This is a guest post contributed by author Amanda Winstead
We are living in the age of accessible video content. There’s an abundance of wealth of opportunities for creators. If you’re making videos — whether short films or vlogs — you need to stand out from the crowd to have a chance at success. One of the ways to achieve this is to offer a dynamic range of videos in diverse genres.
This sounds expensive, doesn’t it? The good news is that you don’t need to build big or complex sets for each video you shoot. The last thing you want is to waste the audience’s time with mediocrity, so how can you present something engaging and unique? Luckily, with some smart backdrop choices, you can make videos for just about every genre you want to explore. It just takes a little strategic planning and creativity, skills you likely already have. It’s worth taking a look at some of the ways you can adapt your backdrop approach.
Functionality and Creativity
One of the keys to having a versatile video backdrop for any genre is to find ways to balance creativity with functional needs. Most people don’t have a huge amount of dedicated space to make their videos. Therefore, you need to be agile while also meeting your ambitious plans.
Wherever possible, consider what your needs are likely to be for the next six months to a year. Are there certain types of videos you’ll be focusing on? Will the types of activities taking place in the videos dictate how robust the backdrops need to be? For instance, do they need to be waterproof or easy to clean? From here, you can make versatile choices suited to your needs. It also allows you to take your time to invest in the next backdrop resources you’ll need to fit your content schedule.
If you’re uncertain of your approach, you can use foundational styles that are relatively neutral but customizable. Particularly if you’re looking to improve your space permanently, there are various options for these functional and versatile backdrops. For instance, adhesive peel-and-stick panels enable you to select not just a color or design for your backdrop aligned with specific projects but also easily switch these out as your needs develop. You can also choose themed styles for different walls in your space. You can have a soft minimalist appearance on one and a more industrial area with shelving and workspace on another. This enables you to not just switch between these as your genres change. They also serve practical between-filming functions, such as providing areas for meetings or equipment storage.
Modular and Moveable
In most instances, a single wall has relatively limited versatility for video backdrops. However, one of the ways you can help make your videos dynamic while still relatively affordable is to take a modular and movable approach. In essence, you’ll create components of a backdrop that you can easily use in different configurations. Doing so produces the illusion of variety in your videos that you can adapt to just about any genre.
Some of the ways you can achieve this include:
- Interchangeable wall panels: You don’t need to use your wall itself as the key backdrop. One way to get the appearance of a different setting or scenery is to create a range of interchangeable wall panels. You can make these with lightweight yet durable plywood that you decorate with different wallpapers, paints, or other types of decoration.
You can then hang these on your wall as needed. You don’t need to make one panel the entire background, either. Creating panels of different sizes enables you to mix and match them in line with your needs, creating a multitude of combinations. Even placing moveable dividers can give the impression of different rooms between your panels.
- Retractable screens: Retractable screens, usually made from lightweight canvas with a metal frame, are another way to easily switch out your backgrounds. You can either decorate the canvas personally or use a print-on-demand service to put your desired images onto the screens. You can gradually invest these resources in building up over time for more varied options. In addition, ensuring one of these is a green screen gives you the added versatility of editing a digital backdrop into your videos with chroma key techniques.
Remember that safety is key when using any kind of modular or movable components for your backdrops. The last thing you want is to injure performers because a panel fell on them or they tripped on a screen frame. Make certain you use strong yet practical mounting hardware for wooden backdrops. This lets you easily change them without risking injuries. It’s also wise to put tape around the floor beneath stands to warn the crew of any trip hazards.
Props and Lighting
You can achieve a lot with some creatively designed walls and panels. Too many creators overlook the potential to extend their choices even further with some well-chosen props and lighting, though. These elements can transform a relatively neutral backdrop into an agile backdrop imbued with different meanings and atmospheres.
Certainly, specific props can be associated with different genres of video. Old grandfather clocks or the occasional skull can denote gothic horror aesthetics, while bookshelves and a desk can be a good setting for academic subjects. Some easy dark lighting could elevate the effect. Alongside these relatively standard dressing elements, you can create extra variety with layering techniques. This is where you use props and other smaller set pieces at different distances from the background to create depth to your backdrop.
Similarly, the lighting you choose to use on your neutral backgrounds can give you control over the mood you want to present. Low-angle lighting close to your backdrop and props can throw long shadows to promote drama. Different colors of lights will also evoke feelings you’d like your audience to experience. Blues can suggest calmness, while yellow can denote energy. Getting some color-changing LED lights or changeable gels for your spots can support versatility.
Creating versatile video backdrops can make you a more agile content creator. It requires a bit of creative thought and strategic use of space, but you can do a lot with resources like screens, interchangeable panels, and props. You can also consider collaborating with other content creators to share one another’s backdrops. This widens the options for everyone and strengthens your industry relationships.
Image via Pixels
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