Video Production Tips

[SamSmith]

Hey guys.

This is an old member with a new ID. Wanted to use my real name (not the fake alias I originally changed to, lol).

I want to make a really good quality video. I think I've *really* got something to promote, and want to do this right. (Think StomperNet style video.)




Now, I could really use a little advice on this project. I've got Adobe Premiere for the task, and I'm trying to get After Effects too, and learning to use both.

The way I see it, a decent video has 4 components:

- The script.
- The on camera/off camera voice.
- Visual elements and editing.
- Sound editing.

...with the 5th element being initial distribution.


Now I could really use some advice on any of these elements, but obviously the script is the most important/relevant to this forum.

I guess what would be really great would be anyone willing to read through a finished effort (or pieces of it), but I know that involves a lot of effort. Any advice at all really would be good.

[Josh Anderson]

After Effects Basic Training

A great site for video training in general but that is the free after effects training section.

Digital Juice TV:

Digital Juice DJTV Gallery

Of the best short format free tips shows on the net.

Other than that I highly recommend you join a forum relating to video production specifically to get more pointers because it sounds like you want to become a serious producer.

The digital juice community will be a great place to start as well as get some advice on what other forums might be beneficial to you:

Digital Juice - Community

Google and youtube will be your best friends as well...

Don't take this advice lightly:

Type any product or application or effect you are trying to learn followed by the word "tutorial" into a Youtube search and then a Google search and you will get tons of great resources and training at your finger tips.

Also Final Cut for Mac users and Sony Vegas Pro for PC users would be my own choice any day over Premiere.

[graphicsgenie]

Once you read Josh's advice, re-read it.

If you find yourself struggling and got a big wallet, hunt me out, we can create vids in any style, stompernet, blogrush etc....

It aint cheap though ;o)

Thanks

Darren

[SamSmith]

Josh, thanks very much. Tech-wise that's just an excellent list.


Does anyone know any good sites for stock elements? (eg. stock-video, stock-effects, stock-music, stock-sound-effects, etc.) I can find sites, just wondering if anyone knows some really good ones.

Video Co-Pilot are quite good as well for anyone else reading this.



Script wise though... here's what I am doing:

- Logic/emotion together.
- Proof/"versimilitude" in as much as possible, without being cheesy or too pushy. Kind of casual.
- Very clear. Well illustrated.
- Persona carefully constructed. Very "real" reading. (No idea how to achieve a good reading...!)

[Gregg Hall]

Thanks Josh. Good stuff as always. I try to keep up myself and will be offering some higher end video creation in the near future.

What I have been trying to do is offer a low end option to help people get into video marketing so that they see the results that one can get from it.


Gregg

[Josh Anderson]

Does anyone know any good sites for stock elements? (eg. stock-video, stock-effects, stock-music, stock-sound-effects, etc.) I can find sites, just wondering if anyone knows some really good ones.

Digital Juice - The Leader in Royalty Free Professional Animations, Stock Footage, Music, Layered Graphics, Clip Art and Templates is the best for low cost, high value, and liberal licensing. Its the secret weapon of many producers and its common to see their elements, clips, and hear their music used in tv shows, ads, and documentaries.

www.istock.com is another great source... a little more costly but lots of variety.

[Peter Helps]

Thanks for the link to DigitalJuice Josh. You are right. That place is awesome. I've already found some great backgrounds for my videos. Sweet.

Peter

[Eric Parnell]

I'm currently writing a script myself and I know a second opinion really helps. PM me with your script, I'll read it, (or at least a portion of it) and I'll let you know what I think.

[Lloyd Buchinski]

Originally Posted by Josh Anderson

Final Cut for Mac users and Sony Vegas Pro for PC users would be my own choice any day over Premiere.

Thank you for the recommendation. I've been enjoying your
video posts for awhile and appreciate this assessment. The
price is a slow downer (as opposed to a stopper) and it will
be awhile before I get it anyway, but just added this post to
my video info file.

best wishes, lloyd

[dorothydot]

I've started creating How-To-Knit DVDs. I knew like nothing when started out, and here are a few lessons I learned the hard way: (Don't laugh; I know these are like totally basic and obvious... once you've done it wrong!)

1. Note down exactly what you are wearing so you can duplicate it in subsequent tapings. And remember to remove your watch! I had to change glasses so that I didn't look snooty because I have to look down my nose to see close-up scripts and stuff through the bottom of my tri-focals.

2. Set up a background that sets the right mood and does not take attention away from you and your message. For me, it was a light-green sheet hung in front of my filing cabinets.

3. Note the exact lighting you have so it also can be reliably duplicated later on. Lamps on/off, location of said lamps, daylight or no, etc.

4. I don't want to sound rehearsed so I didn't use a script. But I did follow verrry carefully an in-depth outline.

5. It is much better to record many short clips instead of trying for huge long clips. Makes editing and arranging said clips much easier.

6. Be very conservative with scene changers such as fade in-fade outs, dissolving, etc.

7. I chose to record my own music since I can play harp, fiddle and flute (somewhat). But I still had to watch for copyright issues, so I carefully chose melodies that have been handed down for like forever, such as English Dance tunes, Morris dance tunes, etc.

Hope this helps. Like I said, pretty basic stuff-but for a rank beginner...

Dot

[alexshelton]

Fantastic guides Josh, its incredible to see what's possible with After Effects alone.... Wow

[jjpmarketing]

Why is Sony Vegas better than Adobe Premiere? I don't own either but am seriously considering purchasing one or the other... or possibly both.

[alexshelton]

Premiere Pro, was the better in my opinion, easy to use, reliable.

[write-stuff]

Hey, Josh. Have a quick one for you. Why the common selection of 29.97 fps instead of 30 fps in video formats?

[Eric Parnell]

I use adobe premiere and am very happy with it. Final Cut Pro is kind of the industry standard but I still prefer premiere. It works well with After Effects, soundbooth and Photoshop which are also great adobe products.

[Mike Hill]

Originally Posted by Josh Anderson

After Effects Basic Training

A great site for video training in general but that is the free after effects training section.

Digital Juice TV:

Digital Juice DJTV Gallery

Of the best short format free tips shows on the net.

Other than that I highly recommend you join a forum relating to video production specifically to get more pointers because it sounds like you want to become a serious producer.

The digital juice community will be a great place to start as well as get some advice on what other forums might be beneficial to you:

Digital Juice - Community

Google and youtube will be your best friends as well...

Don't take this advice lightly:

Type any product or application or effect you are trying to learn followed by the word "tutorial" into a Youtube search and then a Google search and you will get tons of great resources and training at your finger tips.

Also Final Cut for Mac users and Sony Vegas Pro for PC users would be my own choice any day over Premiere.

Hey there Josh,

I was going to ask you a question the other day about clearing up a video from being so dam fuzzy but today, after messing with the settings for God knows how long I decided to move the camera closer to me and wow what do you know that did the trick. LOL

It can get a little tricky trying to get good quality when using a black backdrop and studio lighting. It didn't dawn on me to just move the camera closer... At least not until just 10 minutes ago..

Mike Hill

[Eric Parnell]

Hey Mike,
It also sounds like your camera may be set on manual focus. Look for that setting and change it to auto if you want an easy set up.

[Mike Hill]

Originally Posted by Eric Parnell

Hey Mike,
It also sounds like your camera may be set on manual focus. Look for that setting and change it to auto if you want an easy set up.

Thanks Eric... I actually tried it on both settings and changed it back to Auto Focus. It works without fail in regular light outside but as soon as I introduce studio light and a black backdrop (Eben Pagen Style) it gets a little fickle...

It's solved now though .... thankfully... I have a lot of videos to shoot

Mike Hill