How to Film UGC Content

Ready to film high-quality User-Generated Content that brands actually want to use? This hands-on guide walks you through every step, from understanding a brand's needs to capturing professional-looking video with just your phone. We'll cover pre-production planning, simple gear recommendations, and the step-by-step process for filming content that converts.

Deconstructing the Brief: Before You Hit Record

The single biggest mistake new UGC creators make is jumping straight to filming without fully understanding the assignment. A great video starts with a deep dive into the brand’s creative brief. This document is your map, telling you exactly what the brand wants to achieve. Spend time here to save yourself from a frustrating reshoot later.

As you read the brief, look for these specific elements:

• The Core Pain Point: What problem does this product solve for the customer? Brands don’t sell features, they sell solutions. Your video's job is to show that solution in action. For a skincare brand, the pain point might be acne or dry skin. For a productivity app, it might be disorganization or missed deadlines.
• Key Features &, Talking Points: The brief will list specific product features or benefits the brand wants to highlight. It might be the “all-natural ingredients” of a face cream or the “one-click scheduling” of a software tool. Weave these points naturally into your script. Don't just list them, show them.
• The Call to Action (CTA): What do they want the viewer to do after watching? "Shop Now," "Learn More," "Download the App." Your entire video should build toward this goal. The CTA is usually the final line of your script and should be clear and direct.
• Target Audience: Who are you talking to? A video for busy moms will have a different tone and setting than one for college students. The brief should give you an idea of the persona you’re addressing.
• The Vibe and Tone: Is the brand fun and energetic, or calm and luxurious? Look for keywords like "relatable," "aspirational," "witty," or "educational." Match your performance, editing style, and music choice to this feeling.
• Mandatories & Restrictions: This part is non-negotiable. It includes things you must say or show and things you absolutely cannot say or show (like competitor logos or making unverified claims). Ignoring these is the fastest way to get your content rejected.

Once you’ve deconstructed the brief, outline a quick shot list or a script. This doesn’t have to be a word-for-word screenplay. Bullet points of your key messages and a list of the different scenes or angles you need will work perfectly. A little planning goes a long way.

Gearing Up: You Only Need Your Phone (And a Few Extras)

Forget the myth that you need a thousand-dollar camera to create amazing UGC. Your smartphone is more than powerful enough. What truly separates amateur-looking content from professional content is stability, lighting, and sound - all of which can be dramatically improved with a few affordable accessories.

Hardware Essentials

• A Smartphone: Any modern smartphone made in the last few years will shoot excellent video. The key is learning how to use it properly.
• A Mini Tripod: Shaky footage looks unprofessional. A simple, flexible tripod for your phone is a must-have piece of equipment. It keeps your shots stable and frees up your hands for demonstrating the product. You can get a great one for under $25.
• A Lavalier Microphone: Clear audio is just as important as good video. If your viewers can’t hear what you’re saying, they’ll scroll away. A simple wired "lav" mic that clips onto your shirt and plugs into your phone will give you crisp, clear sound and costs very little.
• Good Lighting: You don’t need a full-on studio setup, but you do need good light. Natural light is your best friend (and it’s free!). A ring light is a fantastic, affordable backup for filming on overcast days or at night.

Setting the Scene: Crafting the Perfect Shot

Where and how you film is crucial for creating authentic, visually appealing content. The goal isn't to look like a slick commercial, it's to look like a real person sharing a genuine recommendation in a familiar environment.

Find Your Light

Lighting is everything. The best camera in the world will produce a grainy, unpleasant image in a dark room. Always aim to film your main "talking head" scenes facing a source of light, not with the light behind you.

• Use a Window: The simplest and most effective technique is to stand facing a large window. The natural, diffused light is incredibly flattering and makes video look clean and high-quality.
• Avoid "Overhead" Lighting: Ceiling lights often cast harsh, unflattering shadows under your eyes and nose. Turn them off and rely on your window or a ring light positioned in front of you.
• The Golden Hour: If you're filming outside, the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset provide a gorgeous, soft golden light that’s perfect for video.

Pick a Clean Background

Your background should complement the scene, not distract from it. The product is the star of the show. Before you hit record, take a look at what’s behind you through the camera lens.

• Keep It Tidy: An unmade bed or a messy pile of laundry in the corner instantly sends a message of unprofessionalism. Tidy up the area that will be in your shot.
• Choose a Relevant Environment: Film your UGC in a spot that makes sense. A skincare product works well in a clean bathroom or on a bedroom vanity. A new coffee blend feels right at home in the kitchen. This adds a layer of authenticity to your video.
• Don’t Overdo It: You don't need a full-blown set. A simple, aesthetically pleasing corner of your home is often more effective and relatable than an overly staged-styled background.

Frame Your Shots

How you position yourself and the product in the frame can make a video feel dynamic and professional or static and boring. Most UGC is for social media, so always film videos vertically (in a 9:16 aspect ratio).

Use a variety of shots to keep your video interesting:

• Medium Shot: This shows you from the waist up. It’s perfect for your talking-head segments where you’re speaking directly to the camera. It feels personal and conversational.
• Close-Up/Detail Shot: This is a tight shot that highlights specific product features, like the texture of a cream, the steam coming off a hot drink, or the satisfying click of a cap. These shots are great for B-roll.
• Action Shot: Show, don't just tell. Film yourself unboxing the product, using the app on your phone, applying the makeup, or drinking the coffee. Show the product as an integrated part of your life.

The Filming Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

You’ve done the prep work. Your script is ready, and your scene is set. It’s time to film. Follow these steps for a smooth shoot.

1. Clean Your Lens

This sounds almost too simple, but it’s the most important first step. Your phone lens gets covered in fingerprints and pocket lint, which can make your footage look hazy. Give it a quick wipe with a soft cloth before every single take.

2. Check Your Settings

Open your phone's camera settings. Make sure you’re recording in at least 1080p HD at 30 frames per second (fps). If your phone supports it, shooting in 60 fps can give you the option for smooth slow-motion effects, and 4K provides extra detail if you have enough storage. Turn on the grid overlay to help you frame your shots using the rule of thirds.

3. Be Yourself on Camera

Authenticity is the heart of UGC. Don't try to be a news anchor. Speak like you’re on FaceTime with a friend who asked you for a genuine recommendation. Smile, use hand gestures, and let your personality show through. It's okay if you stumble over a word - just pause and start the sentence again. You can edit it out later.

4. Film in Clips (and Get Lots of B-Roll)

Don't try to record your entire video in one perfect take. Industry pros almost never do this. It’s stressful and inefficient. Instead, film in short, manageable clips. Film one part of your script, stop recording, and then film the next part. This makes editing much easier.

Most importantly, capture plenty of B-roll. B-roll is any supplemental footage you film that isn’t you talking to the camera. It’s used to visually illustrate what you’re talking about and makes the final video far more dynamic.

B-roll shot ideas:

• Slow-motion pour shots.
• Close-ups of the product packaging.
• You smiling and looking happy after using the product.
• A screen recording of you using the brand's website or app.
• Picking up the product from a shelf or taking it out of a box.

Film at least 2-3 B-roll clips for every major talking point in your script.

5. Nail the First 3 Seconds

You have less than three seconds to stop someone from scrolling past your video. Your opening, or "hook," needs to be strong. Start with a visual that generates curiosity, like an unboxing or a dramatic before-and-after. Or use a verbal hook that speaks directly to a pain point, like, "Stop making this mistake with your coffee" or "I finally found a concealer that doesn’t crease."

6. Record Clear Audio

If you're not using an external microphone, get as close to your phone’s built-in mic as possible. Film in a quiet room, away from noisy appliances, traffic, or pets. Close your windows. The cleaner your audio is, the more professional your final video will feel.

A Few Quick Editing Tips

Though this article focuses on filming, the process isn’t complete without a little post-production polish. You don’t need complex software, mobile apps like CapCut and InShot are beginner-friendly and incredibly powerful.

• Keep it fast-paced: Trim out any pauses or dead air between sentences. Social media audiences have short attention spans.
• Add Captions: A huge percentage of people watch videos with the sound off. Adding on-screen text makes your content accessible and helps your message land every time.
• Use music responsibly: Add a trending track at a low volume if it fits the brand's vibe and is allowed by the brief. A subtle music track playing underneath your speaking can improve retention. Otherwise, select non-commercial, royalty-free music.

Final Thoughts

Filming high-performing UGC doesn’t require a Hollywood-level budget, crew, skill, or an expensive camera setup. By focusing on preparation, good lighting, clear audio, and telling a genuine, authentic story, you can create compelling videos using the equipment you already have - the tool that's in your hand.

Once your content is ready, the next step is planning your social calendar to show it off to brand partners across the internet. We built Postbase to make this part painless, especially for the busy, video-first creator. Our platform lets you schedule UGC Reels for Instagram, posts for TikTok, and Shorts for YouTube, all from a single visual calendar. It’s a dependable way to plan, schedule, and analyze your content without the usual headaches that come with using outdated, clunky tools.