Reddit mentions of Accmor AC-13TR 18-50-Inch Self-Portrait Extendable Monopod for iOS & Android Phone Bundle with Tripod Stand & Bluetooth Remote Shutter

I do a LOT of production for major television networks. I often have to help amateurs learn the basics for simple shoots.

Let's pretend you're using your cell phone camera (which is fine for most things like this).

Photography/Video basics:

1. Never have a light source behind you. (if you stand in front of a window or the sun is at your back then you will show up as a black blob.)
   
   
2. DO NOT SHOOT VERTICAL VIDEO. It won't showcase well on any television or computer. Plus it's hard to frame up two people vertically unless you're a mile back. If you are doing something SPECIFICALLY for snapchat or instagram then vertical is fine. Don't record the whole thing in vert.
   
   
3. Audio will be a nightmare. Plan to use music instead of the actual audio... if you find a quiet place to perform than use the actual audio from there. Have your camera person be quiet. You don't want them laughing and talking over you.
   
   
4. Shoot wide. She needs to get you and the spectator in the shot. Nobody wants just close ups of hands or heads chopped off of bodies... remember you want to see the performance AND reaction.
   
   
5. Feel free to move the camera around, but try to keep it steady while doing so. Hand-held is fine, but flopping the phone around or running to a new vantage point during a trick is bad.
   
   
6. GoPro's are great, but will be fisheye no matter what. I'd suggest a phone for maximum usability. Really only use GoPro for artsy angles once in a while. Or sit it on the edge of a table to get a super wide pov.
   
   
   
   TECH STUFF:
   
   
7. set your camera to 4K resolution and 24fps (if available). This will give you a file that is four times HD so you can crop out stuff and push in as needed to give a second camera effect. It will take up a LOT of space so dump it off of your phone at the end of each day (also make sure your phone has a lot of space left before you start filming).
   
   
8. Bring a hard drive with you. You'll fill up a laptop... bring a drive with lots of room for 4K footage.
   
   
9. Don't cut during a trick. Record for 10 seconds before you start and at least 10 seconds afterwards. You don't want to stop the video as soon as you finish. You want plenty to work with in the edit bay. Also if you cut from one camera to another during a trick it gives the viewer a spot to say "Hey, he just did some tricky camera shit." Let them see the whole performance in one take.
   
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   Buy a cheap phone grip, selfie stick, monopod, or stabilizer... It'll help with her fatigue over a 8 min trick. That's a long time to hold your arm up with a phone. These guys will wrap around poles and hang from anything. In addition having a cheap pistol grip will do wonders for stabilizing.
   
   Make sure to buy one you can attach a phone mount or GoPro to. A monopod is a great way to set up the shot you want, hit record, then babysit it without fatigue. It will wobble when you hit record, so give it a few seconds to calm down before you start. This is the best bang for your buck. It allows an unmanned view and can be used as a stabilizer AND see over crowds or over your shoulder.