The number of content creators is on the rise. YouTube has over 50 million channels, with almost 30,000 having at least a million subscribers each. TikTok boasts almost similar results with over a billion active users a month. New video creators are popping up every day, and the competition is getting tougher. Thus, you will have to up your video creation game if you want to establish yourself as a versatile creator.
It does not matter whether you want to make videos for social media platforms or a personal project. You must have a good home video recording setup or studio to record videos. And in case you are a beginner with little to no knowledge of how to set up such a studio, keep reading. You are about to learn how to set up a professional home video recording studio within a budget.
Record with a Phone
Mobile devices like the Samsung S21 Ultra, Google Pixel 6 Pro, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max have the best camera modules on the market right now. All of these devices can take videos in 4K.
Most of them record videos at 30 frames per second, which will work beautifully for indoor shooting, as well as many outdoor shots. Most importantly, these devices cost around $900 to $1,200. You will not get the same features in a professional camera for anything less than $2,000 or $3,000.
Besides, with mobile phones, you can directly upload the videos to the cloud once you are done. You can also utilize these devices if you have to go live on any social media platform. Doing the same with a camera is exceedingly difficult, and quite a lengthy process.
Use the Front Camera When Reading from a Script
By downloading the BIGVU app on your phone, you can record yourself using the front camera while you read off a script on the screen. BIGVU is a teleprompter app. You can find it here if you wish to download it.
With BIGVU, write video scripts and then display them on your phone screen while recording. This is the perfect setup for a commentary video or if you are simply using a script for your content. BIGVU is super easy to use, and its website has lots of tutorials for you to learn how to use the app. And in case you need additional help, you can always contact their support team.
The free version works fine, except your videos will have a watermark on them. Or, you can opt for the ‘Starter’ or ‘Starter Plus’ versions that cost $15 and $40 per month respectively.
Always Use a Tripod
Tripods are crucial for ensuring stability in your shots/ besides, it is always a good idea to place your camera lens at face level. And for that, you will have to get a tripod that can get you the most flattering shots.
For $25 to $40, you can get your hands on a small tripod. A more budget-friendly idea would be to use a stack of books instead of a tripod. However, the slightest of wobbles can throw the phone off balance. Hence, a tripod is a far better option.
Avoid Your Phone’s Zoom Feature
The zoom feature on most phones will not fetch you good results. Even in flagship devices of Samsung, Google, OnePlus, or Apple, the zoom feature is rather poor. So when you zoom in with these phone cameras, you are likely to get distorted shots. Instead, you should consider moving the object closer to the phone or bringing the phone closer to the object. That will get you a far better and high-quality shot than what you would have gotten if you had zoomed in.
Invest in a Green Screen
A professional green screen will cost you $50. The sizes you will get for this price will be enough to cover your backdrop. You can then choose elegant themes and backgrounds for your videos. However, you may use a solid green fabric sheet lying around the house if you are on a very tight budget.
Ensure Sufficient Lighting
Ideally, you would want to ensure sufficient amounts of natural lighting in your recording room. In case that becomes difficult, switch to artificial lights.
For close-up shots, there is no alternative to a ring light. You can buy one for as little as $11 to $15. You will also need additional LED box lighting if the room is dark. These can cost anything from $50 to $500. For a low-budget setup, expect to spend at least $200 on these lights.
So there you go. Your budget-friendly home recording studio is ready. Now get in there and work your magic to create some amazing content.