How to Get Started Shooting Budget-Friendly Videos on a Smartphone
April 1, 2020

Why Smartphone Video?

We’ve heard it time and time again: video is a powerhouse medium for any corporate body or organization, whether it’s used for recruitment , to promote corporate culture , or even for internal elearning. No matter what you do, or what department you’re in, video can play a heavy part.

But let’s face it: not every organization, or not every department within an organization has the budget that a larger-scale marketing campaign would be working with. Furthermore, with new videos being generated every second online, video content creation has become just as much a question of quantity as it has of quality to keep up with the crowd.

Today we break the mold and make a claim that very few – if any – other video production companies are willing to state. And that’s that videos taken from your smartphone are not as bad as some are willing to have you believe.

We’re not saying that smartphones will overtake the video industry – that’s likely not going to happen. But what Apple, Samsung and the like have provided is a chance for small companies or small divisions to bring about their creative concepts and messaging to the forefront in video. Many people already have a smartphone, which puts you right at a good starting point when before the price of high-end camera equipment was a barrier to entry.

But wait before you dash out and begin filming with your phone! Phone cameras are good quality, but so much more goes into thinking for a professional production company. Factors like lighting, sound, and shot stability, while simple on paper, are paramount to good production and should always be prioritized and considered. How each of those is controlled is through additional equipment. That may sound complicated – and more importantly, expensive. We’re here to show you that it’s actually neither. Considering you already own a relatively newer model of smartphone, the additional gear we recommend is a few hundred dollars, tops.

With that in mind, our latest quarterly newsletter video is all about these basic tools and peripherals that you should absolutely consider to boost your smartphone shooting game. On a limited budget, we can say with confidence that this is a smarter alternative to just renting or purchasing a top-of-the-line camera.

Smartphone Gear Checklist

In the video we look at:

  1. Tripod and Mounting Adapters
  2. Stabilizer (commonly named Gimbal)
  3. Microphone
  4. Lighting O-Ring
  5. Editing Software

Take the Next Step in Simple Video Content Creation

We believe great video stories and ideas should never be hindered by cost. Does the idea of being able to successfully create your own videos in-house entice you and open brand new avenues for marketing or communications? If so, our smartphone video training, along with our in-person workshops and 1-to-1 consulting, is the perfect next step to learning how to take a video concept and bring it into realization. Our live expert takes you through the preproduction process with best practices for video, and how to make the most use of the equipment mentioned to attain high-quality video content. Register now and start your journey to becoming a video production expert!

 

January 19, 2026
"Volunteer advocates are at the heart of Diabetes Canada’s efforts to bring about positive change. They represent the voice of the 11.7 million Canadians living with diabetes or pre-diabetes and speak for those who cannot speak up for themselves. Advocates help raise awareness of diabetes and the daily burden of living with the disease. They participate in Diabetes Canada advocacy campaigns and events across the country, and they help influence public policy by building relationships with elected officials in their ridings and promoting Diabetes Canada’s policy recommendations through their personal and professional networks. To support and grow this vital community, Diabetes Canada launched a new advocacy training series designed to make it easier than ever for people to get involved: Speak up & speak out Getting involved is easy Introducing Diabetes Advocacy 👉 Watch the videos and learn more here: DIABETES CANADA Bringing Advocacy to Life With Video Arc + Crown Media partnered with Diabetes Canada to help bring this important advocacy training to life through strategically designed animated videos, we helped make the training: 🎥 Clear and accessible Animation helped break down complex concepts into simple, visually engaging sequences, so viewers instantly grasp key ideas — like what advocacy is, how it works, and how they can participate. 📈 Action-oriented and motivating The pacing and progression were intentionally structured so someone watching could move from curiosity to confidence — ready to take action. Our approach ensured the advocacy training wasn’t just informative — it felt welcoming, inclusive, and empowering to volunteers from all walks of life. Why Animated Training Content Works Training and onboarding content — especially for volunteer programs and advocacy initiatives — needs to be engaging, easy to understand, and repeatable. Animation is uniquely suited to this because it lets you: Illustrate abstract ideas visually (e.g., advocacy processes, decision pathways) Keep attention with motion and visual cues Streamline complex information into digestible chapters Adapt content for web, social channels, and virtual learning platforms By combining animation with thoughtful narrative structure and live footage, Arc & Crown Media helped create a training resource that volunteers can come back to again and again — whenever they need a refresher or want to share training with others. How Arc + Crown Media Can Help Your Organization At Arc + Crown Media, we specialize in strategic video production that helps organizations educate, train, and inspire their audiences. Whether you’re working with: Volunteers Clients or customers Employees and stakeholders Advocates or community members …we can help you build animated and live-action video series that turn complex ideas into clear, compelling content. We specialize in corporate and nonprofit video production that supports long-term communication strategies, not just one-off campaigns. Organizations work with us to create: Animated explainer videos Training and onboarding video libraries Internal communications from leadership teams Culture and employer branding videos Educational and advocacy content This is especially valuable for companies and nonprofits that need to communicate consistently across departments, locations, or audiences. For many of our clients, video becomes a recurring communication asset — helping them save time, improve message clarity, and increase engagement. Here’s what we bring to every project: ✨ Message strategy & script development 🎬 High-quality animated and live action production 📊 Content designed for multi-platform use 🤝 Collaborative creative process tailored to your mission Video isn’t just storytelling — it’s a strategic communication tool that scales your training, expands engagement, and aligns audiences around your mission. Ready to Make Video Work for You? If your organization needs: Training and onboarding content Advocacy or awareness campaigns Educational or mission-driven storytelling Animated explanation videos …video can be one of the most effective ways to communicate. Looking for Animated or Training Video Production in Canada? If your organization is planning: Volunteer or employee training programs Advocacy or awareness initiatives Internal communications strategies Educational content for clients or stakeholders Professional video production can dramatically improve how your message is understood and remembered. Arc + Crown Media is a Canadian video production company specializing in animated and live-action video content for training, internal communications, and advocacy. We help organizations communicate complex ideas clearly and connect with their audiences authentically. 👉 Contact Arc & Crown Media to learn how video can support your communication goals. Arc + Crown Media creates video content that helps organizations communicate clearly, connect authentically, and scale their impact. Let’s talk about your next video project and how we can help you achieve your goals.
Group of people in a meeting around a table, laptop in the center, discussing ideas, and taking notes.
November 18, 2025
Discover how Toronto businesses can use corporate video to improve internal communication, engage audiences, and strengthen their brand with Arc & Crown Media.
Woman at desk with computer, speaking, holding keys. Camera and notebook visible.
November 9, 2025
Learn how corporate videos enhance communication, simplify complex messages, and strengthen brand identity—crafted by Toronto’s video specialists.
Woman smiles, works on laptop at wooden desk near window, plants.
April 17, 2025
Video marketing continues to be a powerful way for professional services businesses to build relationships, communicate value, and connect authentically with potential clients. With more companies competing in digital spaces, your content must be thoughtful, professional, and designed to both engage and convert. Whether you're in accounting, law, consulting, or IT services, here are ten updated video ideas to help you stand out and strengthen your corporate communication strategy this year. 1. Launch AI-Driven Personalized Video Ads AI personalization is transforming video marketing. Create short, targeted video ads that adapt messaging based on viewer behavior or segment (e.g., small business owner vs. CFO). These videos perform well on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube, and they can be dynamically inserted into email campaigns or websites for maximum ROI. 2. Share Modern Client Success Stories Customer success stories are still gold—but in 2025, authenticity and storytelling are key. Focus on emotional storytelling and results-driven narratives. Use cinematic techniques, remote video capture tools, or even augmented reality (AR) elements to immerse viewers in your client's journey and how your service made a real difference. 3. Create Explainer Videos with a Corporate Edge Explainer videos remain essential but should now reflect your brand’s tone and professionalism. Use sleek motion design and branded templates. Consider producing industry-specific explainer series (e.g., “Tax Tips for Startups” or “Data Compliance for SMEs”) to demonstrate thought leadership and value. 4. Build Interactive Tutorial Videos Interactive video is a rising trend in corporate training and communication. Add clickable elements, branching scenarios, and built-in assessments to make tutorial videos more engaging and trackable. These are ideal for onboarding clients or guiding them through digital products and service platforms. 5. Live Stream Webinars and Internal Events Livestreaming isn’t just for public webinars anymore—use it for internal comms too. Broadcast leadership updates, town halls, or team celebrations. For external use, stream panels, roundtables, or client Q&As. Tools like LinkedIn Live, Zoom Webinars, and even custom internal platforms support high-quality broadcasts with audience interaction. 6. Use Animated Videos to Break Down Complex Topics Animation is now essential in simplifying corporate messages—especially in finance, legal, and tech. In 2025, use animated explainers not just for customers, but also for internal education, investor relations, or recruitment. Keep visuals clean, inclusive, and on-brand for professionalism and impact. 7. Create Motion Graphics for Microlearning Motion graphics videos (15–60 seconds) are great for sharing insights, facts, or step-by-step guides. These snackable videos are perfect for internal communications, compliance training, or highlighting service stats on social media. Add subtle kinetic text and icons to maintain clarity without overwhelming the viewer. 8. Design Data-Driven Infographic Videos Combine data visualization with narration or music to tell data-rich stories. Whether it’s market trends, client stats, or industry benchmarks, infographic videos are now expected in quarterly reporting, ESG updates, and performance reviews. Embed them into presentations or share as social content. 9. Showcase Company Culture with Behind-the-Scenes Videos Today’s clients and talent want to work with values-driven firms. Culture videos are now strategic. Highlight diversity, inclusion, leadership philosophies, or sustainability initiatives. Follow team members through their day, show off your remote or hybrid culture, or highlight community outreach projects. 10. Launch a Thought Leadership Video Series Create an ongoing series where your executives or subject matter experts share insights on current industry challenges. Use short episodes (2–3 minutes) with strong branding, intro/outro music, and subtitles. This builds credibility, boosts SEO, and aligns with 2025’s demand for expert-led content over pure advertising. Video is no longer optional—it’s an essential tool in both external marketing and internal corporate communications. From personalized outreach to interactive client education and internal alignment, businesses in 2025 that leverage strategic video content will lead the conversation and capture more attention. Start with one or two of these video strategies and scale from there. With the right message and format, video will not only help you generate leads—it will elevate your professional brand and deepen relationships in every direction. Here are some video samples to give you some ideas of the possibilities - click here If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch. We are always happy to help :)
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