For those unfamiliar with the term, motovlogging is a combination of events that result in a video posted publicly, usually via a dedicated YouTube channel, that contains recorded footage shot from an action camera mounted on a motorcycle, helmet, or some combination thereof and accompanying narration.
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Step One – Have a Plan
It’s very easy to go out and start producing video but the end product is not going to be very good, it will look like most home movies in a jumbly sort of fashion, and it will be quite boring in a few seconds. That’s because there is no story being told. A good video, even if put together by an amateur, has a story to tell. And that story comes from planning.
Professional videomakers start with a brainstorming list, a set of bullets of what should happen in a video. That then translates into a storyboard, basic artwork, almost like a cartoon strip, of what happens from scene to scene. There can be hundreds of these boards for a few minutes video. Most beginners don’t go to this level much less storyboarding, but some kind of story planning is necessary to give a video structure. It will pay off when done filming.
Step Two – Understand the Format
Vlogging is just a video version of blogging. So each video, like a blog page or diary page, is a small story that needs to encapsulate a particular topic. To get a smooth production, it helps to write out the idea to become the v-log first. Get the idea down on paper, edit a bit, and make sure you have all the big points to be said covered. Now you have a script for your next video.
Step Three – Equipment
Clearly MotoVlogging requires specific equipment. You will need, of course, a motorcycle or scooter to talk about or ride during the video, or both. You will also need a portable camera that can take the necessary video but doesn’t get in the way, particularly if you’re the one doing the riding. For active face and travel filming, two cameras are necessary with the appropriate mounts. Go-Pro equipment has been the most popular with handlebar mounts and helmet attachments, as well as microphones. These digital cameras are literally made for filming, narrating on the, and then sharing digitally later on through universal data connections.
You will also need a computer, or at least a laptop with good video editing software and an Internet connection. Apple has long been the mainstay for serious video types, but their PCs tend to be the top of the price range. There are good PC laptops and desk machines as well. Whichever the choice, make sure to have a good size screen with high detail capacity, plenty of RAM, and a very big hard drive as well as USB sockets for flashdrives and connections. Serious image and video work takes a lot of processing so cheaper equipment will slow down tremendously.
Step Four – Practice and Get Advice
No one became an Oscar-winning videomaker in one day. Sure, there are some one-offs were a video camera was in just the right place. However, consistently producing good video and narrating it too takes practice and a lot of work. Get used to the equipment, riding and filming, talking and doing all three. Practice with a lot of video doing different work too. You want to get to the point that the equipment becomes second-nature, your attention is entirely on the script and topic because you naturally just know how to start, adjustment and use the equipment. When you get to this point, you will realize a far smoother production. Things won’t be as jumpy or quirky. You will also have a good understanding of how to film as well as talk, relaxing and letting the material flow instead of sounding fake or cheesy.
Getting advice and pointers from accomplished Vloggers is also highly-recommended as well. Many have made mistakes and are quite willing to point these out. Understanding and avoiding their goofs can save you a lot of money and wasted time building off expert knowledge.
Finally, don’t give up. Good quality video work takes time and effort. As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
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