Five Low-Cost Tools to Make Pro-Quality Video
I've been working as a videographer, journalist, producer, and/or college professor since the mid-1990s. In all that time I've had access to awesome video equipment. Unfortunately, the expensive and cool equipment I use on the job is owned by the companies or the university for which I've worked.
Like many of you, my personal budget for video equipment is superseded by higher priority things like a house, cars, food, kids, etc. So, is it possible to make professional-quality videos on a budget? Below are five low-cost tools that I recommend to produce pro-quality videos.
#1 Camcorder
I've been a fan of the Canon Vixia series of camcorders for years. When I started teaching at a college, we had a ridiculously low budget for equipment. The camera we found to be durable enough to withstand the use and abuse of college students while being capable of producing broadcast-quality video was the Canon Vixia.
I've had a Canon Vixia HF R10 for years, however, that model has been discontinued. A current budget-friendly model is the Canon HF R800. For around $200 you can have a very serviceable camcorder that shoots video in up to 1920 x 1080 at 60i and a has a mic input.
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| Canon Vixia HF R800 Available on Amazon for $199 |
#2 Lavaliere Microphone
The sure indication of amateur video is poor audio. Some will spend all their budget on a camera and try to get by with the on-camera microphone. Audio is just as if not more important than the video quality. You can pick up a good wired lavaliere microphone for under $50. To get professional quality and the convenience of wireless you'll have to spend a bit more. However, the Audio Technica Pro 70 will get you the quality you want at under $150.
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| Audio Technica Pro 70 Available at Amazon for $129 |
#3 Lights
You can get by with limited lighting, however, a low-cost light kit can really improve the look of your videos. A light kit with three lights will allow you to set up three-point lighting for interviews. A light kit is also handy for shooting video or photos of products.
I have a lighting kit similar to the one pictured below. The light stands and umbrellas are not as durable as what you'll find in a higher priced professional kit, but if you take care of it, this kit will serve you well and keep a few bucks in your pocket.
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#4 Backdrop
Finding a location for interviews with a non-distracting background can be a challenge. Combining the light kit above with this portable backdrop will help make interviews and on-camera presentation look more professional. The backdrop pictured below is lightweight and easy to pack around. It sets up in just a few minutes and can hide an uninteresting or dull background.
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Emart Photo Video Studio 10Ft Adjustable Background Stand Backdrop Support System Kit with Carry Bag Available at Amazon for around $32 |
#5 Editing Software
It is easy to get caught up in the bells and whistles of professional video editing software. I've certified in Final Cut Pro and Avid Media Composer and taught Adobe Premiere Pro for years. However, when it comes to basic video editing there are a lot of low-cost options. My favorite is WeVideo.
WeVideo is a web-based online video editor. The free version leaves a watermark on your videos. The paid version starts at just five dollars a month for a year's subscriptions. With the paid version, the watermark goes away and features like green screen capability, a decent library of music and sound effects, and a graphics package are available.
One downside with the five-dollar-a month version is the limit of exporting at a maximum quality of 720p. The eight-dollar-a-month version supports exports in 4k Ultra HD. WeVideo is easy to learn and very intuitive. WeVideo has a number of well-produced training videos to get you started quickly.
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| WeVideo is an online video editor that supports up to 4k resolution |
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