How to narrate through video?

Want to make a fun video, like for social media, or something more serious, that would be more suited for television? Some basic rules apply for both and they are more or less the same.

First off, when you start recording, keep in mind how you are going to merge your recordings!

From the outset, think about how wide your shots are going to be. The most common shot sizes are:

• The extreme wide shot and the wide shot (also called full-shot) are shots you use when you need to show where something is located, in a wider geographical sense – such as a city, village, mountain, or when you need to show the wider environment around the subject.

• The medium shot shows the subject or subjects from head to toe, including the immediate surroundings. The subject still does not dominate the frame, but it is as important as the environment.

• The “American shot” starts at the knees of the subject and ends above their head. It is used to bring the subject closer to the audience, but also to prevent the “floating torso” effect when the subject is in motion. The movement, without at least showing the knees, often looks strange on camera.

• The medium-close-up starts at the waist. We can already clearly see the eyes, facial expressions and the movement of the subject. The surroundings do not come into the forefront as much.

• The close-up includes the head and part of the shoulders. The subject’s eyes and facial expressions are clearly visible. This is the most commonly used shot for interviews because it brings the subject closer to the audience and there is enough room for captions or subtitles, if needed.

• Extreme close-ups usually focus on parts of the face, such as the mouth or eyes. This shot shows every movement of the subject, depicting what they may be thinking or feeling. If you want to capture drama, this is the shot you need.

How the audience will experience the subject you are filming also depends on the perspective, that is, the angle of filming.

• When you shoot from the so-called bottom angle, then you give more importance to the subject. They look bigger than they are. They are dominant. Especially if they move their hands as well, they are given a look of authority and confidence.

• If, on the other hand, you want the audience to see the subject as small, weak, powerless, or even diminish the subject, then you shoot from an upper angle.

• When you shoot with an angle at the height of the subject, usually at eye level, then the viewer easily identifies, i.e., relates with the subject. They seem normal. As they are.

So, you need shots with different widths and angles so that you can ultimately capture, in editing, the spatial and temporal logical action. That is called a sequence. When you use many or more wide shots in the sequences, then the viewer gets information about both the subject and their surroundings.

But there is a problem with wide shots – it takes more time to complete the action. Everything is logical and informative, but often does not look very dynamic and eye-catching. If you’ve taken enough shots, especially close-ups, you have a way out. The close-ups contribute to telling more or less the same thing in less time.

But don’t forget a few more basic rules!

• The first is the so-called ramp. If you are recording a conversation between two people, there is an imaginary line between them. Choose which side you will shoot from and stick with it. The camera position can be changed, but the line should not be crossed. The viewer gets the impression that one is speaking, and the other is listening and can guess who is sitting where.

• Keep the same side when you want to tell something about the subject through shots. In this case, it makes sense to look at what’s on the screen over the closer, left shoulder. It’s confusing if you keep switching sides. The side may change from time to time. But it should be done in a logical way. For example, if the viewer clearly sees the camera move from left to right.

• The shots don’t have to be static. You can create an expectation with the so-called tilt, when the camera moves from top to bottom or vice versa, with a beginning and end that explain some action.

• The effect is similar with so-calledpanning, only the movement is now from left to right or vice versa.

You should think in sequences. Think about what shots will provide you the best sequences. A good video is worth a thousand words.