How to create self-shot videos
Find out how to make high quality self-shot videos for YouTube that are accessible for everyone.
Filming guide
There are a few steps you can follow to film high-quality self-shot videos for YouTube.
Setting up your phone or camera
Try to be seated, ideally in a chair that doesn’t swing around too much or wobble. Keeping your position as consistent as possible will help us edit your recording.
If you’re standing, don’t use your arm to hold the phone. Either find someone to hold it for you or place it somewhere solid.
Keep the camera lens at eye level.
Setting up your recording space
Lighting and framing is important. Make sure you:
- film in the daytime to capture plenty of light, using as much window (natural) light in the room as possible to create a pleasing image
- sit facing the window, adjusting your angle and distance to find the right position
- are centrally positioned in the frame with a neutral background
- check how the light looks on your face, using lamps or reflective surfaces to evenly light your face if your environment is too dark
Try to avoid:
- relying on your computer or laptop screen for artificial light; what’s on the screen will create the colour of the light hitting your face
- sitting with your back to a window – if there’s no other option than to film with a window behind you, close the curtains or blinds.
Sounding your best
Make sure you find a quiet space to record, ensuring you will not be disturbed when you film.
Do a test recording and listen out for anything picked up by the microphone, including any:
- outside sounds from open doors or windows
- internal noises, such as washing machines, noisy boilers or fans, etc
- interference from notifications or alerts on other systems that you can easily disable.
Choosing what to wear
Dress in exactly the same way you would on any standard day. Avoid any prominent logos or slogans.
Don’t wear anything with fine stripes or checks; this creates a jittering effect on camera, known as moiré.
- Giving a great performance
- Relax your body and shoulders, take a few deep breaths before you start.
- Smile, especially at the start of the video.
- Look at the lens, not yourself. It’s very easy to watch yourself as you speak but imagine the person you are talking to is the lens. This makes it come across as more personal and authentic.
- Slow down and talk a little slower than normal.
- When you finish talking, keep looking at the camera for at least two seconds before stopping the recording. This will give you the chance to have a clean ending rather than seeing you reach over to stop the recording
- Practice!
- Record the first take and watch it back. It may take a few attempts before you have a recording you’re happy with.
- Aim for a ‘one take wonder’ recording. Don’t worry if you need to pause to look at notes or check something, this is meant to be natural.
Making self-shot videos accessible
When creating self-shot videos for YouTube, it’s important to consider accessibility to make sure everyone, regardless of any impairment or disability, can engage with your content.
This helps create an inclusive experience for everyone, but it is also required by law. Find out more about digital accessibility and the law.
Add subtitles
Subtitles are essential for viewers who are deaf or people who are in a situation where they cannot hear (such as a temporary ear infection or in a noisy environment).
YouTube allows you to .
You can also use YouTube’s auto-captioning feature. Make sure you manually review and edit them for accuracy. To do this, you will need to use your own private YouTube account and then save the .SRT file and send it to our Video Manager with the video.
Provide audio descriptions
Audio descriptions describe non-verbal actions happening on screen, such as important visual elements or settings.
You can add audio descriptions to your video by describing visual elements while you are talking. For example: “I’m showing an example of a student’s work. The student who is studying Product Design has produced a concept prototype of a chair out of clay.”
If you’re filming yourself carrying out an action, such as showing how to access a file on a computer, describe each step you are taking. Don’t allow silence or try to fill the time with music while this is happening. Someone who is visually impaired won’t be able to understand what’s happening on screen.
Use clear and simple visuals
If you’re using visuals in your video, such as graphics or slides with wording on them, make sure they are clear and easy to understand. This is so someone with a cognitive disability can understand your content.
To do this, use large, readable fonts and make sure any on-screen text is easy to read by spacing it out and not including too much information. Don’t using complicated graphs or tables in your video: there may be a better place for this content, such as an accessible webpage.
Meeting colour contrast requirements
Make sure any text placed over a coloured background (such as wording on presentation slides) meets colour contrast requirements. This means there is high contrast between the text and background.
You should also avoid using colour alone to convey meaning. This is so people with certain visual impairments, such as colour blindness, can understand your content.
Colour contrasts must meets 4.5:1. You can use colour contrast checkers online such as to check.
Include transcripts if you can
At 名媛直播, videos embedded on our site pages always have a transcript.
We don’t currently add transcripts to our videos on YouTube. However, if you feel this would benefit your audience, and to fully comply with the law, you can go ahead and provide a text version of your entire video. This includes speech, non-verbal visuals, and interactions.
You can either include a transcript in the video description on YouTube or link to an accessible document.
Find out how to write a transcript.