{Video} Meet Terence: “I had to start cheap, make do, which was a great way to learn”

Today we feature a South African dad blogger! His name is Terence Mentor and you can find him at AfroDaddy Online.

 

1. How did you get started with the videos?

A few years ago I wanted to create content that focused on fatherhood and parenting, and I foolishly thought that making basic videos would be easier than writing a blog. I was VERY wrong.

 

2. How much time do you spend in creating videos and how often do you upload?

It really depends on the video. Sometimes I just take a quick selfie video with my phone and post that – but other times I’ll think about a video for a few days, shoot for about 20 minutes and edit for 1 to 3 hours.

 

3. Tell us about the equipment you use for video: camera, lighting, background. If possible give us some pictures.

I currently use a Canon 650D with a 50mm lens, on a tripod that is balancing on three stools for a bit of extra height (a higher shooting angle hides my second chin). Up until recently, I was using 3 cheap LED security lamps attached to PVC pipes for my lighting and a cheap lapel mic plugged into my phone for recording audio.

I had to start really cheap, which was actually great because I had to learn how to make do – which is a great way to learn the basics of lighting and audio!

 

4. Which room do you shoot in?

I shoot in my lounge with the kitchen has a background.

 

5. What editing software do you use?

Blackmagic Da Vinci Resolve – it’s free and super powerful!

 

6. What tips and tricks have you learnt with editing? Is there a checklist of things you do?

Good audio is extremely important – people are more likely to be annoyed by bad sound than by bad video quality – so make sure you sound good!

If you are recording audio separately to the audio on your camera, remember to clap 2 or 3 times at the beginning of the video to make syncing the video and audio easier when you edit.

 

I find that if I shoot the video, I need to edit it right away while it is still fresh in my mind. Otherwise it takes so much longer.

 

It can be really hard as a vlogger, because you are generally shooting, directing and presenting yourself. So you have to keep a lot in your head while shooting, but if there is one thing you can’t forget it is this: Smile! It feels strange, but it makes you feel more approachable on camera.

 

7. Is there any video guru you have used as a resource, or a mentor you admire?

There are a lot of bloggers who I try to emulate, but the main thing they have in common is that they all just got started with whatever they had, while also continuing to try to improve their craft.

 

8. What has been your most successful video and why?

I made a video titled “Why the “Dads Don’t Babysit” Movement is Kinda Dumb”. I think I gave a fresh perspective to a fairly controversial topic.

 

9. What are brands looking for in this medium?

More and more I find brands are looking for authenticity and uniqueness over huge reach. So, I guess you should try to be yourself and focus on what is different about you.

 

10. What is your advice for a newbie person who wants to get started with making videos?

Just get started. You will definitely be not as good as you would like to be. Get started anyway. Use your phone, an old camera. Anything. Just stop thinking about doing the thing and do the thing.

Check out our other posts in this series:

Sasha-Lee: Unboxing videos with Prima Toys.

Sharon “Lighting is everything”

Olerato “Take the leap and polish your skills along the way”

Sam “I avoid brand collabs unless I can choose the direction.”

Would you like to feature on this video series? Email heather@samomblogs.co.za.

If you found this post interesting please share it with your friends and remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram and join our awesome group called Mommy’s Me Time.