Tips for Shooting NACo Videos

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The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we conduct business, entertain ourselves and our children and communicate with larger audiences. For NACo, it means we must find creative, engaging and meaningful ways to engage counties, residents and federal decision-makers.

Don’t Look Down

We’ve all seen it: a video or a web chat where someone is looking down at their laptop with the camera aimed up toward their nose. It’s not a flattering look for anybody, so make sure your webcam or smartphone camera is eye-level, so you are looking directly into it. Make sure you are looking at the camera and not the screen. It’s also very important that the camera isn’t shaking or moving around too much. Things like selfie sticks and Pop Sockets are great, but you can also carefully place your phone on a bookshelf or table to get a great, stable shot.

Frame the shot 

Think about how you want this to look on the audience’s screen. If you are recording on a phone or tablet device, please position your camera horizontally! Also:

• You can frame yourself in the center or slightly to the side.
• Check your background, make sure there isn't a ton of clutter behind you. 
• When positioning yourself, be mindful of items right behind you in the shot (i.e. an indoor plant with a branch that looks like it is growing out of your head)

Lighting 

The best lighting is natural light. For indoor shots, try to place yourself in front of a window, always have the window in front of you, never behind. If it's really bright, you can use curtains if they are white, or pull-down shades that are translucent to soften light. Avoid any direct overhead lighting (or doing outdoor shots between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.), because it can create unattractive shadows. 

Be Yourself

People aren’t expecting perfection, they are expecting a human. Don’t be overly scripted or stiff. Talk or look at the camera as though you are talking to a person, try to picture their face and be yourself.

What we need from you

1. Two pictures – 1) Dressed in uniform holding a We Are Counties sign and 2) Dressed in uniform without the sign.
2. Video of you in uniform lifting up the sign into the shot and smiling with your eyes. Hold that for 10 seconds. Please lift the sign up to chest level and not covering your face.
3. While holding the sign, look into the camera and say “we are counties.”

Submit your video/pictures

It’s EASY. All you have to do is click here. If you have any questions email submissions@naco.org