How to shoot on phone

The importance of a storyboard:

•  A simple storyboard or shot-list will help you plan your shoot. 

•  Write down what you need to film – or draw pictures to create a storyboard. This will remind you to capture specific shots – including close-ups and other particular angles, before you leave. 

Types of shots and angles used to shoot: 

• Wide Shot (WS): A wide shot establishes the scene and provides context by showing the subject in relation to the surroundings. It helps set the scene and captures the overall environment or location.

• Medium Shot (MS): A medium shot shows the subject from the waist up or mid-chest up. It is useful for interviews, as it allows viewers to see facial expressions and body language while maintaining some environmental context.

• Close-up Shot (CU): A close-up shot focuses on a specific part of the subject, such as the face, hands, or objects. It adds detail, emphasizes emotions, or highlights specific elements of the story.

• Over-the-Shoulder (OTS) Shot: An over-the-shoulder shot frames the subject from behind another person's shoulder. It is commonly used in interviews or conversations to create a sense of engagement and perspective.

• Tracking Shot: A tracking shot involves moving the camera alongside the subject to follow the action. It adds dynamism and energy to the footage, particularly in situations where movement is involved.

• Selfie/Vlogging Shot: In mobile journalism, the front-facing camera of the smartphone allows for selfie or vlogging shots, where the journalist becomes a part of the story by speaking directly to the camera. This shot adds a personal and direct connection with the audience.

Narrative Footage – Cutaways and Overlay

• Cutaways: These are shots of an interviewee that help hide cuts in an interview, such as close-ups of the hands or eyes, and shots to provide variety or give context to points the interviewee is making, such as footage of them engaged in an activity.

• Overlay: Shots of objects or activities you are describing in your script, or which your interviewee refers to in their answers. Capture plenty of these, including wides, mediums and close-ups, so that you have a good choice of angles and shots in the edit. 

Tips to help you achieve good-quality video and sound

• Camera stability: Use a tripod or stabilize your mobile device using a smartphone tripod mount or a stabilizing gimbal.

• Lighting: Pay attention to lighting conditions. Shoot in well-lit environments whenever possible, preferably using natural light.

• Framing and composition: Frame yourself properly in the shot. Position yourself in the center or follow the rule of thirds for a visually appealing composition. Ensure that your face is clearly visible and take care to avoid unnecessary distractions in the background.

• Audio quality: Good audio is crucial for mobile journalism videos. Use an external microphone, such as a lavalier (lapel) microphone, to ensure clear and high-quality sound. 

• Background noise: Minimize background noise as much as possible. Choose a quiet location or use a microphone with noise-canceling capabilities to reduce unwanted sounds.

• Camera settings: Familiarize yourself with the camera settings on your mobile device. Adjust settings such as exposure, white balance, and focus manually if necessary. Experiment with different settings to find the optimal configuration for your specific environment and lighting conditions.

• Multiple takes: Don't hesitate to record multiple takes of your video. This allows you to choose the best one during the editing process. Review each take for technical issues, delivery, and overall performance, and make adjustments as needed.

• Post-processing: After recording, you can enhance the video and audio quality further during the editing phase. Use video editing software or mobile apps to adjust brightness, contrast, color balance, and audio levels 

• Subtitles: Adding subtitles to videos for mobile journalism is an effective way to make your content more accessible and engaging.

Sequence filming

• Establish the first shot: Begin your sequence with an establishing shot that sets the scene and provides context for the viewers. This shot is typically a wide or medium shot that shows the location or the main subject of the sequence.

• Shoot a variety of shots: Capture a range of shots to add visual interest and convey information effectively. This can include wide shots, medium shots, close-ups, cutaways, and any other shot types that help tell your story or convey the necessary details. Vary the composition, angles, and camera movements to add visual dynamics.

• Maintain continuity: Pay attention to continuity when filming a sequence. Ensure that the framing, lighting, and other visual elements remain consistent throughout the shots to create a seamless flow. Maintain consistent audio levels as well, especially if there's dialogue or sound that carries over between shots.

• Transition between shots: Think about how each shot will transition to the next smoothly. You can use various techniques like match cuts, visual similarities, or complementary actions to create seamless transitions between shots. This helps maintain the flow of the sequence and keeps the viewers engaged.

• Review and make adjustments: Periodically review the footage you've captured to ensure that it aligns with your vision for the sequence. Make any necessary adjustments, such as re-shooting specific shots or capturing additional shots to enhance the storytelling.

Tips and tricks for MOJO

• Put your phone on flight mode to avoid interruptions.

• Make sure you have plenty of battery and storage space before you shoot.

• Generally, shoot landscape (but vertical can work too).

• Try to get a variety of different shot types.

• Keep light behind you (illuminating subject) if possible.

• Consider mobile users on small screens — try to keep subjects large in the frame.

• Hold still! For extra stability, use a selfie stick or tuck your elbows into your body, with feet shoulder-width apart.

• Avoid zooming (experiment with cropping for tighter shots).

• Test and check your audio levels.

• Avoid blocking your microphone and camera with your fingers.

• Have fun.