In a previous article on creating UGC ads, we explored the top 3 things never to miss when requesting footage from creators. Now, here’s a look at some of the things to check for after receiving the footage.
1. Quantity check – You should have everything the way you want it
This may sound obvious and – dare I say it – superfluous! But since it’s super critical for the next few steps, it must be mentioned. Here are the things you need to look for.
- Are all shots, dialogues, and B-rolls present?
- Have all directions been followed? This includes camera angles, attire, background, expressions, etc
- Do you have multiple takes of the shots?
2. Quality check – The footage should be exactly as you need it to be
Creators will always bring their own touch and interpretation to the script. But that doesn’t mean the quality of the shots gets compromised. Here are some of the things that you must check.
- Lighting: Is the creator’s face and body well-lit? Is the content on the device screen they show to the camera properly visible and not over or underexposed? If there is a light source behind the creator, does it overwhelm the frame edges?
- Framing: Is the creator properly framed – not too close or too far from the camera? Do their hands leave the frame when they gesticulate? Is the screen close enough to properly view the content?
- Background: Is the background too busy or too empty? Are there any elements that should or shouldn’t be there?
- Audio: Is the audio clear, with no background noise? Does the volume of the creator’s dialogue fluctuate wildly (this can happen if they’re being very expressive or moving away/towards the camera)?
3. Green screen check
This could have been included in the previous bullet points, but it’s important enough to merit its own section! A health check of green screenshots is critical to ensure that the designers don’t tear out their hair trying to correct the shots!
- The green screen should be evenly lit and not wrinkled or creased.
- The creator’s hands or body should remain within the frame at all times. There’s nothing worse than a hand or arm getting cropped because they moved out of the frame.
- The creator should not have used automated AI tools or tools baked into the recording app to remove the background, as this will never look as crisp and clean as when it’s done in professional video editing software.
4. To reshoot or not to reshoot
Don’t be afraid of asking for reshoots in case any of the shots don’t adhere to your expectations. After all, the video has to represent you and your brand correctly. Here are a couple of things to remember while requesting a reshoot.
- Be as specific as possible about what the creator needs to change.
- Provide a reason why you’re requesting the reshoot. Most often, it is simply a matter of a different interpretation on the creator’s part.
- Provide a reference from another video or footage, so that the creator knows exactly what to do.
This checklist should arm you with all you need to ensure you have the best possible footage to create high-impact UGC ads. If you’d like to know more about how we at Rocketship HQ go about implementing all of this, hit us up!
