How To Film Effective Smartphone Content For Professional Use
In today’s hybrid work environment, creating professional-looking video content using a smartphone has become not only acceptable but often preferred for speed and flexibility.
Whether you’re contributing to an internal campaign, filming a testimonial, or capturing a training message, the quality of your smartphone video can make a huge difference in how your message is received.
At Sliced Bread Lite, we regularly work with mobile footage and see firsthand what separates usable content from content that causes costly rework. Here are some key tips to ensure your smartphone videos look and sound great - the first time around.
1. Film in Landscape, Not Portrait
Always turn your phone on its side so you're filming in landscape orientation. This ensures your video fills the screen when played on laptops or presentation screens. Portrait footage may look fine on a phone, but it results in large black bars on either side of the screen during playback, which reduces visual impact and makes editing more difficult.
2. Use the Rear Camera for HD Quality
The front-facing (selfie) camera on your phone captures video at much lower quality than the rear-facing one. To achieve full HD (1920x1080) resolution, use the rear camera and ensure you're filming at the highest setting available. Lower-resolution footage like 568x320 may appear pixelated, especially when included in edited compilations.
3. Frame Yourself Correctly
Position yourself in the centre of the frame, with a balanced amount of space above your head not too much, not too little. Avoid placing yourself too low or too far from the camera. A neutral background helps avoid distractions and keeps the focus on your message. Think of how a professional interview looks - tight, centered, and composed.
4. Prioritise Clear Audio
Good sound matters just as much as good visuals. Stand close enough to your phone that the microphone can clearly pick up your voice. Avoid filming in echoey rooms or noisy environments - even subtle background noise can make your message hard to understand. Using a quiet, controlled space will instantly improve your video’s perceived quality.
Final Thoughts
With just a few simple adjustments, you can drastically improve the quality of your smartphone footage - saving time in post-production and making sure your content has the professional edge it needs.
At Sliced Bread Lite, we take your smartphone footage and turn it into clear, engaging, and on-brand video content. Whether it’s for internal communication, training, or campaigns, following these filming best practices will ensure we can deliver the best possible results for you.
