Filming from above: how to do it and what you need

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Filmen van bovenaf: zo doe je het en dit heb je nodig

Want to make videos where people can follow along? Then filming from above is a great idea! This is ideal for explainer videos and demonstrations, as well as cooking and unboxing videos. This blog post explains how to create these kinds of videos and what equipment you'll need.

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Supplies

For a top-down video, you'll need the following: a camera, lights, a microphone, and something to mount your camera and lights on.

MOJOGEAR Swift Fotostatief 175cm met monopod voor Camera en Smartphone - Grote statieven

Camera

You can use either a regular camera or your phone's camera for overhead filming. Once you've set the position, make sure the camera focuses on your hands and what you're doing, rather than the back of your head. Also, be careful not to include your head or the back of your head in the shot too often.

Keep in mind that cameras sometimes malfunction or run out of battery. Regularly check that the camera is still recording. You can prevent the battery from draining while filming by charging your camera. Consider using multiple cameras so you can record your video from different angles.

MOJOGEAR Lumi Bicolor LED-lamp 6.5W - Mini - Cameralampen

Relief

The viewer needs to be able to clearly see what you're doing, so good lighting is crucial. For most videos, a bicolor light is best, as it provides the best standard lighting. If you want to use strong red, green, or blue light (for example, for an ASMR video), an RGB light is a better choice.

After setting up your setup but before you start filming, test the lighting intensity. In a dark room, you'll likely need more light than in a windowed room where you're filming during the day. See if you're happy with how well you hold your hands and the objects you're using.
can see.

The MOJOGEAR Lumi light is an excellent choice for overhead filming. It's available in various sizes (Mini, Medium, and Max) and in both Bicolor and RGB.

7RYMS Rimo S1(UC) 2.4G Dual-channel Draadloze microfoon USB-C -

Microphone

There are two ways to go about audio: you can record while you're working, or you can record a voiceover afterward. If you want to wear a small microphone on your chest, a wireless microphone or a lapel microphone are best. If you're recording a voiceover afterward, it's best to use a microphone of the highest possible quality.

However, we notice that even a cheap wireless microphone
Whether a lapel microphone makes a world of difference: whether you are recording live during filming or recording a voice-over afterwards.

A good product we offer for this purpose is the Ulanzi J12 Wireless Smartphone Microphone USB-C . It's easy to use and attaches easily to your shirt, keeping both hands free.

Confirmation

To get a good, stable image, it's important to use a mounting method. This also has the advantage of leaving both hands free for what you're showing in the video. Below, we've listed several products you can use for the best mounting methods.

  • MOJOGEAR 179cm 3-in-1 camera & telefoon statief: driepoot, monopod & horizontale arm - Grote statieven

    MOJOGEAR 179cm 3-in-1 Camera and Phone Tripod

    This tripod is versatile and suitable for many different types of images. The included horizontal arm is ideal for
    filming from above. This tripod can be adjusted from 58 cm to 179 cm high.
    set up, so you can film at almost any desired height. This way you can
    choose to only include your hands and activities in the picture, or
    precisely the whole including your head.
    Click here to view these in our webshop.

  • VIJIM LS08 Statief met tafelklem en arm (driedelig) - Vaste statieven

    VIJIM LS08 tripod

    with table clamp and arm (three-piece)

    This tripod is ideal for videos filmed at a table. You can clamp it to the edge of the table, keeping it out of the way. Because it uses working arms, you can also place it at the side of the table instead of directly in front of you, giving you plenty of room to move your arms freely. The working height ranges from 26 cm to 96 cm, perfect for filming up close at work.
    Click here to view these in our webshop.

  • Telesin MagSafe Smartphone neck mount extra groot - Sky Blue - Telefoonhouders

    Telesin magnetic neck mount

    This is ideal for filming from your perspective. With a neck mount, you give the viewer the impression they're doing exactly the same thing as you in your video. The Telesin magnetic neck mount is available in two versions: for your smartphone
    Or for your GoPro. Perfect if you want to show your viewers an original angle!
    Click here to view these in our webshop.
VIJIM LS08 Statief met tafelklem en arm (driedelig) - Vaste statieven

How do I get started: a step-by-step plan

Step 1: Think about what you want to make

The most important thing is to know what your video will be about. This allows you to make different choices in your setup, or use a different type of camera or lighting.

Step 2: Make sure you have all the supplies

Now that you've decided what kind of video you're going to make, it's a good idea to consider what you'll need. Do you only want footage of your hands and what you're doing, or do you want to be in the frame as well? This can make a difference in the number of cameras or the type of lighting you want to use.

MOJOGEAR 167cm 3-in-1 statief: driepoot, monopod & horizontale arm - Grote statieven

Step 3: Create the layout

Once you've gathered everything you need, you can start setting up your setup. How many cameras do you want to use, where and how do you want to position the tripods, and how will you light the video? These are all things you'll need to consider.

Step 4: Check if everything works

Sometimes people forget to check if everything is still working, especially if the batteries are still full. You don't want your camera to shut down mid-film and have to start over. So plug it in or make sure it's fully charged before you start.

Ulanzi Topshot overhead Ringlamp met statief Ring-10 - Ringlampen

Step 5: Time to film!

It's finally time to film! Turn on all the equipment and start filming. Now you can record the video and perform all the actions you want to show your viewers.

Step 6: Assembly

Once you've recorded all the footage and audio files, it's time to edit the video. You might want to remove, speed up, or loop some parts. It's also a good idea to add some soft background music to create a pleasant atmosphere.



MOJOGEAR 179cm 3-in-1 camera & telefoon statief: driepoot, monopod & horizontale arm - Grote statieven

Step 7: Ask for feedback

When your video is ready, it's a good idea to invite friends
Or ask family for feedback. Perhaps you missed a few things during editing, or they might have some good tips to make the video even better.

Step 8: Share it with your viewers

All the finishing touches have now been added, so the video can be shared
Connect with your viewers! Upload the video to all your active channels: the hard work is done!

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