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Let's talk about VIDEO!

by LeapingHorse
15 replies
So I figure it's time that I crawl out from under the rock and start exploring the idea of using video on my websites. And although I have read through a number of threads here, I'm still a little confused about where to start.

I figure I need to go through 3 steps with video:


Production > Editing > Delivery


For the production phase, I will likely go with Camstasia for any screen capture videos. Of course, I'm open to other suggestions. One thing I'm curious about, is there a "standard" way that people shoot videos of themselves speaking against a white background?


One HUGE help would be if you fine folks could explain how people put videos together that aren't "live" but contain text and images. An example of this is the video at EasyVideoPlayer » (does have screen capture video in parts but you get the idea) These are likely to be the most common types of videos that I would dabble in, so I suspect that there are specific programs that some people would recommend for this (seems like it falls into both the production and editing category).


Finally, easy video player seems to be a strong choice for the delivery part of it, especially since I use optimzepress already.


Any input would be great - and thanks!
#talk #video
  • Profile picture of the author laustinseo
    In regards to the "standard" way of recording ourself, there is one and it is like standing infront of a whiteboard or whatever. But if you want viewers you have to unique, different. If your videos are like everyone elses, why should people waste their time and watch something they have already watched. This unique approach should pretty much be applied to everything you have to create.

    I use quicktime to record what is happening on screen, its very good quality and free.

    Finally with non live things, i suggest just using movie editing software of some kind. I remember windows movie maker allowed to do that, but it was a while ago that i used it, if anything it should be easier than it was.

    I hope i help, if you need anything else just ask
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    • Profile picture of the author ezybux4u
      Originally Posted by laustinseo View Post

      In regards to the "standard" way of recording ourself, there is one and it is like standing infront of a whiteboard or whatever. But if you want viewers you have to unique, different. If your videos are like everyone elses, why should people waste their time and watch something they have already watched. This unique approach should pretty much be applied to everything you have to create.

      I use quicktime to record what is happening on screen, its very good quality and free.

      Finally with non live things, i suggest just using movie editing software of some kind. I remember windows movie maker allowed to do that, but it was a while ago that i used it, if anything it should be easier than it was.

      I hope i help, if you need anything else just ask
      Very good tips provided by laustinseo. I've been making review video's with an I-Phone lately, but plan on scaling up to a HD cam and lapel mic, using the whiteboard approach. Being out there using video will speed up and improve your online presence building, as well as improve monetization.

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    • Profile picture of the author jordanian
      i think using the whiteboard approach. Being out there using video will speed up and improve your online presence building, as well as improve monetization.
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  • Profile picture of the author laustinseo
    Thankyou for comment
    I urge you to upgrade your equipment, sure the iphone is good but if you want to be the best, you gotta have the best equipment too
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Cole
    Leapinghorse,

    I looked at the video on EVP page and from what I can see is they have powerpoint used for most of the video with some cool animations added in. Some of them can look very good. In one of my videos I even have a pair of feet walking across the slide.

    They also have an intro section at beginning which is done by a more advanced technique. It is done in After Effects, then the two are most likely edited skillfully within editing software like Sony Vegas.

    I also have EVP and optimizepress and love both of them. In fact you sound like you are putting together a member site using the both of these together (Like me).
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  • Profile picture of the author Ben Gordon
    There are a few ways to go about being beside a white screen.

    You can either; buy a green screen which will cost you about $200 (a good one). Or you can go with a cheaper solution and just buy green fabric and create a green screen that way. Another way that people film themselves with a white background is just finding a place in their house with a solid color background. Then you just adjust some of the settings and make it look natural.

    Hope that helps,
    Ben
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Meaney
    I use Camtasia for 'how to' type videos, it also creates the webpage with embed code.

    Otherwise I use this Open Source Media Framework with Amazon S3.
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  • Profile picture of the author LeapingHorse
    Thanks for all the replies! This is great stuff.

    Chris Cole and others - do you have any suggestions when it comes to learning how to produce animations in a video? At this point I really have no clue!
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    • Profile picture of the author Jill Carpenter
      Originally Posted by LeapingHorse View Post

      Thanks for all the replies! This is great stuff.

      Chris Cole and others - do you have any suggestions when it comes to learning how to produce animations in a video? At this point I really have no clue!
      Depends on what type of animation you are looking for. Some animated effects are included in your video software - such as transitions or even some titling.

      Some effects you can create using software like after effects - but this can be extremely time consuming.

      You can find some simple animations on fiverr.

      You can buy some effects that are "canned" and you just edit them into your own work the same way you'd add some music.

      Some simple animation may be found within the powerpoint or keynote (mac user).
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    • Profile picture of the author Chris Cole
      Originally Posted by LeapingHorse View Post

      Thanks for all the replies! This is great stuff.

      Chris Cole and others - do you have any suggestions when it comes to learning how to produce animations in a video? At this point I really have no clue!
      For simple powerpoint screen capture videos you can get some very nice effects using the animations tab, rather than the transitions tab. I like to use fly in, appear and fade and in some cases zoom. If you play around with these you will notice you have extra options available to you with the animation direction and speed etc..

      It really is just getting used to it and playing about with them. Here is another good resource for you. PowerPoint Blog

      Some great tips in there as well as YouTube.
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  • Profile picture of the author michaelcorvin
    Video works...The conversions are much higher. Camtasia is definitely the way to go using Easy Video Player for WP.

    So how you shoot will depend on what you are trying to accomplish. If you are shooting you talking then a white background is great. Mixing graphics, text, etc is easy.

    Shoot the video of you talking first...you in front of the camera. Then put together simple powerpoint slides using Impact font. Record separate video for that using a 625X355 custom screen capture size. Center it so it is covering your slides. Record your line...wait 5 seconds...record next slide...wait 5 seconds. As you do this you can see in the video timeline where you paused. You cut the pauses and the mess-ups out so you have a finished version. Add the slides video into the cut section on your face-time video and you have a sweet little video.

    Camtasia also lets you add really cool little arrows that look hand-drawn. If you are trying to get people to opt-in tell them "hey, all you need to do is enter your email address here (arrow pops in) to get your free report. You can find the arrows, etc in the Callouts section on Camtasia...Any questions you have let me know

    Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author LeapingHorse
    So just to confirm, much of these videos that include text and animation are simply just screen recordings of powerpoint slides? Duh....never even thought of that!

    That said, I'm sure there are video programs designed to do it "all-in-one"
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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
      Originally Posted by LeapingHorse View Post

      That said, I'm sure there are video programs designed to do it "all-in-one"
      Actually, no.

      Depending on the level of video you are looking to produce you may need a multitude of programs. Some programs (software) will be free, others will cost you money. It all depends on what you are trying to acheive.

      Even software such as After Effects will require you have additional plug-ins, and let's not forget the huge learning curve associated with high end software.

      As far as using video on websites you'll want to experiment with your final output quality because of the impact it has on file size. Intuitively you'll want to make it 'high quality' (as close to 100%) as you can get, but that is counter-productive. What you are looking for is a combination of good quality and small file size.

      The driving factor is how much information changes from frame to frame. In other words, it's possible to have a 30 second video file be larger than a 60 second video file if the information, basically pixel by pixel color changes, requires more information to be encoded and transmitted.

      If you are using Camtasia, as an example, you can very often get away with a quality output in the 30% to 45% range which will have a dramtaic impact on your file size. And yes, the quality/speed of your CPU and GPU will effect the rendering quality and time to render. So your machine will also impact your ability to produce good video.

      ~Bill
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  • Profile picture of the author Jim X
    I use Camtasia and really like it. I just went to Amazon and searched for "camtasia" and on the first result you can get version 7 for about $160 (better than $300!).

    When I decided to go the video route, I chose to make the investment in Easy Video Player. I'm so glad I did! Once I started using it, I never questioned the money I spent. You can upload a video and simply copy the embed code and put it on your website or blog.

    So for Production/Editing my vote is Camtasia. For Delivery EVP most definitely.

    For Camtasia, go to Amazon. That is where I got mine. It's the same as the $300 one but way cheaper.

    James
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  • Profile picture of the author Ged3
    With regard to creating videos from Powerpoint slides, I have just
    started doing this myself.

    It is very straigtforward.

    Once you have your Powerpoint slide, to upload it to Youtube you will
    need to convert it into a wmv. file.

    To do this just download Leawo Powerpoint to video free software from
    www.leawo.com

    Then once you have installed it you just need to drag and drop your wmv. file
    into the free software and within three minutes or less you will have a wmv. file
    ready to upload!

    Hope this helps.
    Ged
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