Stories to Action Video Competition
Tips for making environmental videos
You don’t need a fancy video camera to make great videos – your smartphone can be a powerful tool for creating impactful environmental videos. While fancy equipment doesn’t guarantee quality, smart techniques do. You can leverage your phone’s constant presence to capture fleeting moments and enhance them with readily available editing apps.
Remember, perfection isn’t the goal. Rather, focus on clear storytelling, good lighting, and smooth, stable shots.
Here are 10 useful tips for making great environmental videos with your smartphone:
#1 Embrace Simplicity
Don’t let a cluttered background steal the spotlight from your message. Opt for clean, uncluttered spaces or use natural elements like greenery or open skies to create a visually calming environment that keeps viewers focused on your content.
#2 Light it Up
Lighting is everything in video! Shoot during golden hour for natural, warm tones. If indoors, use multiple light sources to avoid harsh shadows and create depth. Remember, good lighting can elevate even the simplest shots.
#3 Stay Shaky-Free
Shaky footage can be distracting and unprofessional. Invest in a tripod or phone stand for smooth, stable shots. If that’s not possible, brace your phone against a sturdy object or use the “lock” function on your camera app for added stability.
#4 Sound First
Viewers often forgive blurry visuals but not bad audio. Minimize background noise by choosing quiet locations, using a directional microphone, or editing out unwanted sounds later. Consider investing in an external mic for even better audio quality.
#5 Zoom Out, Get Closer
Resist the urge to zoom in digitally, as it reduces video quality. Instead, use landscape orientation and physically move closer to your subject for tighter shots. This creates a more immersive experience for viewers.
#6 Frame It Right
Composition matters! Fill the frame with your subject to avoid unnecessary space. Use the rule of thirds for a balanced and visually pleasing composition. Imagine dividing your screen into a tic-tac-toe grid and placing your subject at the intersections for a dynamic shot.
#7 Edit for Impact
Don’t underestimate the power of editing! Use tools to add music, text overlays, transitions, and even basic animations to enhance your video’s flow and impact. Keep it simple and avoid over-editing, but remember, editing can elevate your message from good to great.
#8 Tell a Story
People connect with stories. Craft a compelling narrative that showcases the problem, the impact, and the solution your sustainability message offers. Use personal anecdotes, expert interviews, or stunning visuals to engage viewers on an emotional level and motivate them to act.
#9 Know Your Why
Before you start filming, define your message and target audience. What are you trying to achieve? Who are you trying to reach? Knowing your “why” helps you tailor your content and create videos that resonate with the right people.
#10 Go Beyond Video
Think outside the box! Explore animation and infographics to add visual interest and explain complex concepts clearly. Encourage user-generated content to build a community around your message and amplify your reach. Remember, video is just one tool in your sustainability storytelling arsenal.
Create powerful sustainability videos that inform, inspire, and ignite positive change.
Good luck!
Want to learn more? See these great resources for more details:
Free Video Editing Apps/Programs
Powerful video editing apps can transform everyday devices into mini-studios!
Here are 6 top free apps across Android, iPhone, Windows, and Mac to help you create stunning environmental videos.
- Pros: Versatile with templates, titles, transitions, effects, and millions of stock assets. Regular updates with new features and content.
- Cons: May have a steeper learning curve for beginners compared to other options.
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Pros: Considered the best overall for both beginners and professionals, offers a clear interface and compatibility with Premiere Pro on desktop.
- Cons: Limited free export options without a subscription.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
#3 InShot
- Pros: Ideal for quick edits, compilations, collages, and photo edits. Offers fun features like stickers, text overlays, and template-based transitions.
- Cons: Limited advanced editing capabilities compared to other options.
- Platforms: Android, iOS
#4 FilmoraGo
- Pros: Feature-rich app for quick social videos with various editing tools and fun effects. Easy to create shareable videos.
- Cons: May have watermarks or export limitations in the free version.
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Pros: Powerful free app with advanced features and no export restrictions. Suitable for creators who want more control and professional-level tools.
- Cons: May be overwhelming for complete beginners.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS
#6 CapCut
- Pros: CapCut stands out as a top video editing app with its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, offering professional-quality editing without watermarks.
- Cons: CapCut lacks advanced editing features compared to premium software.
- Platforms: iOS, Android
Example Videos
In the world of talking about the environment, videos are still a really powerful way to teach people, get them interested, and motivate them to do something. If you want to make videos that make a difference, it’s a great idea to look at some successful ones for inspiration.
Here are 5 great environmental videos that show just how powerful storytelling, creativity, and smart messaging can be when it comes to talking about sustainability.
This video tackles that head-on! We get exclusive access to the Sun itself for a fiery interview, debunking myths and revealing its fiery take on human impact and climate change. Get ready for science, humor, and a scorching truth you won’t want to miss! (Permission granted to share the heat!)
This video lets you meet Melinda, a talking chin on a mission! Join her and BFF Melinda as they explore the gross & real impacts of food waste. Witness chip-flushing tragedies, supermarket-peeing pranks, and cake-smearing chaos, all leading to a crucial lesson: food waste is serious business! But fear not! Melinda also discovers solutions like volunteering to save food. Buckle up for an emotional journey with The Climate Chins, supported by NEST Studio for the Arts!
Sidney Wollmuth retells climate change stories through “Thanks Khemours”. In “Thanks Khemours,” Sidney Wollmuth uses storytelling to shed light on the impacts of climate change on communities around the world. Through personal narratives and vivid imagery, Wollmuth brings attention to the urgent need for action in addressing this global crisis.
Reality’s a simulation, but the humans are messing it up! Climate change throws intern supervisors into chaos as they scramble to save Earth. Every intervention fails, humans defy the script! Can they survive this glitch, or is the simulation doomed?
#5 Thawsaurus
The video “Thawsaurus” introduces a clever email plugin by the same name, Thawsaurus, which acts as a language coach. It identifies outdated phrases, like “snowed under”, “glacial pace” or “boiling the ocean”, that might be confusing for younger generations, and dubs them “fossil phrases.” The aim is to encourage us to know these outdated terms that reflect the urgency of the environmental crisis. By embracing tools like Thawsaurus, we can actively contribute to building a more sustainable future, one conversation at a time.