consistent, soft lighting is often all you need.
Keep Your Camera Stable
Shaky footage can be distracting. Whenever possible:
- Use a tripod.
- Rest your phone on a stable surface.
- Use a gimbal if you're filming while moving.
- Avoid unnecessary camera movement unless it's intentional.
Stable footage gives us much more flexibility during editing.
Record in the Highest Quality You Can
If your device supports it, record in:
- 4K resolution (preferred)
- 1080p minimum
Higher-resolution footage gives us more flexibility to crop, zoom, and reframe shots without noticeably reducing quality.
Leave a Few Seconds Before and After Each Take
One of the easiest ways to improve your edits is simply to leave a little extra room.
- Before you start speaking: wait 2–3 seconds.
- After you finish speaking: wait another 2–3 seconds before stopping the recording.
These extra moments give us clean edit points and make transitions much smoother.
Don't Worry About Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes while filming. If you stumble over a sentence:
- Pause.
- Take a breath.
- Start the sentence again.
There's no need to restart the entire recording. We'll remove mistakes, awkward pauses, and multiple takes during the editing process.
Film More Than You Think You'll Need
It's always better to have too much footage than not enough. Extra footage gives us more creative options for:
- B-roll
- Cutaways
- Transitions
- Storytelling
- Hiding edits
If you're demonstrating a product or filming an event, capture a variety of angles and shots — even if you're not sure you'll use them.
Capture Plenty of B-roll
B-roll is the supporting footage that plays while someone is speaking. Examples include:
- Close-ups of products
- People working
- Office shots
- Computer screens
- Behind-the-scenes moments
- Wide establishing shots
- Detail shots
B-roll makes videos more engaging and helps break up talking-head footage. As a general rule, if you think you've filmed enough B-roll, film a little more!
Think About Your Background
A clean background helps keep the viewer focused on you. Before recording, quickly check for:
- Clutter
- Bright distractions
- Sensitive information on screens or whiteboards
- Untidy desks
- Anything that doesn't represent your brand well
Simple backgrounds often look the most professional.
Frame Yourself Well
Try to position yourself in the centre of the frame or slightly off-centre using the rule of thirds. Avoid:
- Too much empty space above your head.
- Cutting off the top of your head.
- Filming from an awkward low angle.
If you're unsure, place the camera roughly at eye level.
Record in the Correct Orientation
Think about where your content will be published before you start filming. Generally:
- Landscape (16:9) for YouTube, websites, presentations, and long-form content.
- Portrait (9:16) for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.
Recording in the correct orientation from the start produces the best results.
Keep Your Lens Clean
It sounds obvious, but it's surprisingly easy to forget. A quick wipe with a microfiber cloth can make your footage noticeably sharper — especially on smartphones.
Be Yourself
The best-performing content often feels natural rather than overly scripted. Don't worry about sounding perfect.
Speak as if you're having a conversation with your audience. Small imperfections often make content feel more authentic and relatable. If you do have a script, use it as a guide rather than trying to memorise every word.
Let Us Know Your Vision
Filming great footage is only half the process. When submitting your project, tell us:
- What the goal of the video is.
- Who it's for.
- Any editing styles you like.
- Reference videos you'd like us to take inspiration from.
- Any branding requirements.
The more context we have, the better we can tailor the edit to your vision. See our guide on creating the best project brief for more.
Final Tips
Creating great content doesn't require expensive equipment — it requires good habits. To recap:
- Prioritise clear audio.
- Use good lighting.
- Keep your camera steady.
- Record in the highest quality possible.
- Leave extra time before and after each take.
- Don't restart every time you make a mistake.
- Film plenty of B-roll.
- Keep your background clean.
- Frame yourself well.
- Record in the correct orientation.
- Share your vision and reference videos with us.
Remember, our editors can enhance your footage, improve pacing, add graphics, colour grade, clean up audio, and create a polished final product — but the stronger the footage you capture, the better the final edit will be.
A little extra care during filming goes a long way, helping us deliver a stronger first draft and an even better finished video.