How To Record Your Video

8 tips for making your video look and sound great

    1. Video – Always record video in landscape (with your phone sideways). Check your phone camera settings and shoot in 1080p (or HD).

    2. Audio – Record your video in a quiet room. Turn off noisy fans, appliances, and children.

    3. Framing – Shoot from the waist up. You can go back farther than that (especially if you’re playing an instrument), but not closer. Tip: If your face is taking up most of the screen, you’re too close.

    4. Background – Blank walls are no fun. These are living room sessions after all – half the fun is getting to see how your home reflects you! Pick your favorite spot in the house (without any windows behind you) and you’re golden. 

    5. Eye Level – You look your best when your phone is at eye level or slightly higher. Avoid those nose hairs and the dreaded double chin look.

    6. Hold Steady – Prop your phone up on something instead of holding it. Remember to prop it so it’s not pointing up at you — keep that sucker at eye level.

    7. Lighting – Keep your light in front of you, not behind! If you’re recording during the day, sit facing a window and open up those shades (nature is the ultimate lighting expert), or put a lamp a few feet in front of you so it’s lighting up your face. Whatever your light source, position it so it’s in front of you, not behind. Avoid having any lamps or lit windows visible in your actual shot.

    8. Audience – Find the camera and look at it. Picture one person you want to connect with and sing or play to them. If you do that, you’ll communicate to everyone.

       

Here’s an example of what your shot would look like using all of those tips! (Here’s lookin’ at you, kid.)

Is your video just you? Then you’re done!

Are you recording a foundation video?

A foundation video is one that other performers listen along to while they record their parts separately. If that’s what you’re doing, read on for How to record a foundation video.

STOP. Have you read the 8 tips  for making the best recording above? If not, go back and make sure you’re set up following those instructions. If you have, you’re ready to get started!

  1. Make sure you’re set up according to the 8 tips  for making the best recording.
  2. Start the video recorder on your phone.
  3. Once you’re recording, clap once loudly. We use that sound to sync any layer videos that will go along with it.
  4. Wait for about ten seconds.
  5. Play your song!

Once you’re done, you can submit your video here!

Are you recording a layer video?

Are you recording a layer video? If you’re using someone else’s foundation video to sing or play along to, you’re making a layer video! Continue on to How to record a layer video.

STOP. Have you read the 8 tips  for making the best recording above? If not, go back and make sure you’re set up following those instructions. If you have, you’re ready to get started!


For this, you’ll need:

    • A computer, laptop, or tablet to see and hear the foundation video
    • Headphones
    • Your phone or other video recording device

  1. Make sure you’re set up according to the 8 tips  for making the best recording.
  2. Start the video recorder on your phone.
  3. Start playing foundation video with headphones out so your phone video can hear the video playing on your computer.
  4. At the beginning of the video, you’ll hear the person clap. That helps us sync your audio to theirs. After they clap, plug your headphones into your computer so your phone cannot hear the foundation video anymore. You should have your headphones on.
  5. Wait for the music to start and sing or play your part. Even if you don’t sing or play the whole time, we’ll still see you on the screen so make sure you keep recording until the end!

Once you’re done, you can submit your video here!


More of a visual learner? This video will walk you through exactly what you need to do.

EARL AND RACHEL SMITH STRAND THEATRE
117 North Park Square
Marietta, GA 30060

It is The Strand’s mission to provide cultural entertainment and education, preserve the historic landmark theatre, and promote economic development in the City of Marietta and Cobb County.

The historic Strand Theatre lights up the downtown Marietta square with live theatre, films, concerts, comedy, private events, and more. The Strand is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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The Strand offices will be closed December 24-28 and January 1-17 for winter break