Learning how to shoot instructional courses can be great for any business or videographer. Learning to shoot instructional courses that are engaging and doing them in a creative manner can take some time, talent, and the right gear. Putting these three things together will allow you to teach to your audience in a way that keeps them captivated by what they are learning.
Plan all of the Content First
Planning your content for an instructional course is the first step to putting out a quality video. Start by planning all of the content you want to cover in the video. Be specific, and make sure to write out a script. This will help keep you organized when shooting the video. Make sure to lay out the content in an order that makes sense. Think about what your audience is going to be seeing, and try to use visuals that will enhance the lesson you are trying to teach. Break the information into small segments, and do not be afraid to include multiple shots or angles of the same information. This will help your audience better understand what you are teaching them. Create a plan for how much time each lesson is going to take, and make sure that you can cover all of the content in that time frame. You should also plan how long each video will be. The time you need for each lesson will be based on how long it takes to teach that particular lesson. Plan out the lessons individually, and then plan the order that they will show up in the completed video. This will help keep your audience engaged throughout your entire instructional course instead of losing their attention along the way. Now that you have the content planned, let’s plan the shoot.
Before you begin shooting, it is important to make a shot list for each segment of your course. Once you have a shot list, break down each shot into the components you will need. This will help you when it comes time to shoot the video.
Some of the things you will need to think about include what camera will be used? What lens will be used? What is the shot composition? What are the shooting parameters (framing, focus, depth of field)? What are the lighting parameters? Should any on-screen graphics be used? Make sure to consider all of these things before you start filming. They may not need to be done at this point, but you should have an idea about what kind of equipment will be needed for each shot.
Remember that every video is different, so what works for one video may not work for another. Be prepared to make changes to your shot list as you are shooting. Things can always come up that will require you to change your plan on the fly.
Finding the Right Camera
Now that you have planned out the content and shot list, it is time to gear up. Make sure you have the right camera for the job. There are many different types of cameras on the market, and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses.
DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, and pocket cinema cameras are good options for shooting instructional courses. They offer great video quality, and there are many different lenses to choose from that will help you get the shot you need. All of these cameras have many different setting options, the ability to plug in an external mic, and optical image stabilization.
A DSLR camera is a good option for instructional courses because it has a full size sensor, interchangeable lenses, and decent low-light capabilities. The main downside to DSLR cameras is their weight. Another thing to consider when choosing a DSLR camera is that you will want to have an external monitor or viewfinder in order to set up your shot.
A mirrorless camera is a good option for instructional courses because it has a smaller body than a DSLR camera. They are compact cameras with a fully articulating screen, and many different lenses to choose from to help you get the shot you need. The downside to mirrorless cameras is their low light capabilities. They can work ok in lower light conditions, but they will not be as good as a DSLR camera. Another downside is that most mirrorless cameras have lower resolution sensors, so you are sacrificing some detail when shooting.
A pocket cinema camera, such as the Blackmagic pocket cinema camera, is a good option for instructional courses because it has the smallest body than a DSLR, great video quality, and many different lenses to choose from. The downside to pocket cinema cameras is they lack some features of the other two types of cameras. They are not easy to get steady shots with, but they can get the job done.
There are many different camera manufacturers of DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, and pocket cinema cameras on the market, so do some research before choosing which one is the best camera for YouTube and your instructional course. If you do not own a DSLR or any other camera options, then renting equipment may be your best option.
Finding the Right Lenses for Instructional Videos
Finding the right lens is extremely important when it comes time to shoot your instructional course. You will want to make sure that you know what lenses to use for each type of shot. There are many different lenses on the market, and each one has its own purpose.
Some of the most popular lenses for instructional videos include zoom lenses, telephoto lenses, and prime lenses. Zoom lenses are a good option because they offer a wide range of focal lengths. This will help you get the shot you need without having to change lenses. Telephoto lenses are great for getting close-ups of your subject. Prime lenses are a good option because they offer a wide aperture, which will help with depth of field. Once you have picked out the right lens for the job, make sure to test it out and get comfortable using it.
Using the Best Microphone
Sound quality is just as important as video quality when shooting an instructional course. To get the best sound quality possible, you will need to use the best microphone for YouTube. There are many different types of microphones on the market, so it is important to know how each one works and what type of gear is required.
A shotgun mic is a good option because they offer great directionality, which means it only records sound in front of the camera. This is great for eliminating background noise. Lavalier mics are a good option for capturing sound from your subject. This is because they clip onto the subject’s clothing and record sound directly from their mouth. This is a great option for interviews or when you need to capture sound at a very short range. A boom mic is a good option because it can be placed at a distance from the subject and record sound from a wider range of areas. This is a good option for capturing sound that is happening in front or behind your subject.
Once you know what microphone to use, make sure you have all of the necessary equipment. You will need to plug it into your camera, so make sure you have the necessary cables.
In Conclusion
If you want to create a successful instructional video for your YouTube channel, you must plan out what equipment will be needed. We’ve outlined the different types of cameras and lenses that may work for your project, as well as how microphones can impact sound quality in your videos. Don’t forget about lighting. If you’re shooting indoors or outdoors, make sure there is enough light before starting filming, so take advantage of natural light if possible. It’s also worth noting that when planning an instructional course, it is helpful to think about what content should go in each shot, sketching out the shots on paper, and time-lapsing them together. This way, you’ll know exactly what needs to happen at every step along the process.
