…Make a better Internet video

By Levi Sumagaysay

For every jewel, there are countless shaky, forgettable Internet videos floating around. But if you want to be a better director, here’s how to channel your inner Steven Spielberg.

1. Be a production tyrant Pay attention to lighting. Make sure your subject doesn’t have a bright light right behind him or her. Make sure the background is simple, so you can concentrate on the subject. Be finicky about the noise level. Don't let your audience hear crying babies, slamming doors or fire truck sirens in the background. Keep the camera steady by keeping your hand steady. Better yet, buy a tripod.

2. Don't upload everything you've shot Many amateur videographers (and photographers) make the mistake of thinking more is better. They're wrong. Less is better. Don't upload all the dead space or the shaky moments -- or when the video picked up the sound of your ringing phone. Edit your video before you share it with the world. Use Windows MovieMaker, Apple's iMovie, or buy software like Final Cut Pro. Also, because there are so many videos out there, most people won't have too much time to spend watching yours. So make it short.

3. Optimize for the Web Think small, because a movie that's too big won't upload quickly or might load on a site incorrectly. Cut unneeded frames or reduce their dimensions. Encode or compress the video using editing software. Who will be viewing your video? Knowing your audience can help you decide which format, such as MPEG-2, AVI or MP4, is best. You want your video to be compatible with as many players as possible. Decide if you want your audience to be able to watch it on their iPods and cell phones as well as their computers.