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Open Forum => Off-Topic => Topic started by: Fierce Deity on September 02, 2011, 05:08:00 PM

Title: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: Fierce Deity on September 02, 2011, 05:08:00 PM
My school has this talent show every year and I decided to make a video/teaser, but I don't know any good tools that I could use to make it. Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: The M on September 02, 2011, 05:21:38 PM
My school has this talent show every year and I decided to make a video/teaser, but I don't know any good tools that I could use to make it. Any suggestions?
Mac movie software (whatever it's called) is really good and I have done projects with it etc...
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: Fierce Deity on September 02, 2011, 05:26:41 PM
Now if only I could find a Mac...
Oh wait. Can you download it?
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: christiangamer25 on September 02, 2011, 05:35:56 PM
if hes talking about final cut you have to buy it and its expensive like 1200 dollars or so for pro version and don't get fcp x its junk
 get fcp 7
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: Fierce Deity on September 02, 2011, 07:07:15 PM
Anything free? $1200 is kinda much for a school project.
Wait, I found some free software called Pinnacle Video Spin. Anyone use it at all?
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: SomeKittens on September 07, 2011, 12:08:47 AM
Anything free? $1200 is kinda much for a school project.
Wait, I found some free software called Pinnacle Video Spin. Anyone use it at all?
I've never used this, but iMovie should be good for what you want to do if you've got a Mac.  I've never had much luck with video editing on the PC, much less free stuff.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: drb1200 on September 07, 2011, 01:03:47 PM
My school has this talent show every year and I decided to make a video/teaser, but I don't know any good tools that I could use to make it. Any suggestions?
Funny, I'm doing the same thing for my school's talent show. I'm using iMovie to put it together, and Motion 5 (costs $50 in the app store) for visual effects. If you need any help, I would be happy to put something together for you.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: drb1200 on September 07, 2011, 01:22:03 PM
if hes talking about final cut you have to buy it and its expensive like 1200 dollars or so for pro version and don't get fcp x its junk
 get fcp 7
Final Cut Pro X is $300, and no its absolutely not junk.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: lp670sv on September 07, 2011, 01:29:43 PM
FCP7 > FCPX by a long shot. As far as free options, if you have a Mac iMovie is your best bet. If you have a PC Windows Movie Maker 2.6 is almost as good as iMovie, but it's much older so it doesn't have some of the newer features but it has the same general drag and drop timeline and all the things people who do basic video editing love about iMovie. If you have a Win XP computer it should already be installed, if you have anything newer then XP then chances are you have windows live movie maker which is much harder to use. You can download Movie Maker 2.6 here (http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=34). A third option would be Avid FreeDV (http://"http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/top-5-free-video-editing-software-review.html") It has all the same tools as the first two but is a little harder to use.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: Fierce Deity on September 07, 2011, 09:36:05 PM
Thanks! I think I will try the same movie and use all three options (Video Spin, Movie Maker 2.6, Avid FreeDV. I don't have a Mac so I guess iMovie is out). Thanks Daniel. Do you have any tips for making videos? And I don't need anything right now, but after I get the cast and basic plot done, then I should.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: SomeKittens on September 08, 2011, 10:15:57 AM
It'd be easier to give tips if we knew more details, but here's some general help:
-Avoid in-jokes
-Make sure to record where there isn't much ambient sound.
-If at all possible, get a tripod.  Shaky video just looks bad.

and my personal opinion is that fancy transitions are bad.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: Fierce Deity on September 08, 2011, 04:58:46 PM
Any suggestions for audio? I have trouble with that the most. It's basically non-existent.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: SomeKittens on September 08, 2011, 05:00:45 PM
Get an external microphone if possible.  Try not to record in crowded areas.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: Fierce Deity on September 09, 2011, 07:42:26 PM
Could I increase the audio with an audio editing program? I might not be able to use a mike.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: SomeKittens on September 10, 2011, 03:59:15 PM
Generally, that's more trouble than it's worth, you'll get a lot of fuzz.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: lp670sv on September 10, 2011, 09:34:12 PM
unless you have a clear signal to begin with, boosting the audio will ruin the quality. you don't need really expensive mic gear though, if you feel confident in your ability to sync the audio and video something as simple as having the people wearing a bluetooth on the side of their head not facing the camera can do the trick. Just have them have their phone in their pocket with the voice recorder on and then download or send that to a computer and match it up with the video. It can be tricky though so try it out before you rely on it, it still won't be professional quality but it's better then relying on the camera audio. Also check with your schools drama department, often times they have wireless mics they use in plays and assemblies that you can borrow to get some better quality stuff, but again you'll have to sync it later.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: Fierce Deity on September 10, 2011, 10:35:50 PM
That's actually a really good idea. I never thought of that. Too bad about the audio program because that would be a lot easier.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: lp670sv on September 10, 2011, 10:38:44 PM
Lining up the audio is doable, but its hard to get it perfect. You don't need a specialzed program for it just use Windows Movie Maker 2.6 and switch the view to timeline. Mute the audio on the video track so there's no over lap and then just put the audio files in generally where they need to be and adjust them bit by bit until the words being heard match the shapes the people's mouths are making
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: Fierce Deity on September 11, 2011, 02:36:54 PM
Thanks! I am going to start shooting soon (a couple of weeks or so) and will post the video up on here when it's completed. I'll see if I can have permission to do that beforehand (so I won't be necroposting). BTW, what do you think of having music? Anything special I might need to do?
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: lp670sv on September 11, 2011, 02:49:14 PM
Thanks! I am going to start shooting soon (a couple of weeks or so) and will post the video up on here when it's completed. I'll see if I can have permission to do that beforehand (so I won't be necroposting). BTW, what do you think of having music? Anything special I might need to do?

if you use music only have it at key points in the video, and never have people talking and music playing at the same time. you just add the music the same way you'll be adding the outside audio tracks. Might want to download Audacity (it's free) to get only the song clips you want
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: SomeKittens on September 11, 2011, 04:19:13 PM
Music can make or break a video.  Try to use instrumental when people are talking.  If you're looking for some fun stuff, look up Immediate Music on YouTube.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: Fierce Deity on September 27, 2011, 07:37:58 PM
Okay, I downloaded Audacity. Anyone know how to trim in Audacity? I tried selecting a chunk of the song and clicking "cut" but it didn't work.
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: SomeKittens on September 27, 2011, 10:24:45 PM
Cut should work, try Ctl-X
Title: Re: Anyone here know how to make a good video?
Post by: Fierce Deity on September 28, 2011, 09:09:42 PM
Alright I got it to work. Thanks Kittens!  :D
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