The Filming Checklist

Setup

• Phone camera, 1080p minimum (4K if your phone does it) — no gear needed
• Vertical 9:16 for Reels/TikTok/Shorts; horizontal only for long-form YouTube
• Natural light: golden hour outdoors or garage door open behind you
• Clean the car. Seriously. A dirty build undersells a $2,000 kit
• Audio: minimize background noise; talk to the camera like a friend

The install shot list

• Unboxing / parts laid out
• The "before" from your planned reveal angle (lock this framing)
• 3–5 install moments: first bracket, the tricky bolt, panel-off, panel-on
• Hands-on close-ups — hands in frame = authenticity
• The reveal: same locked angle, then a slow walk-around
• 10 seconds of rolling footage if you can get it safely

Editing in 5 rules

1. Hook lands inside 2 seconds or you lose them
2. 15–45 seconds for short-form; cut anything that doesn't earn its second
3. Real audio moments > music-only (keep one honest struggle in)
4. Music warning: trending copyrighted audio often can't run in ads — it may get muted, rejected, or pulled (see Lesson 05). Original audio or licensed tracks keep every door open — and in car content, the exhaust note IS the trending sound
5. Caption + code + #VicrezAffiliate before you hit post