Create Your Own Studio Video Blog Episode 1

When are you going to get started on your courses?

Now as silly as me falling from the sky and being awesome, my hope is that you will see that you have your own superpowers! Where you can understand the gifts that you possess and share them with millions of people.

Like my friend Josh, he has made steps to producing his own content. He has his own safety consulting company and has started developing his own safety courses. His clients already know him so who better to produce content.

I have worked with Josh in developing targeted courses for his clients as well as set up a custom learning management system (LMS) and 3D graphics for his courses. When Josh started, I introduced him to a video production company that I use from time to time when a client doesn't have a studio of their own.

What About Lighting?

Once we completed the videos Josh decided he was going to go the extra step, build his own video studio and do his own production work. So he stated with a light kit here.

Now the light kit here is simple and it did the job. But he was having some light fill issues so he also bought these.

What About the Camera?

Now for the camera, Josh went the extra mile and bought a Canon 5D Mark III. I wouldn't recommend these unless you want also would love to take still shots as well.

This is an amazing camera for stills as well as video but the cost is around $4,000 for a new Canon Mark IV and lens. The color you get from this camera is stunning but to start off with you might want to check a few of these to the right.

One of the biggest differences of the 5D to the others on the right is that the 5D does not auto-focus, so you will have to focus the camera everytime you move. This is not ideal if you are moving around in the shot or filming movement coming closer or further away from the camera.

This would be for placing the camera on the tripod and having another person get you in focus. Now you would think for the money you spend on the Canon 5D  that there would be an auto-focus feature. Other than that, it is an amazing camera. 

The Camera I Use

Now I have access to a couple of cameras. I use the Canon 5D and Canon 7D for most projects, where I don't have to worry about focus. If I am holding a camera like my Video Blog I use a Fuji X-T20.

It is easy to hold and it autofocuses thank goodness. Yes in the video blog above gets blurry so I try to do better. But all in all, I like the little Fuji X-T20.

Other Camera Options

$1,049.00 Canon EOS 80D Digital SLR Kit

$897.00 PANASONIC LUMIX G85 4K Mirrorless Camera,

$498.00 Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR

$669.95 Canon EOS Rebel T6i DSLR

What About a Microphone?

Now recording your audio from your built-in camera mic might leave you wanting more. So Josh started using his Samson CT7 wireless mic for a lot of his shoots. It's great for being wireless but being wireless means that you have to be mindful of your battery life.

You would hate it if you were shooting and realized after watching your video a day or two later and found that your audio started crackling because your batteries were running low.

Another option Josh had was wearing a wired lapel mic that connects right to the camera not worrying about the battery.

The problem with that solution is that you have a wire down your back and which might pick up some crackling sounds when your shirt moves.  Also when you move, there could be a case where the wire may be pulled and knock over your tripod causing your expensive camera to go caput!

So we opted to go another route, a boom mic, and a Tascam DR-60DmkII. Josh was looking for the best solution because he was having an issue with micing. The Tascam DR-60DmkII allows for a mic preamp to boost your sound. The mic runs through the DR-60DmkII box and back into your camera.

If you need to do an interview with say a testimonial or video a session where you need 2 mics,  this would be a great solution for you because this allows for 2 mic inputs. 

Take a look a the video review of the Tascam DR-60DmkII. This will give more information than you will need but it will give you the gest of what we used.

So for the mic, we chose the Audio Technica AT8415 Short Shotgun MicrophoneAT8415 is designed especially for use with video cameras and uses a 3.5 mm connector plug to plug into your video camera.

The microphone includes a camera-mount, stand clamp, foam windscreen and battery.

Now, this was the solution for Josh this may not be the solution for you. I have provided a list of other options that may work just as well for you.

Josh is in for the long haul and wanted the best for his situation. You can always hit me up if you have any questions on what we use other alternatives.

Other Mic Options

$229.00 Rode VMPR VideoMic Pro R with Rycote Lyre Shockmount

$149.98 Rode VideoMic with Fuzzy Windjammer Kit

Do I Need a Teleprompter?

Well, this question depends on if you are good a memorizing your script or are you good just off the cuff?  Josh is very good off the cuff when you hear him speak about a topic. But if you have ever been in front of a camera you know that your mindset changes. Josh said after he recorded he would forget to put a point in, then he would have to re-shoot. Once you have teleprompter you can ad-lib a bit but then go right back to topic.

$549.00 Ikan PT-ELITE-PRO Teleprompter

So the Ikan PT-ELITE-PRO Teleprompter works with iPad Pro or a Surface computer. You can use different apps for teleprompters but the one that I think is amazing is PromptSmart Pro app.

This has got to be the coolest app because as you read the screen automatically scrolls up. So the app uses voice recognition to know where you are in your script.

The app scrolling is very smooth, no jerking text or uneven movements. So the slower you talk the slower the scroll. Very Cool!

Bottom Line

So whether you build a studio or use a local video production company to do the shots, you need to find what works for you. So where do I start? Well to start is to make up your mind in 2018 that this is the year you start! If you don't have the space, see about using a climate controlled storage unit. Josh used one for a couple of months and it worked well for him.

If you have a home office then that would be great, just move around to get the optimal light for your shots.

If you can't use lights use a window that lets in loads of light fill your shots. Don't let not having a studio stop you from getting your powers out. Release them to the world.

If you ever need help building your course, email me at info@howtobuildacourse.com I read all my email so I would be happy to help any way I can.