Capturing great video at an event doesn’t have to mean big cameras, long lenses and broadcast-level audio. Most comms teams only need two things: a clear plan and a well-used smartphone. You won’t get a clean recording of the keynote speeches without specialist kit, so don’t try. Focus instead on what the phone is brilliant at: capturing the flavour of the day through strong b-roll and short, engaging interviews.
Here are five simple, practical tips to help you film better event content with your phone.
1. Use a microphone for interviews
Good sound matters more than anything else. A small clip-on microphone or a plug-in shotgun mic will transform your interviews and voxpops. It reduces background noise, boosts clarity and lets people speak naturally without shouting. If you only invest in one accessory, buy a mic. It gives you the confidence to film interviews anywhere – lobbies, corridors, outdoor spaces – without losing quality.
2. Capture fast, clean b-roll (and avoid seasick viewers)
B-roll is your best friend at a busy event. Keep your phone handheld so you can move quickly, but hold each shot completely still. Get close to the action: conversations, note-taking, people eating lunch, interactive sessions, hands on keyboards, badges being scanned, group discussions.
Use a simple shot sequence such as three shots (wide, medium, close-up) or five shots (add over-the-shoulder and point-of-view). Hold each for 5–7 seconds. This gives you more than enough to cut a lively edit with constant visual interest without the wobbly guided-tour footage that makes viewers feel confused and slightly seasick.
3. Pick an interview backdrop that sells the event
Getting the right backdrop is a balancing act. A quiet meeting room gives great sound but tells the audience nothing about the event. Your visuals matter, especially for short-form video, so don’t hide away.
Choose locations that show the atmosphere without overwhelming your audio. Ideas:
- The lobby during a break
- Outside the venue entrance
- An auditorium with empty seats behind your speaker
- A corridor with event branding or signage
The trick is to find a moment when it’s not too busy and to use your microphone so the background noise doesn’t take over.
4. Keep interviews short, emotional and visual
You’re not after detailed case studies – save that for another day. For event content, short emotional soundbites work best. Try prompts like:
- “Give me three words to describe today so far.”
- “What’s been your favourite moment?”
- “Tell me what you’ve just done and what you’re heading to next.”
If people describe specific activities – the keynote, a breakout session, lunch, networking – you can match those comments to the b-roll you’ve already filmed. That creates a smooth, story-driven edit.
5. Plan before the event starts
A little planning saves a lot of stress. Decide:
- Who you want to interview
- Where your best backdrops will be
- What moments you want to capture (arrivals, workshops, breaks, lunch, closing moments)
- What you want your final video to look and feel like
Even a simple shot list keeps you focused and stops you leaving with hours of random clips and no clear story.
With a phone, a small mic and a clear plan, comms teams can create strong, engaging event videos that show the energy, learning and human moments that matter.
If you want support with this, you can book me to film your next event or join my smartphone video course to build these skills in-house.
