Common problems we fix
| Problem | What we do | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Shaky handheld shots | Stabilize in the edit | Smooths small shake; the frame crops in a little |
| Wind or traffic noise | Noise reduction and EQ on the voice | Clearer speech; very loud wind can't be fully removed |
| Dark or orange indoor light | Exposure and white balance correction | Better skin tones; very dark clips can look grainy |
| Clips from several phones | Color and level matching | Footage looks like one shoot |
| Wrong orientation | Rotate and reframe | Works when the subject stays in the middle |
| Long clips with one good moment | Trim to the usable part | Shorter files, faster review |
What cleanup can and can't do
Editing can make decent footage look good. It can't add detail that wasn't recorded. A clip that is out of focus stays soft, and a voice buried under music at a party can only be lifted so far. If a clip is borderline, we'll tell you before using it and suggest an alternative from what you sent.
Sound comes first
Viewers forgive a slightly shaky picture more easily than bad sound. If you film people talking, get the phone close to them, or use a small clip-on microphone that plugs into the phone. Even a second phone recording audio near the speaker gives us a cleaner track to sync.
Phone settings that help
- Use the main camera, not the front camera, when someone else can hold the phone
- Record at the same frame rate for the whole shoot
- Turn off any beauty or filter effects
- Clean the lens before you start
- Leave a few seconds before and after each take
Questions
Can you fix footage from an old phone?
Often, within limits. Send a sample clip and we'll say what's possible before you order.
Can I order cleanup without an edit?
Yes. We can clean and match a set of clips and send them back for you to edit yourself.
Clips piling up on your phone? Tell us what you filmed, what you want out of it, and where it will be posted.
Request a quote