Signature March/April 2015 - 34

ALOA SPAI Finds Success
with Video Pilot Program

Large and dangling jewelry can also
be distracting.
n■ Solid colors look best on screen.
n■ Tiepins and brooches will distract
viewers.
n■

ALOA Security Professionals Association Inc. - a Texas-based,
60-year-old organization serving locksmiths and security professionals - has created in-house videos at little or no cost on several
occasions in the past two years. For instance,
using just an iPhone, a tripod, and a low-cost
lavaliere, ALOA SPAI captured videos of exhibitors touting their latest products at its annual
trade show. The videos were part of a pilot
program to include paid video advertising in
the association's digital magazine.
"The quality of the videos was fantastic,
especially considering the affordability of
the gear used to shoot them," says Mary A.
May, ALOA SPAI's executive director. "It was
an affordable way for our association to test
out a program without investing heavily, and
it helped demonstrate the caliber of video
that we can get without hiring a professional
videographer."
ALOA SPAI used that same low-cost video
Mary A. May
rig to record video messages from the association's president, and then included these messages in its digital
magazine. "At literally no cost to us, we were able to give our president a way to communicate in a personal way with our membership," May says.
The association also includes low/no-cost videos in its mobile app,
ALOA Tech Link, which provides technical information to members.
"One of our magazine writers, who is also an association member,
uses his mobile phone to shoot videos, which then accompany his
technical articles that run in the magazine and in Tech Link," Mary
explains. "The quality is totally acceptable for this kind of usage,
and our members have access to great visuals and audio that they
wouldn't otherwise get."

Get great sound. The quality of
the built-in microphone in most
handheld video cameras is generally poor
- with a few notable exceptions - and it
can make even the best-looking video seem
amateurish. If your video rig doesn't include
an external microphone, try these tips for
getting great audio from your camera:
n■ When filming your subject, try to
stand no more than three feet away.
In other words, your speaker should
be as close to the camera as possible.
n■ The microphone works best in an
area with low background noises,
such as machines running, equipment
beeping, etc. Avoid shooting in areas
where there are loud background
noises, groups of people talking, or
overhead pages.
n■ Avoid outside settings.
n■ Plan your important recordings
during slower or quiet times, or
reserve a quiet space such as an office
or conference room.
n■ Be mindful of any white noise,
buzzing sounds from fluorescent
lights, or air conditioning vents. All
of these noises will be audible in your
video.

Stay still. Keeping the camera
steady is extremely important.
n■ Try to keep the camera as still as
possible by holding the camera with
both hands pulled in to your chest.
n■ Use a tripod, monopod, or other
method to hold the camera still while
shooting.
n■ Inexpensive table tripods are usually
available wherever cameras are sold.

Pay attention to lighting. Handheld cameras usually require additional light. Generally speaking, the
more light, the better.
n■ Use the lighting in your room to
your advantage.

MARCH/APRIL 2016

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Table-top and stand lamps can be
used as supplemental lighting.
n■ Use natural light from a window to
help light your subject's face.
n■ Do not stand your subject in front
of a bright window - it will create
a silhouette.
n■ When shooting outdoors, make sure
the sun is behind the camera operator.
n■

Find the right setting. Pick an interesting backdrop for your video.
n■ If you're staying in one place, avoid
blank walls.

Find a background that is visually interesting, but watch for anything that
might put antlers on your subject,
such as potted plants or lamps.
n■ Avoid backgrounds like mini-blinds
and small, tight patterns. These often
cause a distracting wave effect on
camera.
n■ Avoid shooting in crowded areas
because you will not be able to
control who will show up in the
background of your video.
n■

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signature March/April 2015