Video content creation has become increasingly popular over the last few years and is now a key technique to promoting your business.
Having a professional studio is one of the crucial aspects to creating a clean, professional looking video, however it may not be that easy or time-efficient to find one suitable. That’s why more and more companies are building their own studios on their own premises. Not only will it save your company time and money in the long run, it also won’t restrict the number of videos you can create and will allow all employees to get creative!
Here are five top tips to think about if you are wanting to build your own studio:
1. Choose the right space for you:
Make sure you pick a space that generally is no smaller than 12 feet by 18 feet with at least 4 feet between the camera and the subject. Also ensure there is another 4 feet between the subject and the back wall to decrease the chances of shadows. The space should ideally be a room with no windows and no air conditioning or other background noise to ensure the sound is the highest quality. However, if the space is too large and under furnished, this will make the sound bounce off the walls and cause echoes. As well as having the right space for your studio, another benefit would be to have a meeting room next to or nearby for planning and any last-minute changes.
2. Having the correct video equipment:
For your videos to achieve a professional finish, the studio will need a high-end camera. Some of the best cameras for the job are HD and 4K cameras including the Canon EOS C-series or the Z CAM E2C. If you are also wanting to live stream from the studio, make sure the camera has a ‘clean’ HDMI output. Many studios can just operate with one camera, however if you want to create a more dynamic final video use at least two cameras. This will ensure you create different camera angles and shot types, leaving you with a higher quality final video. Lastly, make sure you have suitable stabilisation such as a tripod or a truss.
3. Choosing the correct audio equipment:
The most important thing when setting up the microphones, is to make sure the microphone is as close to the speaker as possible. Even the most high-end expensive microphone will not be used to its full potential if it is poorly placed. The recommended microphones to use during a broadcast are Lavalier (clip-on) mics which clip on to the speaker’s clothing, or a boom mic that is placed directly above the speaker out of shot. An audio mixer is also a great component to have in your studio. This is there to ensure the levels of the speakers are correct and can be adjusted accordingly.
4. Making sure you have good lighting
Using artificial lighting rather than relying on the unpredictable natural day light is advised for your studio. If you do have windows in your studio it is always best to block out the light using curtains. Using artificial light lets you have more control over the lighting and makes the final product look as professional as it could be. A top tip would be to make sure you are lighting your main subject properly by using a three-point lighting technique. The key light, usually the main source of light placed on the upper side of the subject, a fill light which counters the shadows from the key light and finally the back light placed behind the subject. LED lights are usually the better light to choose as they don’t radiate a lot of heat and can be easily controlled.
5. The backdrop
For a polished and professional look, most studios have a large green screen or seamless infinite white backgrounds. However, these can be pricey so you can always use something like a bookshelf, or neatly arranged plants for the backdrop. The main advice is to avoid any clutter and make sure the backdrop is at least 4 feet away from the main subject.
If you’re looking to build a professional studio, Dreamtek can help and ensure it is designed to get the very most out of the space. Some of our previous studio builds have been for competitive gaming, media and PR, training, internal filming and live streaming.