<aside> <img src="/icons/video-camera_green.svg" alt="/icons/video-camera_green.svg" width="40px" /> Welcome to Filming Your Direct VSL
In this video, we’re going to talk about how to film your VSL. You’re going to see the recording setup I recommend from cameras to microphones to lighting and more. I’ll show you different options for different budgets.
</aside>
Resources 📕
Warning ⚠️
Don’t get too hung up on the equipment and buying the right equipment before you shoot. The single most important thing is what you say in your VSL.
**Your camera, lighting, etc. does not need to be perfect for your VSL to work. If the best you can do right now is an iPhone with a lavelier microphone, do that immediately.
If you are easy to see and easy to hear that’s enough to get started.
Teleprompter 🦜
To reiterate what I said earlier in the program—I would strongly **recommend scripting your VSL word for word and recording the script with a teleprompter.
I recommend getting the Neweer X12 teleprompter (link provided in the gear list).
When you record, simply load the script into the Neweer app on your phone, slide it into the holder that’s attached to the teleprompter, and press play.
Search for instructions on YT if you need help with this.
Lighting 💡
Lighting is very important. ****You don’t want to have dark videos where it’s hard to see your face and eyes. This is going to break trust and make your VSL look scammy.
If you can set your desk up in a space that has a lot of natural light and your face and eyes are fully lit up, that’s great. Here’s a video that explains how to get good lighting for your videos.
I’d start with a key light & softbox if you don’t have a tonne of natural light and go from there.
Audio & Echo 🔊
If you have some echo, it’s not the end of the world but personally, I hate how it sounds. I recommend doing whatever you can (within reason) to prevent it and minimize it. Getting it out in post-production is extremely difficult and it sounds weird when you do.
Echo is caused by audio bouncing off of large, hard surfaces so you want to cover as many of these surfaces as you can with smaller, softer objects that will absorb sound (use things like couches, rugs, chairs, tables, desks, etc).
There’s other things you can do too, like using sound blankets and acoustic panels. Search “how to remove echo from home office” on YouTube and you’ll see instructional videos.
Microphone Setup 🎙
Personally, I use the Shure SM7B microphone with the Focusrite Scarlett Solo audio interface.
Keep in mind that this audio interface only has one input and output channel.
So if you want to do live podcasts with more than one person at some point, you’ll need a model like the Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 that has multiple input and output channels.
The Shure MV7+ is also a great option and you don’t need an audio interface to run it, you can send the signal directly to your laptop with a USB-C cable (saves money on the interface).
The SM7B is a slightly better microphone, but it’s up to you.
Camera Setup 📸
Personally, I have a Sony a7c and I’m very happy with it. It’s not at the absolute high-end of the market, but it’s an excellent mid-range camera that’s very good value for money.
Lower End → Sony a6700
Mid Range → Sony a7c
High End → Sony FX3
These are all going to get the job done, you’ll just get a better shot as you move up in price.
For your lens, you want to go with a 24mm lens. I personally use the Sony 16-35mm lens in the Gear List, but it’s up to you where you go here.
Keep in mind that camera technology will stay up to date for about 5-7 years, but a lens will last 10-20 years, as the technology is advancing slower.
So it makes sense to invest in a good lens.
Camera Tripod 📷 🎞
I’d also recommend getting a good tripod that can sit on your desk.
Personally, I’d recommend against getting the bendy ones like you see on the left below. I find it really hard to adjust it and get it set up right. I personally use this one here.
Recording Application 🔴 🧑🏻💻