Record Video With Your Cell Phone

Recording Via Cell Phone

1. Create a well-lit environment (if indoors)
   • ​​ensure your space is bright with windows and/or artificial light 
   • a great mixture of light could be windows on one side and a complementary lamp on your opposite side
   • avoid windows directly behind you if recording during the day as they can cause your face to appear dark
   • if recording at night, ensure that you have enough light around you so that the video doesn’t appear dark and grainy
   • perform a test recording to ensure that your shot looks good and make adjustments as necessary
2. If you're recording outside
   • overcast and cloudy days are preferred over harsh sunlight

   • If you must record on a sunny day, do it at dusk or dawn when the light is softer or find a shady spot (hint: if you’re squinting, the light is too strong)

   • find a shady spot or aim the towards the sun, with the light behind you so that you're not staring into the harsh light 

3. ​​Perform an audio test
   • try to record in a quiet location and turn off electronic sounds (fans, heaters, air conditioners, etc.)
   • close out of Outlook and any other applications on your computer that may send you a notification
   • if you're outside, listen for distracting sounds and either wait until the sound passes or try again when the distraction has stopped (vehicles, construction, other people talking, lawn mowers, animals, etc.)
4. Setup your record settings​
   • most newer smartphones are already recording in either HD or 4K, but if you would like to check:
     • iPhone: photos > video > look in the top right-hand corner (it may say 4K - 30, 4K - 60, HD - 30)
       • (4K is the highest resolution and unless you're filming a race car or plan to put your video into slow motion, 4K - 30 is the highest quality best option)
     • Android: settings > resolution & quality > 16:9 4K
5. Before you record
   • clean your lens with a microfiber cloth (otherwise, your video could appear blurry if it's dirty)
   • hold your phone with both hands,set it up on a tripod, or a makeshift tripod (a stack of books on a table will work), or even better, have someone else hold the camera for you (but make sure they're 6 feet or less away to ensure the microphone can pick up on your audio)
   • tap your face on the phone to ensure that the phone's camera focuses on you, and not some other element within the frame
6. Check your composition
   • ​​leave just enough room between the top of your head and the top of the screen (about a hands width)
   • pay attention to what is behind you as this is what the viewer will see
   • avoid objects that appear to be growing out of the back of your head (poles, lamps, tree trunks, etc.)
   • the more distance between you and your background elements, the nicer the video will appear
   • turn the phone sideways to record in a 16:9 aspect ratio unless you are going for the organic, vertical look
     
     

     

7. Record your video
   • press record, count to 5 (in your head) before you start, and once again once you have concluded speaking

8. Send the file

• ​if the file is under 2GB, you can use wetransfer.com to send your file. Simply navigate to the site on your phone and follow these steps: send a file > add your files > photo library > select items > add > next > send an email > next > email to (enter recipients address) > enter your address > transfer (do not close your browser until the transfer is complete)

6. Upload to WPI's Youtube Channel

• ​If you would like to upload your video to WPI's Youtube channel (subject to review), please fill out this form to see if your video is eligible