How to make video testimonials from afar
We’ve flown all over the world to help customers collect video testimonials. World-class surgeons discussing their go-to OR tools. Patients expressing gratitude after life-saving procedures. Marketers and visionaries introducing the latest healthcare technologies. It’s inspiring to capture these stories one-on-one, but during the pandemic, we developed a new skill: remote video capture.
Between travel restrictions and health concerns, it hasn’t been possible to head out to far-flung locations with our favorite video crews. Instead, we’ve gotten creative and developed two go-to options for recording testimonials when an in-person shoot just isn’t possible—whether that’s due to budget and timeline or a worldwide pandemic.
Remote video capture kits
If you want to come as close as possible to the quality of an in-person shoot, we recommend shipping out remote video capture kits. One of our favorite video production partners spent much of quarantine perfecting a mailable kit that serves as a mini video studio.
Picture a small suitcase that pops open to reveal lights, a camera and even a laptop that directly saves the footage—taking an unpredictable internet connection out of the recording equation. There are even legs that turn the suitcase into a table, and we typically send along a separate green screen, too, so we can drop in a background of our choosing. Think of it as an all-in-one Swiss Army Knife of video kits.
The shoot itself is conducted much like any other. We pre-interview each person, create a shooting script and produce the shoot over a video call. This gives us the chance to coach your subject through the simple kit set-up, monitor the video frames as they’re captured and conduct an interview to ensure natural—and captivating—responses. The post-production process—from intros and audio engineering to any animation—is the same as any other video.
DIY videos with a boost
Anyone can capture a video with an iPhone, but how do you get material that’s high enough quality—in content and production value—to provide value in your marketing? We find some coaching and editing go a long way to supercharge a typical DIY smartphone video.
First, a simple tip sheet can help set your subject up for success. Think of these tips as a crash course in how to make video testimonials. Just a few of the guidelines we like to share ahead of time:
Shoot horizontal (vs. vertical) video
Find a quiet spot without background noises or interruptions
Wear a solid color—no patterns or light pastels
Make sure there’s no window behind you (natural light is better behind the camera)
Don’t have any logos on display in the background or on your clothing (e.g., sports team logos, clothing brand logos, etc.)
We also coach each person through the video capture. Most of us are self-conscious about seeing ourselves in photos and video, especially if they’re going to be shared widely. To counteract this feeling, our team schedules a Zoom call so we can observe and cheerlead as video is captured. We also ask questions to help guide the speaker through his or her story. Our goal is to make it as natural as possible—like a casual conversation over a cup of coffee.
After the shoot, we work with our talented video partner to give these videos a post-production boost with color correction and sound editing. Often, we’ll do a simple animated introduction and ending to provide final polish and add in your visual branding. One interview may provide enough content for a website or YouTube video and several short social media cuts.
Can’t or don’t want to travel? It doesn’t have to stop you from capturing powerful video testimonials.
