We all shoot video with our smartphones, but most of us aren’t trying to make 
the next great Oscar-winning film. We’re just trying to capture moments that 
are important to us, or footage that we think will resonate with others. 
 
There are a lot of little things you can do to make sure the video you shoot 
with your smartphone is something worth watching. So here’s a starter guide 
to the basic kit you need to ensure that you’re shooting the best video that 
your smartphone allows. 
 
● Quick Release Tripod Mount​ - £30 
● Rode VideoMicro Microphone​ - £40 
● BOYA Lavalier Microphone​ - £12 
● Rode TRS to TRRS Patch Cable​ - £9.50 
● Joby Gorillapod (Magnetic)​ - £39 
● Manfrotto LED Light​ - £60 
● Hot Shoe / Screw Adaptor​ - £11 
● USB C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adaptor​ - £8 
(if required for your phone) 
 
If you want to interview people (great for testimonials on your website) then the 
BOYA BY-M1DM Dual-head Lavalier microphone​ for £27 would be a good 
addition to this setup as well. 
 
To really make your video pop, upgrade the lens on your mobile phone. Check 
out the lenses from ​Moment​ (the Wide or SuperFish lenses are probably best 
for vlogging) and one of their mobile phone cases which you will need to 

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attach the lens to your phone body. Moment do a ​Starter Set​ for US$150 which 
is great value. 
 
Moment shot a short video about creating content for YouTube which 
contains some great tips and you can see it ​here​. Go with the setup above 
instead of the one that they suggest, as you will need a light source at some 
point and the Gorillapod will give you more flexibility than a standard tripod. 
 

 
 
But if you want to go completely overboard, you could purchase a ​Zhiyun 
Smooth 4 Gimbal​ (£109) which will stabilise the phone as you move and give you 
almost professional quality video footage. 
 
Make sure you get a ​Hot Shoe Adapter Ring Mount 
(£17) so that you can mount both the Rode VideoMicro 
microphone and the Manfrotto LED light from the 
basic setup on the previous page on the Smooth 4 
Gimbal. 
 
Pair the Smooth 4 with ​FilmicPro​ (€12) on your phone to 
up your game to an almost professional level. Filmic 
Pro is a video app that contains features normally 
found on standalone cameras. The app has pro-level 
features that enable you to do things which the stock Camera app on your 
phone just can’t do, such as manually changing the frame rate and shutter 
speed. 
 
Whatever you do, get filming and creating content. The more you practice, the 
better you will become but, most importantly of all, have fun! 

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