How
to create your own video
Tools and Techniques that will help you create the best video
on your own.
(If you want to see how NOT to shoot a video, check
these out.)
High Quality
All of our suggestions help you create the highest quality video
possible. A high quality video translates into a high quality
experience for the buyer with a high quality home from a high
quality listing agent.
Tools
MiniDV format digital camcorder retains the
highest quality of any other format.
Wide angle lens. When you're filming in a restrictive
environment like a home, you MUST have a wide angle lens to capture
as much as possible.
Tripod with smooth panning capability. Most
of your video will be pans of rooms. A tripod that pans smoothly
will allow you the best shots without distracting jerky movement.
External microphone allows the most flexibility
in your narration. It is often easier to record the narration
after the filming so you don't leave out any important features.
Techniques
Write a script! No movie was ever made without
a script. The script isn't just for narration. This script will
guide you through filming. It will tell you which rooms you need
to spend the most time in and what special features need to be
highlighted.
Never walk with the camcorder! This relates
back to the quality of the video. Successful walking tours require
special gear to reduce shaking and jerky movements. An actual
walk through the house does give the buyer a better sense of the
home's layout but if done improperly, can seriously distract from
their emotional experience with the home.
Slowly pan around rooms with the camcorder mounted
on a tripod. We emphasize "slowly." The slower the pan,
the better. Begin recording in a static position, count to two
and then begin the slow pan. When the pan is finished, stop, count
to two and then stop recording. Only pan in one direction. Don't
pan across a room or up a staircase and then pass back in the
opposite direction from the same spot. Pan from several different
points in the room (never do a 360 in the middle of the room)
so the buyer can see the room from multiple angles and locations.
To highlight special features SLOWLY zoom in
on the features with the camcorder mounted on a tripod. Zooming
successfully can be tricky so zoom very slowly, preferably on
the camera's slowest zoom function. Zooming can only be used if
you are editing your video.
Edit your video. Using the video editing software
that came with your computer you can create great looking transitions
that add quality to your video. We recommend only using the fade
in and fade out transitions. These are the most professional looking.
Add background music. You can find good royalty-free
music online. Choose music that compliments the home. Usually
classical style music compliments the home best. Music controls
the emotion the buyer will feel while viewing the video. You must
have good background music.
Record and add voice-over narration. Because
you are not moving through the house, narration becomes even more
important. Highlight features of the home, talk about the flow
of the house–the layout and how rooms correspond to each
other. Inspire the buyer with examples of how they can use the
rooms to give them the feeling of actually living there. One important
tip: be sure the narration corresponds with what the buyer is
seeing.
Now you have a high quality video ready for
the world of buyers to see. Send the video to your web page host
to have it linked to your web site!
If you don't have the time to shoot
and edit your own videos, please
contact us. We would love to help! |
