Tips for Making a Family Video

My memories of watching family holiday or special occasion video footage are not that great because the videos were all just random footage. It was almost as if the person with the video camera had no idea about the meaning of the video or how they would like it to look when it was finished. For example, the footage of my mother at Christmas in 1974 is the best but the camera zooms by so fast that I can not really see her 70’s hair do or her amazing one piece bell bottom jump suit. I have other memories of monotonous footage where the family is doing some activity like eating or just standing around talking and I can not exactly hear or figure out what they are saying. What I really want to see when I watch family videos from the past are the amazing moments that happened at the event.

Even someone who is not an expert at shooting or editing video can turn out a very memorable video if they follow just a few tips. Really the first place to start is to think about what you want the video to look like when it is finished. If you are going to be telling a story about a day, weekend or event, think in advance about the types of activities you would like to capture on film. Also, think about the timing of when things will happen so you will be prepared for each important filming opportunity.

There are some common things that people like to see in family videos but truly each family is unique. Here are some examples of things that turn out well on film and are interesting to watch: posterity- having the elders in the family talk about the past, family traditions, food if the recipe has meaning, memorable or exciting gifts, funny stories, meaningful quotes or thoughts about what the holidays mean and skits that the children might put on for the family.

How you shoot the video footage is also a very important element in making a great family video. If it is an important, once in a lifetime event, remember to bring extra batteries and tapes just in case. The first thing to do is take some shots of the setting before the family arrives. When people arrive, it is best to always set the scene with a wide shot so the viewer has a frame of reference as to where the event is taking place.

The following are ten tips to consider when filming a video:

1. Use the strategy of starting off with a wide shot then move to a mid shot and end with a tight shot. This is a great way to tell a story.

2. As an alternative, use a reverse build strategy where you start tight, move to mid and end wide. This leaves the viewer in suspense.

3. When filming children, remember to get down on their level so you can catch the right perspective and pick up their voices on camera.

4. Do not overuse the zoom feature as it can make the footage blurry and unsteady. It is safer to keep the shot wide and physically move closer to the action.

5. Try to find even light and avoid shooting into bright sources of light like a window.

6. When filming people at an event, make sure you focus on each person for the count of three so the viewer can really see each person. You can always edit out but you can not add in.

7. Speak only if you have to explain something or ask a question. There is nothing worse than having a narrator talking constantly through a family video.

8. Have a partner take some great photographs of the event so you can integrate them into the video.

9. Give the camera to one of the younger members of the family and ask them to get some footage. This will integrate an interesting perspective into your video.

10. If you are conducting holiday interviews, consider using a tripod so that the camera is steady.

If you think in advance how you want to tell the story of your family event, the rest should fall into place. In addition, family videos serve as an excellent genealogy tool for those in the future trying to learn about their past. Tackling a family video project can be an extremely fun and rewarding experience and I wish the best of luck to you in your next video endeavor.