Today I report on a recent cat cafe smartphone movie adventure which lets me show you how your own improve your movie skills and help a local company, product or rescue at the same time.

My local cat cafe had to do an emergency cleanup that caused them to close their doors for a few days. When they reopened I was keen to report that it was business as usual for the cats who were keen to welcome visitors once again.

The video aims to showcase of the fun you can have at the cafe and celebrates the commitment of the cafe’s fans. Join me for coffee and a cat biscuit and let’s talk about how the movie was made.

Smartphone Movie Fun in a Cat Cafe

How was the video shot?

The video clips were all taken on my iPhone 6s and later dowloaded into ScreenFlow on my Mac where I could add a few more elaborate transitions and a quality soundtrack.

Use the editing software you have It might be iMovie or FilmoraGo or ScreenFlow. I am learning ScreenFlow for my teaching videos so using it to practice seems a good idea.

So, how did I get on with my celebration video?

• Enjoy the soundtrack? See why I add music to my movies here.

Tips When Shooting in a Public Area

I set out with an aim; to capture a busy cafe once again buzzing with people and activity and like anyone shooting video, I had to be aware of where I was. The cafe is a public space which can raise privacy issues.

[A person might not want to be filmed for a number of reasons from simple shyness to hiding from domestic abuse. Always respect anyone who asks not to be filmed.]

If you check my video, you will see that I am careful to show visitors from the back or side, or very low down. The focus was on busy activity, not individuals.

It was also fun to realise that I had caught myself filming the back of someone who was also videoing cats on their smartphone!

Telling a Smartphone Video Story

There are more ways to show your busy venue or exciting event than just recording crowds of people. I used some of the following tips for my own smartphone video:

• Move in close for a variety of fun shots showing animals, hands or products, and don’t be afraid to try something a bit different or extreme. You might be lucky and capture a fantastic shot and really lifts your film.
• Fragments of conversation can add an extra layer of interest. Listen when reviewing your clips for anything you can use. In my movie the cafe chatter adds a warm ambience bubbling underneath the soundtrack.
• You can achieve some easy and fun shots by filming at ground level. Don’t be afraid to try moving low as I did with the cats at play here.
• Think different and see if there is a staircase to give you height for a unique downward view.
• Pointing sharply upwards or downwards can catch a new view. I held my smartphone against the door to catch the cat playing in peek-a-boo at the cat door.
• You can zoom in with your smartphone but remember to either do it slowly (if you mean to keep the video clip unedited) or stop – zoom – restart. Better still, zoom with your feet.

Creating and Uploading a Smartphone Movie of an Event

You have two choices for getting your movie up online. Both are valid options.

Editing on a smartphone app gives you speed and the excitement an event created ‘as it happens’. Editing on a computer allows you to sharpen your message using sophisticated software, a music library and a large screen.

Editing your movie in a smartphone app

If you want to get your event up online fast then use a smartphone video editing app like Videoshop or Adobe Rush.

• Keep your video message focused and simple
• Make it short. A one minute video fits Instagram as well as Facebook and Twitter. Don’t stress about specific formats if you are working at speed.
• Add simple transitions and/or music you have permission to use (optional). Be copyright conscious at all times.
• Add text explaining what and where the event is.
• Upload online (preferably a local wi-fi network not a data plan)

Edit Your Movie on a Computer

If you have more time available you can download your video clips to a computer and make the most of a fully-featured software package, as well as a larger screen:

• Review the clips you have recorded. There will be shots you immediately identify as good ones that really speak about the event.
• Assemble the clips in your software’s timeline to capture your impressions.
• Focus on the impact of your message. The cat cafe story balances a busy crowd with plenty of feline interaction. The message? This is a fun place a visit.
• Add text, transitions, and details to place your video on context.
• Upload to YouTube like our channel, or Vimeo.

NOTE A finished video in either format will change as your skills with a software package develop. You will be able to create a good video anyway but knowing the software gives you an edge. Invest time and patience in the software you use. Most people successfully learn as they go with YouTube videos and website tutorials.

A Fun Smartphone Movie Super Tip

Incorporate a purchased clip and dazzle your viewers with an eye-catching start using the talents of experts in the video industry.

You can buy a clip that seizes your audience and rushes them headlong through hyperspace, flies them over a city at night or sweeps them dramatically through a frozen rocky landscape.

The clip might cost a few dollars but it will make your viewers take notice. Envato has a good selection to start you off. All you do is add it at the start of your timeline. Just like our delicious steaming cup in the video!

Announce Your Video on Social Media

Don’t forget to announce your video on your social media channels where it will be appreciated most. People who could not attend with love a glimpse of the atmosphere and people attending will love the memories you captured for them to relive later.

Think about the kind of event you attended where a video would have been fun to create. Where would you make your video?