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Tips for Videotaping Your Invention

InventHelp presents "Tips for Videotaping Your Invention," a list of the steps inventors should follow when filming a prototype.

1. Keep it brief
You are not shooting a feature film. The finished video should be a minute or less. The shorter the better. If you absolutely need longer than a minute to adequately demonstrate your invention, then take it. Just keep in mind that attention spans are short. Why do you think most commercials are 60 seconds or less? Any longer than that and people tune out. If your invention is extremely complicated or requires a lengthy demonstration, you can make a longer video, but it should never eclipse 5 to 10 minutes in length.

2. Define the problems your invention solves
If possible, show and describe how an activity is performed without your invention and the problems that result from it. Show and describe how your invention solves these problems.

3. Features and benefits of your invention
Show the invention and point out its main parts and features. Describe how the invention functions as a whole and how the parts work together.

4. Show the invention in use
Show the invention in use solving the problems pointed out in the first segment. Concentrate on showing the specific benefits and improvements over the status quo. Explain and show how your invention solves the problems.

5. Go by the book
Read the user manual for your video camera and video editing software. Also, plan for what you want to do. Determine the best place to shoot your video, who might act in your video and ways to demonstrate what you want. Also, gather everything you'll need so it's ready and available.

6. Tapes, Video CDs, DVDs
If you don't have access to a computer with video editing software and a disc burner, use a VHS tape. DVDs and VCDs are the wave of the future, but not everyone is comfortable using them or set up to use them on their computer. This is rapidly changing, but if you use a VHS tape, just about everyone will know what to do with it. If your capabilities include burning video CDs or DVDs, this gives you a choice that you can offer the people to whom you are sending your finished video. If you are sending a VCD, video tape or DVD to a different country, be sure to use the standard format for that country.

7. Be Choosy
Select the best person to speak about the invention (your spokesperson). As the inventor, you are likely to be that person. But if your brother happens to be the next Denzel Washington, give him a script and watch him go to town. Likewise, select the cameraperson who does the best handling the camera. Again, if it's your camera, you or a family member is likely to be that person.

8. Practice, practice, practice
Both the spokesperson and the cameraperson should practice their respective roles before filming begins. The spokesperson should be familiar with the lines and the cameraperson should be familiar with the camera and any movements he or she will have to make while filming. Then the spokesperson and cameraperson should practice together.

9. Before and After
Run the video camera for an extra second or two before and after each shot. You can edit out what you don't want later, but this ensures that you will get the entire shot you do want.

10. Use a tripod
If you can get your hands on a tripod, use it. Unnecessary motion in the camera frame distracts the viewer and may cause motion sickness. If the viewer is distracted or nauseous, they are not paying attention to your invention. If no tripod is available, the cameraperson should brace themselves against another stable surface like a wall or a chair. If the cameraperson must move while recording, movements should be as slow and smooth as possible (and it should have been practiced beforehand).

11. A note about the zoom feature: Don't use it while recording
One of the most common mistakes amateur videographers make is overuse of the zoom feature. Zooms are usually too fast, cause unwanted camera movement and are not pleasant to watch. In a movie, television show or commercial, if you see the subject of the shot getting closer, its probably the camera getting closer to it (a move called a "Dolly Shot"), not the operator using a zoom lens. The zoom button is best used to frame shots while the camcorder is paused. Zooming while filming can also make your audience motion sick. If you must move closer to your subject while recording, carefully move the whole camera. The effect is much different and more inviting to watch.

12. Lighting
Always use as much light as possible, but never use a strong light behind the object you are filming. This creates a silhouette effect. Also do not position your actors with their face toward the sun, this causes them to squint.

13. Do a background check
In video, there are two types of background: audio and visual. The kind you hear and the kind you see. Be aware of background noises that may distract your audience like stereos, televisions, children or lawnmowers. Visually, pay attention to everything in your shot, particularly stuff other than the subject. Check the foreground and background to make sure there aren't any distractions in the frame and remove excess clutter.

14. Consider your angle
When shooting video you have a sphere of angles around the subject from which to shoot. You can record while looking up at a subject, or down, from the side, in front or behind. Amateurs commonly hold the camera only at eye level. Even if further editing is done, everything is still at eye level and can get visually tedious after a few seconds. Try this, if recording children, seated adults or an invention intended for use at ground level, crouch down to that level. Also try the same shot at different angles – from above, below and both sides.

The most important thing to remember is to have fun. With a little planning, the taping should go off without a hitch, and everyone should have a good time.

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