So as I said in the last blog, I am going to expand on the list of 5 things you need to have to make a good video... and by video I mean a presentation including pictures, video, and music edited with the intent to share. Some examples would be a school project, activities (sports, dance, etc.), or a special occasion video (birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, etc.). The DVD yearbook my students create 2-3 minutes clips for is a perfect example. We are not talking about documentaries or movies... That's for the more advanced video editor.
Anyway, here we go...
1. Good pictures and video - A good picture is well cropped, clear (not fuzzy), and not washed out because of bad lighting. Never take a picture looking into the sun or lights. The subject will come out dark and it just makes for a bad picture. Sometimes you can make some adjustments using Photoshop, but bad pictures aren't always fixable! In regards to video, you really need to keep the camera steady. Nobody, likes feeling sick because they feel like they are on a boat, watching the clips. If you are panning across your view, do it slowly! When you go too fast, it is worthless footage. For the most part, you want your clips to be between 3-7 seconds. You don't want it to drag on and on. Be sure to get in tight on your subject, but don't zoom in too much, because it is nearly impossible to keep the camera steady when zoomed in a lot.
2. A good song - OK, this is important! What you are hearing when you watch a video can make or break the presentation. I can't express enough how a good song can create the emotion in your audience that you want. Pick wisely...
Now, on the subject of music. I should be clear that it is not legal to use someones song in your project without permission... but it happens all the time. Does that make it right? Probably not. These are the moral dilemmas, that have to be dealt with when it comes to content that has =. There is certainly nothing wrong with using music you have created or copyright free music, which there is a lot of. Anyway, good luck figuring it out, but you have to have something good to set the mood.
3. Well timed transitions - A transition, in this sense is when a picture or video cuts to a new picture or video, either with a fancy transition that comes with the video editing software or with a simple cut from one picture to the next. The timing aspect is important, because it adds to the drama of the video. When clips and pictures are moving with the beat of the song, it has a cool effect on the viewer. It just gives the video more life.
4. Readable title and credits - This is straight forward. Don't make the words too small or too big. Don't have them scroll off of the page too fast or too slow. Make the correct adjustments. Attention to detail is very important! This is where the good become the great!
5. Not too long and not too short - Again, very straight forward. If it is too long, it gets boring. If it is too short, you are left wanting more.
I am sure there are a ton more tips and tricks to think about, so if you have any, post them! If I think of anything else, I'll let you know...
Anyway, here we go...
1. Good pictures and video - A good picture is well cropped, clear (not fuzzy), and not washed out because of bad lighting. Never take a picture looking into the sun or lights. The subject will come out dark and it just makes for a bad picture. Sometimes you can make some adjustments using Photoshop, but bad pictures aren't always fixable! In regards to video, you really need to keep the camera steady. Nobody, likes feeling sick because they feel like they are on a boat, watching the clips. If you are panning across your view, do it slowly! When you go too fast, it is worthless footage. For the most part, you want your clips to be between 3-7 seconds. You don't want it to drag on and on. Be sure to get in tight on your subject, but don't zoom in too much, because it is nearly impossible to keep the camera steady when zoomed in a lot.
2. A good song - OK, this is important! What you are hearing when you watch a video can make or break the presentation. I can't express enough how a good song can create the emotion in your audience that you want. Pick wisely...
Now, on the subject of music. I should be clear that it is not legal to use someones song in your project without permission... but it happens all the time. Does that make it right? Probably not. These are the moral dilemmas, that have to be dealt with when it comes to content that has =. There is certainly nothing wrong with using music you have created or copyright free music, which there is a lot of. Anyway, good luck figuring it out, but you have to have something good to set the mood.
3. Well timed transitions - A transition, in this sense is when a picture or video cuts to a new picture or video, either with a fancy transition that comes with the video editing software or with a simple cut from one picture to the next. The timing aspect is important, because it adds to the drama of the video. When clips and pictures are moving with the beat of the song, it has a cool effect on the viewer. It just gives the video more life.
4. Readable title and credits - This is straight forward. Don't make the words too small or too big. Don't have them scroll off of the page too fast or too slow. Make the correct adjustments. Attention to detail is very important! This is where the good become the great!
5. Not too long and not too short - Again, very straight forward. If it is too long, it gets boring. If it is too short, you are left wanting more.
I am sure there are a ton more tips and tricks to think about, so if you have any, post them! If I think of anything else, I'll let you know...
