Week 6: Internet Tools & the Power of Video

Personally, I've had some experience with video editing, so let me share with you some of the videos I have done as well as some tips to making better videos.

How to make a good video:

1. Tell a story
2. Use a software you are comfortable with
3. If you don't know how to use the software, search for tutorials on YouTube
4. Use music
5. Don't use complicated transitions like the ripple effect (Fading to and from black is your best bet)
6. Don't use too many effects
7. Choose a good place to host your video

Here's example of what you can do with just an iPhone and iMovie: 

This is a short clip made to introduce a business plan for a spa facility.

Of all the video editing software available, my personal favorite is still Final Cut Pro. Obviously if you don't want to buy it (or pirate it), the next best thing would be iMovie. No, Windows Movie Maker doesn't cut it because videos produced on it usually look amateur. In iMovie, it is relatively simple to edit, trim clips, add music, voiceovers, credits and smooth transitions without much effort at all.

Another thing to keep in mind is the material you are using in the videos - are they all original content? If you use copyrighted music like I did, YouTube tends to flag it and take it down. So to get around it, just host it on another video sharing site like Vimeo. Avoid sites like Tudou, Youku and Xtube, because they are better known for hosting either undesirable videos or copyrighted materials like full movies, so it indirectly associates your video with their negative image.

Other than that, go out and shoot some footage with your cameras and have some fun with the videos you can come up with!

And if you don't actually have a camera with video recording capabilities, fret not. You can make an equally compelling video with still pictures and extremely creepy music.

Watch at your own peril. Don't say you haven't been warned!

*Disclaimer: All videos in this post were shot and edited by me. Still images and music may have copyright issues.