Three out of four audience members prefer watching videos over other types of media. According to a report by Forbes, users spend 88% more time on websites with videos. Getting the most out of video requires both grabbing attention in the first 8 seconds AND maintaining it throughout the video.

Scene composition and camera shots are an oft-overlooked but powerful techniques to keep viewers engaged. Delivering the right balance will help you keep their eyes and brains tuned to your message.

If the script or key takeaways for your video are already established based on your marketing or learning and development goals, no problem!  Without rewriting the script, here are ways to immediately improve your videos’ engagement score.

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Pro Tip #1: Deliver quick visual action every 3-5 seconds

No one wants to watch something that feels stale. Too-long videos, too much text with no fresh visuals, or emotionless voids are all turn-offs to your viewers.

Top YouTubers often employ quick scene cuts at least every 3-5 seconds to maximize engagement in their videos. Without changing your message, script, or VO, simply adding frequent camera cuts can create exciting visual action to keep your viewers watching.

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Pro Tip #2: Apply specific camera shots to illicit emotions

Extreme wide

Also called an establishing shot. Often used at the beginning of a video, this helps your viewer understand the scene’s location and context.

Wide shot

Also called full body shot. This puts equal emphasis on your subject and environment.

Mid shot

Shows details of the actual subject, usually from the waist up, emphasizing the subject more than the environment.

Medium close up

Typically upper body to show more emotion and details of the subject.

Close up

Keeps the focus on the characters head and face. Use this to create connection with the speaker and viewer.

Extreme close up

Brings intensity to the scene, use to achieve comedy, tension, or heightened emotion.

Over the shoulder

Peeks over the shoulder of the person in an interaction. Great to use to show two people engaged in conversation.

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Tip #3: Use the rule of thirds hack

Some scenes, despite interesting subject or action, are just less visually interesting. Others grab our attention, even without much action. Why? It comes down to scene composition. If you keep this simple rule in mind, you’ll see your video engagement rise.

Divide a frame into thirds horizontally and vertically, so there are 9 equal parts.

Place your main objects and subjects along or within the lines and at their intersections.

For closeup, the top line of the 3rd should be in the eye area. This focuses on the eyes of the character.

Look at how this frame provides much more visual interest, context about the character, their attitude, and their focus at that time. Compared to this frame, where your eyes don't have much story or context to grab onto other than the character's face.

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Aquifer’s custom camera feature allow users to choose the perfect shots to feature their products, brand mascots, and custom avatars for marketing and learning and development content. It’s super easy with the Aquifer app to create face animations, body movements, and “film” CG scenes in minutes.

Be aware of scene composition to get more viewers hooked on your video. Use Aquifer's custom camera feature to make it quick and easy for you! https://www.aquiferplatform.com/blog/three-ways-to-immediately-increase-video-eng

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