Steve Stockman's book, How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck: Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro
covers the non-technical aspects of making short videos that are watchable. The book is organized into very short topic/chapters of typically less than five pages.Some of the basic tips: Hold the camera still and use a tripod if possible. Shoot in short five to 10 second bursts. Watch a typical TV show like the Big Bang Theory. The camera rarely stays fixed on one shot for more than five to ten seconds before cutting to a shot from a different angle. Whole scenes are typically less than five minutes.
I found his tips to be helpful. I've begun using multiple camera angles and tripods for shooting training videos. He also recommends adding music to a video to increase interest and to create an emotional impact. Often using music that emotionally contrasts with the subject matter will will make the final product better.
Steve Stockman posts examples of his video tips on a companion website: Videothatdoesntsuck.com/
How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck - 3 min.
