How to create self-shot videos

Find out how to make high quality self-shot videos for YouTube that are accessible to everyone.

Filming guide

When filming self-shot videos for YouTube, there are a few things to know to make sure your content is the best quality possible.

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 across your recording will help us in the edit.

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

Make sure you:

  • have enough light on you and your immediate environment by filming during the daytime
  • use as much window (natural) light in the room as possible to create a pleasing image, paying particular attention to how the light looks on your face
  • sit facing the window, adjusting your angle and distance to it to find the position that is most pleasing.
  • don’t sit with your back to a window (if there’s no other option than to film with a window behind you, then close the curtains/blinds)
  • use table lamps and other fixtures to light your face if your environment is too dark
  • beware your your computer or laptop screen: it’s a good source of artificial light, but what’s on the screen will create the colour of the light hitting your face.
  • Video framing checklist

    Videos with good framing:

    • have a neutral background
    • are well-lit by natural daylight
    • are centrally framed
    • have the camera at eye level.

Sounding your best

Make sure you find a quiet space to record, ensuring that you will not be disturbed by anyone else during the time you plan to film.

  • Close windows and doors to minimise any outside sounds being picked up on the camera’s microphone.
  • Put your phone in silent mode and disable any system or application notifications on your computer that create audio alerts.
  • Listen carefully for any noises where you are filming that might be picked up by the microphone such as washing machines, noisy boilers or fans, etc.
  • Listen out carefully for any of these issues when you do your initial test recordings.

Choosing what to wear

Dress in exactly the same way you would on any standard day. Avoid any prominent logos or words such as slogans.

Don't wear anything with fine stripes or checks. This creates a jittering effect when recorded 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 2 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.

Why we need to make self-shot videos accessible

When creating self-shot videos for YouTube, it’s important to consider accessibility to ensure that everyone, regardless of any impairment or disability, can engage with your content.

This is to help create a truly inclusive and accessible experience for all, but it also required by law.

Find out more about digital accessibility and the law.

Creating accessible self-shot videos

To make an accessible video for YouTube, you can follow the guidance below.

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 add subtitles manually or upload them.

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 while this is happening or fill the space with music. 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, you must ensure they are clear and easy to understand. This is so that someone who is living 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.

Ensure you meet colour contrast requirements

You must also ensure any text that is placed over a colour background (such as wording on presentation slides) meets colour contrast requirements. This means that there is high contrast between the text and background.

You should also avoid using colour alone to convey meaning. This is so that people with certain visual impairments, such as colour blindness, can understand your content.

To do this, you must ensure colour contrast meets 4.5:1. You can use colour contrast checkers online such as WebAim to check. You can also use our accessible brand colours.

Include transcripts if you can

At Sussex, 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.

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