2022
Planning to apply to Connect Live 2019? You’ll have to submit a video along with your application responding to one of our prompts—and we can’t wait to watch them!
These videos help us learn more about you and your interests. However, we know that not everyone feels comfortable being in front of the camera.
To put you at ease, we asked our Video Producer @MollyMo to share her best advice for creating a great Connect Live 2019 application video. Check out her tips below.
1. Select one video prompt
This year, we’re giving Local Guides three prompts to choose from. Choose one of the following and keep your response to approximately 60 seconds:
- Tell us about your favorite place and what makes it special.
- What’s one thing you want everyone to know about your community?
- Why are you proud to be a Local Guide?
Please note: Videos longer than one minute may not be viewed.
2. Be yourself
We’re interested in learning about you, so be as creative or as low-key as you want while giving us a glimpse into your personality. Don’t worry about adding sound effects, video transitions, or graphics if video production is new to you. You must appear on-camera, speak in English, and answer a prompt, but do so in your own way!
3. Wear something comfortable that makes you feel confident
You may also want to remove items like hats or sunglasses that can cast a shadow on your face.
4. Assess your surroundings
An ideal background is clean and pleasant. Lighting is important and natural light works best. Make sure you’re not backlit by a large window or light shining into the camera. Position yourself facing a window or another light source to ensure the lighting on you is bright and casts an even spread across your face.
If you’re filming on location, try to avoid places with loud ambient noises such as rushing water, water fountains, loud subways, or street traffic. Check light and sound levels by taking a few seconds of test footage before you start your application video.
5. Compose yourself in the center of the frame and leave a little headroom
A good rule to follow is to have the camera positioned at arm’s length. If you’re using a smartphone, tapping where your face is on the screen before recording will ensure that you’re in focus. Make sure your camera is facing you straight-on rather than angled up at you from below.
6. Keep the camera stabilized
If you’re using a smartphone to record, consider propping it on a flat surface like a stack of books or a box. You can also use a tripod if you have one.
7. Control the audio
Do what you can to make sure your surroundings are quiet. Eliminate noise by shutting windows or doors and turning off noisy electronics. Be mindful that microphones can pick up noises like fans or tapping fingers on a desk. You may want to use a USB or bluetooth microphone if you have one.
8. Film in landscape
Make sure your smartphone or camera is positioned horizontally instead of vertically. This maximizes the screen space.
9. Submit your video carefully
We may never watch your video if the link is submitted incorrectly. Applicants must submit their video as either a YouTube or Google Drive link. You can submit a listed or unlisted YouTube link or link to a video stored on Google Drive that is accessible to anyone with the link.
If you’re using YouTube, you must submit the link provided once the video is posted. Do not share the link created while the video is in production. The production link cannot be viewed by anyone other than you.
If you’re submitting a video on Google Drive, copy the link generated after you click Share in the top right corner. Be sure your share settings are set to Anyone with the link can view.
Remember to submit your video before applications close on April 30, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. UTC. Visit the official Connect Live 2019 application site for more information.
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