[Competition Coverage] How to Get a Higher Score in Preliminary Round Videos: Sound Recording, Camera Work, and Lighting

The preliminary round, in video format, has one unique feature: the judges can only get to know your child based on one video recording. The same level of performance can sound worlds apart depending on how well or poorly recorded – not because the judges are unfair, but because background noise, echoes, and out-of-focus shots can truly drown out the music itself. The good news is that this stage requires no professional equipment; you just need to do a few preparations before pressing the record button. Below is a home video recording guide you can follow.

First, confirm three things before recording.

Many re-entries are actually due to overlooking certain information. Before you begin, take five minutes to check the following three items.

• Groups and time limits.Different age groups have different performance time limits, and the length of the selected pieces must match (see table below).
• Have you practiced the piece to the point where you can play it continuously?Recording is not practice. If you can't even go through the whole song once, don't start recording. Otherwise, you'll only accumulate frustration.
• Video format and upload method.The preliminary round will be conducted in video format; simply record at home and upload it. Before officially registering, please check the latest upload instructions on the registration page.

Group	year of birth	Performance time limit
Early Child	2020–2023	2 minutes
Junior D	2018–2019	3 minutes
Junior E	2016–2017	3 minutes
Junior F	2014–2015	4 minutes
Intermediate G	2011–2013	5 minutes
Intermediate H	2008–2010	5 minutes
Open Group	2007 year ago	5 minutes

II. Sound recording: The easiest part to lose points on, but also the easiest to improve.

If you can only improve one thing, improve the sound. A slightly blurry picture will still allow the judges to hear the music; a distorted or echoing sound will diminish even the best performance.

• Don't hold your phone too close.Cellphone microphones are prone to distortion (commonly known as "pops") at high volumes. It is recommended to keep a distance of about two to three meters from the piano. For wind instruments and vocal instruments, do not play or sing directly into the microphone.
• Record a 30-second test first.Before recording the entire song, record the loudest part first, and then play it back to check for any vocal distortion. This step can save you from having to re-record the whole night.
• Reduce echoes.Rooms filled with tiles, glass, and marble have a lot of echoes. Laying a carpet, hanging thick curtains, and closing the door outside the camera's view will significantly improve the sound quality.
• Turn off all noise sources.The sounds of air conditioning, exhaust fans, washing machines, televisions, and all other appliances. If there's a lot of traffic noise outside, choose a time when traffic is quieter.
• Do not turn on any sound effects.The "voice enhancement," automatic noise reduction, or vocal enhancement modes on your phone will erase the details of musical instruments. If possible, shoot using the camera app's default settings.

III. Camera: Where to place it, how wide the shot should be

Judges need to see two things: the child's overall posture while playing, and the movements of their hands or mouth. Too far away and they won't be able to see clearly; too close and they'll miss the important parts.

Item	Recommended camera position	The image should include
piano	At approximately 45 degrees to the front, with the camera at shoulder height.	Hands, keyboard, face and upper body
Strings	Slightly to the right of the front, full body in the shot	Full bowing motion, left hand pressing the string, standing posture
wind instruments	Directly in front, the camera is slightly lower than the face.	Mouth shape, fingers, breathing and posture
Silent music	Directly in front, half to seven-tenths of the body	Facial expressions, lip movements, body support
Percussion	The view can be slightly further away from the diagonal front.	The entire set of instruments, hand movements

• Shot horizontally.Unless otherwise specified, use landscape mode for more complete image information.
• The phone must be secured.A tripod is best; if you don't have one, a stack of books with a non-slip mat is far better than handheld. Even slight handheld movement will be magnified on the judging screen.
• Do not zoom or move the lens midway through the process.Taking a single, uncut shot is the safest and most convincing approach.
• First, record a "starting screen".The child takes their place, takes a deep breath, looks at the camera, and then begins. The first one or two seconds of silence give the film a relaxed feel.

IV. Lighting and Background: Cleanliness is Enough

• The light should come from the front, not from behind.If there's a window behind you, you'll appear as a silhouette. Turn the child towards the window, or draw the curtains and use indoor lighting instead.
• Avoid direct sunlight from the ceiling light.When only the ceiling light is on, shadows can easily appear in the eye sockets. You can add a desk lamp to the side and front to supplement the lighting.
• The simpler the background, the better.A clean, unadorned wall is ideal. Remove the clothes rack, clutter, and television. With a clean background, the judges' attention will naturally focus on the performance.
• Check your attire.There's no need to rent formal attire; anything neat, close-fitting, and that doesn't hinder movement is fine. Girls with long hair are advised to tie it up to avoid obscuring their face or affecting their archery.

V. Schedule for the day of filming

Treating the recording like a mini-performance will help stabilize the child's mood. The following process will take approximately one hour.

time period	做甚麼
First 15 minutes	Parents set up the venue, tested the sound system, and checked the lighting alone, without the child present.
Then 10 minutes	The children warm up, adjust the sound, and go through the beginning and end.
First recording	Treat it as a test recording, watch it together once, and only discuss one thing that can be changed.
Second to fourth recordings	Take a three-minute break in between to drink water and leave your seat.
The last 10 minutes	Let's choose together, with the child picking their favorite version first.

A practical principle:A maximum of five recordings per dayAfter exceeding a certain limit, accuracy usually decreases, and mood also worsens. It's much better to try again another day if you can't get a satisfactory version than to force yourself to keep going when you're exhausted.

Eight most common loss positions

• The phone was held close to the piano, causing all the loud passages to distort.
• The room echoed too much, making the fast music sound muddy.
• Backlit, only silhouettes are visible, not facial expressions.
• The image cuts off part of the hands or the instrument.
• Cutting or splicing segments midway through filming affects the integrity of the film.
• The time limit for the group was exceeded, and we were forced to re-record.
• Parents make verbal prompts outside the camera's view, and their voices are recorded.
• We recorded more than ten takes before wrapping up, and the final version was the most tense.

Summary

A good competition video doesn't require professional equipment; all it needs is a quiet environment, a stable camera, positive lighting, and a composed child. After preparing in advance and pressing the record button, the rest was left to the music he had been practicing for months.