Video Podcast
BOOSTING BUSINESS BY ADDING VIDEO TO YOUR PODCAST
By Michael Olatunji, Outset Studio
Companies and individuals can showcase their expertise, values, and unique offerings by producing podcasts. Additionally, podcasting involves a variety of skills, including public speaking, interviewing, content creation, storytelling, and marketing. These skills are transferable and applicable to a wide range of career paths and industries. But to be useful, podcasts need to reach the desired audience.
People consume content in different ways. While many people like to pop a podcast on while they do the washing up, others prefer to sit down with a cup of tea and watch an episode. By recording video alongside your audio podcast, you provide content that engages your audience no matter what their preference.
So, if you are recording a podcast and are not shooting video for it, you are missing out on a huge potential audience. But making the transition from audio-only podcasts to shooting video episodes can be tricky. Here are some top tips to get you started.
Lighting
Effective lighting is paramount for high-quality video, and in video production, colour temperature refers to the characteristic colour of light—measured in degrees Kelvin (K)—emitted by a light source. It is a way of describing the warmth or coolness of light, with lower colour temperatures indicating warmer (more yellow or orange) light and higher colour temperatures indicating cooler (more blue) light. It’s usually recommended to try and mimic daylight or natural light as closely as possible. A temperature of 5500K (the purest white colour temperature available) is considered the best colour temperature for video lighting.
While opening curtains and using natural light can work, film lights provide much more control and consistency over the lighting setup. It is also advisable to have at least one light per subject and one light per background to ensure proper illumination. You may need to adjust the intensity and positioning of the lights to ensure that each person looks their best on camera.
If you are doing a remote guest interview, consider booking them into a local studio where lighting can be professionally controlled. This ensures that the quality of the video remains consistent and visually appealing.
Use 4k
When shooting video for your podcast, it is recommended to use a camera that can capture footage in 4k resolution. This higher resolution provides more editing flexibility and allows you to crop or zoom in on specific parts of the frame without sacrificing quality. However, it’s important to note that shooting in 4k will result in larger file sizes, so be prepared to have enough storage space and a computer with sufficient processing power to handle the editing.
In terms of camera settings, it is usually best to set the white balance to a neutral value to ensure accurate colours. It’s also important to use a fixed focus, rather than relying on autofocus, and large/deep depth of field to keep everyone sharp, clear and in focus, even if they move around. Then, if you shoot in high resolution with a good camera, you can fix any issues in post-production, such as adjusting exposure or colour grading, as well as adding depth-of-field effects.
Appearance and clothing
When appearing on camera for your video podcast, it’s essential to consider your appearance and clothing. If you wear glasses, for example, you will need to be aware of potential reflections caused by the lighting setup. Adjusting the angle of the lights or using anti-reflective coatings on your glasses can help minimise this issue.
In terms of clothing, it’s best to avoid wearing stripes or patterns that may cause distortion or distractions on camera. If you are using a green or blue screen for background replacement, avoid wearing clothes that match those colours, to prevent blending into the background. It’s also a good idea to choose colours that contrast well with your skin tone and consider coordinating with your guests to create an appealing visual contrast between the host and the guests (or, at least, not clashing!)
Use a separate microphone and camera
To ensure the best audio quality for your video podcast, use a separate microphone and camera setup. While some cameras have built-in microphones, they may not capture audio with the same clarity and depth as dedicated microphones. By using separate audio and video devices, you can achieve higher-quality sound and sync them together during the editing process.
To ensure accurate synchronisation between the audio and video tracks, it’s helpful to create a reference point during the recording. Before starting the podcast, have everyone involved remain silent for about five seconds, then clap their hands. This creates a distinct audio spike that can be easily identified during the editing process, making it easier to align the audio and video tracks.
Framing
When framing your video podcast, consider the composition and placement of your subjects within the frame. For a two-person setup, it is generally recommended to have close-up shots of each person from shoulder level and above. This allows the audience to see facial expressions and emotions clearly. You should also include one or two wide-angle shots that capture both individuals in the frame to show reactions as well as to help with editing.
Rather than adding dynamism by using camera movement or zoom during the recording, focus on capturing the footage in 4k resolution or higher so you have the option of adding movement during the editing process.
If you have remote guests participating in your podcast, you have the advantage of choosing where to position their video within the frame. This allows you to keep the video engaging while minimising any potential issues with video quality or poor lighting. Experiment with different arrangements to find the most visually appealing setup that enhances the overall viewing experience.
Create an appealing set
While elaborate sets aren’t necessary, aesthetics play a crucial role in branding and viewer engagement. Consider elements like colours, props, and background visuals to create a visually stimulating backdrop that aligns with your podcast’s identity.
A great example of effective yet low-cost set design is the series Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis, where the set was simple yet memorable. Whether you know the show or not, it demonstrates how the basic set design creates the branding and fits perfectly with the humorous tone of the show, creating a visually entertaining experience for the viewers. Consider how you can incorporate elements that align with your podcast’s identity and make it more visually appealing and memorable for your audience.
Leave enough time to edit
Editing video podcasts is a time-intensive process, often requiring several hours for just one hour of footage. Trim unnecessary content, add transitions, and synchronise audio and video tracks meticulously. Developing a clear editing plan and style ensures consistent quality across episodes.
If any of that seems daunting, you can always hire a professional studio to do it for you.
Producing a podcast can be a valuable investment for individuals and businesses looking to enhance their brand, engage with their audience, and drive business growth. By leveraging the unique benefits of podcasting, you can differentiate yourself from the competition and establish a strong presence in your industry. Adding video boosts those benefits.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Olatunji is co-founder of Outset Studio, a full-service podcast and video production studio in London and Manchester. Outset specialises in pod- and vlog- casts, live streams and live shopping. The team works collaboratively with the client to make high-quality content that attracts an audience and increases engagement. Recording can be done at their studios in London or on location. Whether a client simply wants studio space or would prefer someone to manage the full production, Outset’s experienced teams have it covered.
Web: www.outsetstudio.com
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