MAKE STUFF FLY! Creating a Product Commercial at Home!

Introduction

Creating high-quality product commercials can be an exciting endeavor, especially if you have access to professional gear like high-speed cameras and motion control rigs. However, producing a compelling commercial on a budget, using a few simple tools from around the house, is entirely doable. In this article, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process of creating a product commercial from your home studio, using simple equipment, creative techniques, and some editing magic.

Setting Up the Scene

Gear and Props

To get started, you don't need fancy equipment; many items may already be lying around your house. For instance, you can use a thrift store stool, a blue screen (which can be easily found online), and foam core boards to control lighting.

Using two different background colors like blue and green allows you to key out the background during editing without interfering with your product’s label. The distance between your product and the background is crucial; keeping them separated prevents unwanted color reflection from the screen onto your product as you shoot.

Lighting

Lighting is key when it comes to product shots. For today’s shoot, we're aiming for an even, bright look to match the summery vibe of the drink being filmed. Simple foam core boards can be clamped around your setup to bounce light appropriately. This can be done inexpensively, with materials possibly costing only a few dollars at the dollar store.

Preparing the Product

To enhance the appeal of your product, a light mist of water can create a cold, refreshing look. This is especially effective for beverages, making them appear frosty and inviting.

Editing the Commercial

Using Final Cut Pro X

In editing software like Final Cut Pro X, after capturing your shot of the can rotating, you need to key out the blue background. Drag the keyer effect onto your footage, eliminating the blue screen. For elements still in your shot, the draw mask effect allows you to outline your can precisely.

Creating Motion Effects

To mimic a "flying" effect, scale your can down at the beginning of the clip, then gradually scale it back to normal size, while adding a slight rotation. This technique gives the illusion of depth and movement, especially helpful when simulating a more dynamic shoot.

While using stationary shots does limit depth, adding a directional blur effect creates a sense of motion. This small touch helps integrate the product into the commercial more seamlessly, giving it a vibrant and action-oriented feel.

Incorporating Stock Footage

To further enhance your ad, consider using Storyblocks, an online subscription service filled with high-quality stock footage. By incorporating a shot of a beach or ocean scene as a background, you create a visually enticing setting for your product.

After blending the can clip with the beach background using the light wrap effect, fine-tune the color and exposure levels for a more cohesive look. Adding life to your scene can involve creating motion in the background video, further enhancing the dynamism of your ad.

Final Touches

Enhancing the can's presence in the scene, like scaling it larger than the original size, adds to the impression of vibrancy and importance. Masking along with the background’s elements ensures your product doesn’t appear flat or out of place.

Ready for Ad

To complete your commercial, time it well, add in some text and sound effects for that professional touch, and you have a pre-roll ad ready to launch—one that clearly communicates your product's appeal while being created from your cozy home setup.

Keywords

• Product Commercial
• Home Studio
• Budget Filmmaking
• Green Screen
• Blue Screen
• Lighting Techniques
• Video Editing
• Stock Footage
• Cinematic Effects

FAQ

Q1: What basic equipment do I need to create a product commercial at home?
A1: You will need a camera (even a phone camera can work), a blue/green screen, foam core boards for lighting, and some clamps.

Q2: How do I create a professional-looking product shot on a budget?
A2: Use inexpensive materials like foam core and clamps to control lighting, and utilize video editing software to key out backgrounds and add effects.

Q3: What is the importance of the blue and green screens?
A3: Different colors help isolate your product during the editing phase, preventing colors from reflecting onto your product’s label.

Q4: How can I make my product look more appealing in a video?
A4: Adding a moisture mist to your product can make it look cold and refreshing, especially for beverages.

Q5: Where can I find stock footage for my commercial?
A5: Online services like Storyblocks provide a wide range of high-quality stock footage for you to integrate into your projects.