 Media focal points always have to find new ways to communicate more content in less time for maximum impact. Videos are great for doing just that. They help showcase IOM's work and build the organization's brand. Creating videos has never been so easy. All you need is a DSLR camera or a smartphone, a steady hand, a few basic accessories and an idea. When creating a video, ask yourself first, what is the purpose and who is the target? And what do you want your viewers to remember? Writing down a few bullet points about the main topics you want to put forth will help you choose shots which can illustrate this most effectively. Here are some guidelines for capturing great footage. Good lighting conditions are key. Avoid harsh shadows or dark images by making sure your subjects faces are well and evenly lit. This can be done by positioning your subjects to face a window or you can film in the shade when outdoors. In harsh lighting conditions, place your subject against light surfaces like a bright wall. You can also use a sheet of white paper or a reflector to even out any shadows. Sound matters as much as images in a video story. Make sure to test the audio quality of your recordings with a set of headphones. Audio that's recorded too low tends to drown in background noise resulting in static and hum. Using an external shotgun mic can improve audio quality in most environments. For interviews in noisy or windy environments, clipping a lavalier mic to your subject's clothes will work best. Increase the visual appeal of your video by capturing a number of well-framed shots. Try to film your subjects and events from several angles to give a complete view of the scene. General wide shots are great for conveying the size and context of the surroundings while medium and close-up shots can highlight the mood onsite. Get a steady 5-10 second shot of each. This will ensure that you have enough to work with during the editing process. Emotional cues help audiences connect with the story. The most emotive stories revolve around people, so try to get footage which illustrates their point of view, environment and challenges. Interview sound bites allow the people in our stories to express what they are thinking and feeling. Try to capture action scenes which illustrate the events being described in the story as opposed to a video of someone just talking about the issue or people standing around staring at the camera. While organizational visibility is important, the use of logos should be subtle, both in the field and during the editing process. Make sure that logos don't overpower your story by placing them away from the foreground or towards the end of your videos. Remember, even though good visuals can provide great support and visibility for projects, the main priority is to ensure the well-being, safety and dignity of our beneficiaries. Make sure to get consent through a signed consent form. Try to convey your message as efficiently and briefly as possible. An average length of 2-3 minutes is enough to tell a full story and keep audiences interested, especially on social media. The first few seconds of a video will determine viewer engagement, so remember to open the video with an appealing shot and compelling captions. By projecting keywords or short phrases over images, you can help viewers better understand and remember the narrative and provide additional information. If dialogue is the most important element of your video, add subtitles. Help us keep a consistent look by using our official font, GilSan, which looks great when used properly. You have our full support, so if you have any questions or if you need technical assistance, please contact IOM's Media & Communications Audiovisual Team. Let's continue to make your good work more visible.