5 Tips to Create That Killer RIB Video With Your Smartphone

A killer RIB video with a smartphone? Absolutely!
A killer RIB video with a smartphone? Absolutely!

Smartphones offer a great way to capture amazing videos with their ever-improving camera quality. While many people are hooked on their phones, they often don’t realize just how powerful the device in their hands is for shooting videos. Here are five tips to help you create an amazing video with your smartphone that many will love.

So you’ve bought a RIB and you want to share the experience of RIBbing using videos.

1. Keep it Short!

Keep in mind who your audience is. While this may come as a surprise to you, the longer your video is, the more boring it gets. I’ve also made that same mistake with this 7 minute GoPro video. I bet you’ll be clicking away before it’s over.

5 Tips to Create That Killer RIB Video With Your Smartphone @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
Videos can be boring: you like it but will your audience feel the same…

While you are immensely passionate about your RIB and the trip you’ve been filming, viewers aren’t necessarily. Some people may watch your video even as a courtesy.

Unless you’re creating a documentary movie keep in mind that a video of 1 to 2 minutes, 5 at max is a good concept.

According to research only 45% of viewers are still watching a video after one minute. So don’t lose your audience and engage them within the first 30 seconds.

You have reached your goal if the audience wants to replay your video. Advertising videos usually use 30 seconds to give out the name of the product and mention it about three times (at least).

2. Always Film Horizontally (landscape)

We see a lot of smartphone footage, quickly shot while holding the device vertically (portrait). It doesn’t do credit to the subject at all.

Holding your smartphone horizontally (landscape) gives that much sought after cinema feeling. It makes it also much more easier for you to focus on the subject.

Imagine seeing a movie like Star Wars filmed vertically. It will make you sick and you will stop watching it.

3. Buy a Gimbal

So far so good but if you really want to make a difference, buy a smartphone gimbal. I found an amazing one on the DJI site. A good gimbal is independent from the smartphone brands and dimensions.

I find that this device is super easy to get used to and it makes the quality of my videos so much better.

Especially when you’re on a moving RIB keeping your smartphone steady is nearly impossible. This results in jerky footage spoiling the experience for your audience.

A gimbal compensates these movements and vibrations and your video will look stunning.

Remember that the selfie camera is usually of lesser quality than the camera on the back.

4. Want More? Use Video Editing Software and Royalty-Free Music

Don’t forget to start your video with a title and eventually mention your name and the year.

End the video with music credits, the year you’ve created the video and if you like it give a possibility to contact you. You can use an e-mail address for instance.

If you want more and really want to impress your audience, you can edit your footage with video software.

There are free editors and others in all kinds of price categories.

I you can afford it and don’t mind taking some time to master it, I’d go for Final Cut on a Mac or Adobe Premieren Pro.

Luckily there are other video tools like Movavi (Windows or Mac) and Pinnacle (Windows only) to get the job done, as well.

Movavi has a nice range of video editor tools. It’s fairly easy to use and deliver quick and very nice video results. Pinnacle I’ve used in the days when Hi8 video was a real breakthrough.

I now use Adobe Premiere Pro.

Make sure to save your video as an .mp4. This format can be played on many devices.

5. Music

Sometimes music has added value if you use the right genre that enhances the image and takes the ambiance to a higher level. Know that ambient noise can also create that effect.

Paying artists for their art is a no brainer. Always include them in the end credit, description and let them know you use their music.

Some artists give their work away freely. It’s still great that you mention them. You can find them here, among others:

If you want just that little bit more, check out Shockwave Sound. Yes, you have to pay but the advantage is that you can select a full music track or even nicely derived shorter versions at a lower price. I was really impressed with the quality.

Don’t forget to read the license agreement carefully. Royalty-free music doesn’t necessarily mean you can use it anywhere.

Extra: 7 actions absolutely not to do

5 Tips to Create That Killer RIB Video With Your Smartphone @ RIBs ONLY - Home of the Rigid Inflatable Boat
Watch out for these pitfalls.

There are many things that are so easy to fall into, if you don’t stay on your toes. So absolutely avoid these things:

  • Talk a lot while filming (unless you’re interviewing someone)
  • Pan from left to right and back
  • Pan from bottom to top and back
  • Lean on a railing while on board and filming
  • Make sudden movements
  • Use every video transition in the editor
  • Use a lot of special effects available in the editor

I hope that these 5 tips will help you to create that killer RIB videos for us all to enjoy!

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