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Based on research conducted by technology companies, the audience for online cooking shows and tutorials has increased by nearly 300 percent in just one year. Videos related to food are part of the top 10 most watched online videos, making it an avenue for many to get into. If you are a foodie or chef inspired to start a cooking channel or vlog, here are some tips to help you get started on your first cooking demo recording.
Itemize Your List
First things first. What will you demo? Is it a single dish or a complete meal? Take some time to think about what you will be creating. Once you’ve figured it out, make a list of all the ingredients (also known as your market list), kitchen tools and equipment that you will be needing. This also includes your costume or attire, any backdrops, props and ingredients for substitution that you might want to show in your video. Make it as detailed and as specific as possible so that you lessen your trips to the shop and avoid wasting time.
Create Your Storyboard
After you’ve decided on the dish or dishes that you will be cooking, it’s time to work on the theatrics of your video. Will you have a comical script or an informative how-to type of demo? Create a storyboard with the steps of your recipe, so that on the day of video taking you avoid cuts, cross edits and retakes. When you have completed your storyboard, you may opt to do a trial run at home so you can test out the timing and observe the entire flow of your demo.
Choose Your Location
The next step is to choose a suitable location for your shoot. If your home kitchen cannot accommodate your shoot, opt to search for a cooking studio for rent or even a co-working space that can be converted into a kitchen. When looking for a space, look for one that is well lit and suits your overall theme. It might be helpful to also find a kitchen for rent wherein they assist you with the cleanup afterward. Having a previous trip run is also helpful so you know how long you will be renting your desired space.
Set Your Equipment
On the day of filming, keep your cameras and microphones steady with the help of tripods and stands. Any additional lights that you might be using should be properly positioned. Before you begin, procure some test videos so you can see if everything is in place the way you want them and to find out if your voice is heard well enough. When everything is adjusted to your preference, keep in mind to get good coverage and to zoom in to get close-up shots. And don’t forget to keep calm, stay confident and have a blast while filming!