Online Video Production — Avoid These 7 Mistakes for Quality Results

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

You think you've heard this all before? Online video mistakes are more common than you think, and they can cripple your project without warning. The perfect storyboard, the meticulous planning – none of that will save you if your sound is off or your shots are blurry. Clutter in the background, easily overlooked, can undermine the whole endeavour. I've been there, stumbling over the unseen traps in online video creation. But guess what? Those mistakes have been my teachers. It's how we learn. It's how we grow. Now, it's your turn to take these lessons to heart. Avoid these 7 Common Video Mistakes, and step up your video production game. The path to better quality online video starts here.

1. Poor Sound and Lighting

Have you ever tried reading in the dark or listening to your favorite song that has been badly recorded? Poor sound and lighting may seem like obvious problems to avoid, but many videos suffer when the subject is not visibly clear due to inadequate lighting. Before rolling the camera, test some sample footage for clarity based on the existing lighting. If you're shooting in a low-lit indoor environment or poor outdoor light, consider purchasing a camera lighting package. And remember, the sound quality on some camera models might be impaired by their standard built-in microphone. You may want to double-check whether your camera can support an external microphone for improved sound quality. Most modern ones will do, but its worth double checking.

2. Inappropriate Video Length

Unlike a situation like a boring meeting that you wish you could walk out of, walking away from a video is only one mouse click away. The average adult's attention span is very low. In a world flooded with endless video content, another captivating watch is always just a click away. When creating any content, it's important to think about the social media platform on which that content will be showcased. For example, on paper, a 3-minute video highlight of an event may seem like a good idea with so much content recorded, but a 1-minute video may be much more appropriate. As each brand and business will be uniquely different, it's important to look at those backend video statistics to see what's working and what isn't.

3. Neglecting Colour Correction and Grading

Videos straight out of the camera may not always look as vibrant or well-balanced as they could be. Neglecting to colour correct or grade your footage can leave it looking flat or unnatural. Proper colour correction enhances the visual appeal and helps in conveying the desired mood and tone.

4. Failing to Test any Hired or New Equipment

You've got new gear, or you rented some amazing equipment for your next big shoot. That's awesome, but did you check if it actually works the way you need it to?

I see this all the time. People get all hyped about the latest tech, thinking it's going to skyrocket their content, and then they fall flat on their face because they didn't bother to test it out first. You wouldn't run a marathon in a brand new pair of shoes you've never worn, right? Then why would you shoot crucial video without pre-testing the equipment.

5. Ignoring Video Composition and Framing

This is about more than just having your subject in focus. Proper framing and composition include understanding the rule of thirds, maintaining headroom, and avoiding distractions in the background. Poor composition can distract the viewer and make the content feel amateurish.

6. Props Left in Camera View

Remove any unnecessary props that may ruin the shot. For example, a photo or clothing left undetected can spoil the scene. Your subject should always be the video's focal point, so be careful with the framing of each shot before filming.

7. Failure to Plan Before the Big Shoot

All too often, videos are shot based around an idea, but little time is spent on a script or thought given to different camera shots necessary. It's not until an attempt is made to edit the footage that these problems become clear, hindering the video. A storyboard or time spent planning will go a long way to improve overall quality. More complex storyboards could include the length of the shot, a list of transitions to be used, and descriptions of the shot.

The Journey Continues

You think this is where the journey ends? Now go out there and create. Fail, learn, grow. That's the game. You want to be the best in this video world? Then stop reading and start doing. Take these lessons, these mistakes, and make them your fuel. It's time to show the world what you've got.