| A lot of people ask me about tips on making | | | | pot of simmering liquid simmer for 20 mins. |
| cooking videos. When I make my video, I am not | | | | * I think about what I am preparing for dinner as |
| attempting to create a TV style slick show, nor | | | | I shop, and I think about the parts of the recipe, |
| am I trying to haphazardly record rote recipe | | | | how it breaks down naturally - first we combine |
| preparation. I think the slick television type video | | | | ingredients, then cook or marinade or whatever, |
| production must be reserved for those with the | | | | then season, further treat and finally serve. |
| skill and the time, which I lack. My goal is to | | | | * I try to film each part of the food preparation |
| create clear, concise easy to follow videos that | | | | in one continuous pass, so that there is no |
| contain new information for the viewer. In short, I | | | | subsequent need for editing. This can be |
| am attempting to provide educational videos on | | | | problematic in a house with children, pets and the |
| the topic of cooking. Due to my current limited | | | | various noises and needs that arise from same, |
| equipment I am not happy with the sound or light | | | | so I start a lot of videos and end up not using |
| quality of my videos, however I decided to strive | | | | them - simple salmon in foil packets is one that I |
| to make the best videos I could with what I had | | | | will someday post, I've made it for my family |
| available before diving in and making a more | | | | countless times since I started recording my |
| serious financial investment. I needed also to be | | | | dinner preparations - but for some reason, there |
| able to create the videos in a time sensitive | | | | is always a child having a meltdown (which is rare |
| manner so as not to excessively detract from | | | | normally) a dog who won't stop barking, a ringing |
| my other innumerable responsibilities. | | | | phone - something disruptive. |
| About a year ago I was given a tiny digital | | | | * If something mild occurs while I am filming I try |
| camera, which took videos! I got the idea to try | | | | not to overreact and continue on cooking and |
| and capture some of my favorite recipes on | | | | talking - for example, causally remove cat from |
| video, so I could eventually share them with my | | | | butcher block and continue cooking/filming. |
| young daughter. At first, I tried editing using the | | | | * Initially I neglected to include in my videos a |
| software which came included on my laptop, | | | | shot showing the final plating of the dish. I now |
| windows movie maker...as with many Microsoft | | | | try to always do this, as well as taking a picture |
| products this software left a great deal to be | | | | of the final product. |
| desired. I changed tactics and decided to attempt | | | | * Initially, I neglected to provide close-ups of |
| to record my recipes live, as I went, with | | | | crucial phases of a preparation. I try to |
| accompanying explanations as clear as I could | | | | incorporate these more often, but within reason |
| make them. I still use windows movie maker, and | | | | as there is only me, and one camera |
| am happy to have it. I add titles and transitions | | | | * I turn on my little camera and place it on a 64 |
| between clips and that's all. | | | | oz jar of organic apple juice and aim it towards |
| I came up with a few guidelines which aided | | | | the area I cook in. I look through the lens to |
| greatly in creating my videos. | | | | make sure its roughly in the right place. |
| * First the basics which cannot be overstated:o | | | | * I turn off the camera after first cuing in the |
| LOOK AT THE CAMERA - its so easy to forget | | | | potential viewers with a statement like "I will be |
| this while cooking, after all its not a speech and | | | | back after the chicken marinates to demonstrate |
| you are working. Try to minimize views of your | | | | what to do next" this allows for a transition to |
| back.o Speak clearly being careful to annunciate | | | | the next clip without more formal editing. |
| your words. Try to project your voice, as though | | | | * The number one problem with my little camera |
| you were on stage, which in a way, you are.o | | | | is lack of space, so I need to transfer my video |
| State what your recipe is, what ingredients are | | | | clips to my computer as I take them - then |
| involved and give measurements when practicalo | | | | delete them from the camera and film the next |
| Don't move too much - keep motion down to | | | | clip. More than once I have inadvertently ran out |
| what is essential for the preparation of the disho I | | | | of space and thought I was recording when I was |
| started with youtube which limited the duration to | | | | not. |
| 10 minutes, and I still try and stick to this ... in | | | | * I film most nights, not concerned with my |
| todays day and age nobody has time to watch | | | | physical appearance - because to worry about |
| forever, and 10 minutes is long enough without | | | | this on top of everything else would no doubt |
| resorting to a great deal of post filming editing. | | | | decrease the number of videos I can make. |
| * I try to do as much prep work as possible off | | | | * Finally, once you have made your video - watch |
| camera, ahead of time. This includes measuring | | | | it, all the way through. I find this painful, because I |
| ingredients and placing in small bowls, chopping, | | | | tend to be self - conscious but it is essential. |
| dicing and the like. Unless the technique involved is | | | | Watch it for continuity, accuracy and basic |
| novel or interesting there is no need for the | | | | 'watchability'. If you are lucky to have someone |
| viewer to watch 5 potatoes being diced fine. | | | | willing, get someone else to watch it through as |
| * I try to film in natural stages, ending clips where | | | | well. Then go ahead and post it, this isn't rocket |
| appropriate and resuming when valuable to the | | | | science after all! |
| viewer - for example, nobody needs to watch a | | | | |