You probably have a fancy camera built into your phone.

But if you suspect you’re not getting the best out of it, then a few easy updates could have you creating and sharing top-notch video like a pro.

The best bit? You can learn everything you need to know for free at home during the next four weeks of lockdown.

We asked Judie Russell, video team lead at UCC Academy, founder of The Vidacademy and Behind the Scenes Producer on The Young Offenders Movie for her pick of the best free apps to help us master mobile videography in 2021.

“Before I even begin, I’m going to preface this by saying that I’m an unapologetic Apple fangirl. For me, the new iPhone 12 Pro is a marketing and communications machine!” says Judie.

“I love the spec, the design and above all else, the larger aperture on the wide and telephoto lenses – allowing more light in and giving a more professional look to video footage.

“But if there is one thing that I have learned from my experience of using top-end phones for video production, it’s that you need to have the right apps to maximise their capabilities. Otherwise, it’s a bit like getting a new laptop but never connecting to the internet.

Here are Judie’s top 5 free video apps to try today:

1. Teleprompter for Video on IOS or Nano Teleprompter on Android
“Filmed over Zoom, 2020 was the year in which we all became narrators in documentary series that told the story of our own professional lives. Of course, a narrator can only be as good as their script, and what better place to position your script than beside the camera lens as you look directly at it? Both these teleprompter apps unroll your script as you film yourself speaking at the phone’s lens, which means that will you look like a professional newsreader when communicating with your audience through video. You stay classy San Diego.

2. Quik
“I adore this app because it’s so simple to use. Developed by GoPro, Quik uses AI to automatically edit videos to the beat of the soundtrack you select. What this means is that you can create montages that look like they have been edited professionally by simply uploading pictures or videos to the app. Under the bonnet, you’ll find simple features that allow you to make simple edits or adjust the focus of your images. Not only is Quik free to download, but it also allows you to remove all branding associated with the app in your videos, which will make you look like a pro.

3. FX Guru
“Trust me when I say that your kids will love FX Guru. A simple ‘point and shoot’ app, FX Guru allows to instantly insert special effects into your videos. Without having to do anything but press the record button, you can film a T-Rex walking through your garden or capture the initial stages of an alien invasion. Although there are optional in-app purchases, FX Guru includes a number of free effects to get your creative juices flowing.

4. HyperLapse
“An oldie but a goldie, Hyperlapse was first launched as a standalone Instagram app in 2014. Another simple point and shoot app, Hyperlapse allows you to record awesome time-lapse videos. The real beauty of Hyperlapse is its stabilisation technology, which enables you to record walkthrough videos without the need for expensive equipment. As you would expect from an app that was developed by Instagram, you can seamlessly post stunning time-lapse videos to your account, or just save them in your phone’s photo library.

5. Adobe Premiere Rush
“Okay, so you’ve mastered the basics, and you feel the need the move onto something a little more advanced – Adobe Premiere Rush is the answer. Through its straightforward drop and drag interface, Adobe Premiere Rush allows you to overlay footage with images, graphics or additional video clips. Put simply, the app allows you to create videos that have the look and feel of a TV news item where a reporter includes additional footage or images to complement the story so that they’re not just speaking to camera for the duration of the segment.”

While the app includes some optional in-app-purchases, it will allow you to record and publish simple videos that don’t require much editing.

You can follow Judie’s tips and updates on Instagram/thevidacademy.