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There are many other small steps you can take that can make video recording with your phone easier to do:
- Budget time to experiment with your recording setup, and even rehearse a bit. Attempting to rush the process will probably make you frustrated.
- Be sure your mobile phone has enough power! If possible plug it into an adapter while filming.
- You can program external buttons to operate functions of the camera, such as the shutter (taking a picture) or the zoom function. For a few dollars, you can buy remote controls that can operate your camera via Bluetooth.
- Third-party camera apps on phones often have options to adjust how the camera behaves. These are simpler, but resemble options on DSLR or mirroless cameras: lighting management, focus, and so on. These may be worthwhile, especially if you create a configuration that works best with the area or room in which you record.
- Choose a location
- Clean your camera lens. If your mobile phone is in your pocket or hands all day, it's likely that dust and grease have accumulated on it.
- If you are unsure how to get your phone at the best height, start experimenting by setting your phone so that it is slightly below eye level. Decide if you like that, or if you'd like it higher. Move it higher in slow increments.
- If you have (access to) a camera tripod, the phone clips you might buy to use with a gooseneck arm will probably attach to the tripod as well. This offers even more options for arranging your recording space.
- In a quiet place and at a reasonable distance, your phone's microphone might sound good enough. If you'd like better quality sound, though, consider an external microphone. Lapel or "lavalier" mics that attach to your phone can be had at reasonable prices, although you may need an analog jack adapter, depending on your phone model.
- Camera settings - resolution, etc. 1080 best balance.
- If you are recording yourself, try to look at the camera, rather than your phone's screen. This helps you better establish a human presence with your viewers.
- Although tricky, given the previous advice to look at the camera, you can find apps that turn your phone or tablet screen into a teleprompter. With careful use, this can allow you to professionally deliver a script.
- If you needed to record your mobile device screen, that's also possible without additional apps: