Episode 11: Marketing

THAT’S A WRAP

In our final session, we went over how to best share your videos on social media. Christa Lavender, marketing and social media professional, joined us and presented best practices for sharing and advertising on various social media platforms.

You can find her full presentation at this link, but she spoke specifically about Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and more. She talked about differing technical requirements, such as dimensions and aspect ratios, as well as what kind of content works best on each platform. She also gave some social media basics: it should be used with purpose, consistency is crucial, quality is more important than quantity, and if an organization can, it should dedicate an employee to growing and interacting with its social media accounts.

Obviously, there is no assignment this week. But please fill out the post-course survey at this link. It will not only give us insight into this first season of the program (what worked and what didn’t, how much did you learn, etc.), but it will help us improve it for future participants. And please, be honest, you won’t hurt my feelings!

HELPFUL LINKS

Christa provided many tips that can help get your videos in front of the widest audience possible. Among them was to join a marketing professional online forum. She suggested two such Facebook groups: The Daily Carnage and The Social Media Geekout. These types of groups are good for inspiring creative ideas, learning about new strategies, and generating collective support and engagement. Christa also encouraged you to connect with her on LinkedIn and reach out with any questions you may have.

I want to thank you all for participating in our first ever Crash Course. I appreciate you spending time on our zoom sessions, watching the courses, and working on assignments. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and seeing your confidence in video creation grow. I hope you will stay in touch and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Episode 10: Editing - Questions

ASSIGNMENT

This week we went over some lingering questions about Premiere and editing in general. We talked specifically about audio and how to use transitions or key frames to mask “pops” in the sound as well as how to use markers to visualize the beat of your chosen music and edit your footage to said beat.

We also talked about how to make and manipulate text graphics and then replicate them easily. Lastly, we talked about workspaces and how to standardize your workflow so that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel with every new project.

For your assignment this week, I want you to continue practicing with the sample project. Here is a link to download the project in its entirety. The shared folder has everything you will need to open the Premiere Pro project, including the project file, as well as all of the raw video clips that you will need to reference.

If you haven’t already, upload your creation to the Facebook group. Just jump in and try things - practice some of the techniques we went over in this session and in previous ones. Let me know if you run into any issues.

HELPFUL LINKS

Previously we discussed the process for adding captions to your video. Sometimes it’s necessary to do this long process manually, but Facebook and YouTube can automatically add captions when you upload your video to their platforms.

This process may take some time to complete, but once finished, It will be important to review the captions and correct through their systems. Proper names and organization names, in particular, need careful review. In this same settings menu, you should be given the option to download the “srt“ file. This is the actual document that maps the caption text onto the video. This file can be used on other platforms as well as within Adobe Premiere itself.

And again, Google is a useful tool when you run into any editing issues. Just search the problem you’re having, and you’ll get an answer most of the time. For the times when you can’t find a solution, call me.

Episode 9: Editing - Finishing up

ASSIGNMENT

In this session, we wrapped up the editing of our documentary-style video. We finished placing interview clips and b-roll as well as text-based graphics like subtitles into the timeline. We went over the necessity of rendering, which optimizes graphics and transition effects so the whole project looks its best and so there are no glitches in the final product. Finally, we went over the export process and the ideal settings for your video.

Your assignment for next session is to create something using the sample project provided. Here is a link to download the project in its entirety. The shared folder has everything you will need to open the Premiere Pro project, including the project file, as well as all of the raw video clips that you will need to reference.

The resulting video can be any length, but be sure to use at least two interview clips and practice adding lower thirds (feel free to make up names). Upload the final video to the Facebook group. Just jump in and try things. Let me know if you run into any issues.

HELPFUL LINKS

As you work on subtitles, lower thirds, or other text-based graphics, your fonts directory will be even more important. If you are missing a font or want to add additional variety to your projects, visit Adobe Fonts with this link. Using your Adobe account, browse or search for the fonts you want and then activate them. They will then be available in all of your programs.

Reminder that “copy and paste” is your friend. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. “Undo” (Ctrl + Z) is also your friend, don’t be afraid to try things, you can always go back.

Adobe Premiere can be a lot easier to use when you become familiar with keyboard shortcuts. Check out this link to some of the most common and helpful keys when editing.

And again, Google is a useful tool when you run into any editing issues. Just search the problem you’re having, and you’ll get an answer most of the time. For the times when you can’t find a solution, call me.

Episode 8: Editing - Take three

ASSIGNMENT

This session was all about editing multiple interviews and b-roll into a documentary-style video. We talked about different ways to organize the footage using sequences and markers as well as how to quickly piece together various clips. The most important thing is to find a way that doesn’t add more work for yourself.

There’s no official assignment for this session, but I wanted you to be able to practice these techniques and begin to hone your own workflow. Here is a link to some media that you can use to get started. The shared folder has everything you will need to open the Premiere Pro project, including the project file, as well as all of the raw video clips that you will need to reference. Just jump in and try things. This kind of editing will make more sense the more you work on it. Let me know if you run into any issues.

HELPFUL LINKS

A number of you had questions about fonts being incompatible or missing altogether. If you are missing a font or want to add additional variety to your projects, visit Adobe Fonts with this link. Using your Adobe account, browse or search for the fonts you want and then activate them. They will then be available in all of your programs.

Sometimes the amount of options for transitions and effects can be overwhelming, so I wanted to highlight a cool transition I thought could be useful for your lower thirds. It is called the “iris wipe” and it can be found by searching the effects panel.

Reminder that “copy and paste” is your friend. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. “Undo” (Ctrl + Z) is also your friend, don’t be afraid to try things, you can always go back.

Adobe Premiere can be a lot easier to use when you become familiar with keyboard shortcuts. Check out this link to some of the most common and helpful keys when editing.

And again, Google is a useful tool when you run into any editing issues. Just search the problem you’re having, and you’ll get an answer most of the time. For the times when you can’t find a solution, call me.

Episode 7: Editing - Take two

ASSIGNMENT

Time to put those direct-to-camera messages to work! Using what we went over in this week’s course, your assignment is to edit your direct-to-camera footage using the templates created for you. The link to your customized template was shared with you via Google Drive, and as always, the password for the above video was included in this week’s email. Export your final video using H.264 and “match source,” and then add it to the Facebook group.

Let me know if you run into any issues. If something isn’t working right for you (remember - it may ask you to reconnect media), please give me a call. My cell is in your email.

HELPFUL LINKS

Reminder that “copy and paste” is your friend. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. “Undo” (Ctrl + Z) is also your friend, don’t be afraid to try things, you can always go back.

Adobe Premiere can be a lot easier to use when you become familiar with keyboard shortcuts. Check out this link to some of the most common and helpful keys when editing.

Google is a useful tool when you run into any editing issues. Just search the problem you’re having: “how to import video in premiere,” “change size of video clip in premiere” and you’ll get an answer most of the time. For the times when you can’t find an answer, call me.

During this session, we also talked about sites where you can license music for your projects. It varies by price and quality, but here are a few sites you can check out first: Premium Beat, Pond 5, and Envato.

For consistent file management, please download the program Post Haste, and drag the template shared with you through Google Drive into the program. I think you'll find this super helpful. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Episode 6: Editing - Take one

ASSIGNMENT

Gotta get on those direct-to-camera messages! You’ll start editing them next time, so figure out a good issue/event/announcement for one of those and get going. Let me know if you run into any issues.

HELPFUL LINKS

Google is your friend when you run into any editing issue. Just Google the problem you’re having: “how to import video in premiere,” “change size of video clip in Premiere” and you’ll get an answer most of the time. For the times when you can’t find an answer, call me.

For consistent file management, please download the program Post Haste, and drag the template shared with you through Google Drive into the program. I think you'll find this super helpful. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Episode 5: B-roll

ASSIGNMENT

Create a direct-to-camera message. If I were you, I’d film myself, because that will save you from impinging on someone else’s time. It’ll also give you a pretty good feel for how this goes. It’s good to have some experience in front of the camera as well. I’d try to keep this to a minute. Try not to script it to keep it conversational. Remember, you’ll be able to make small cuts by pushing in and out, so as long as you can get it clean in two or three chunks, you’ll be able to edit out all the bits where you mess up.

HELPFUL LINKS

Here are a couple helpful links about composition.

Here’s a great read on b-roll, from the folks at Premiumbeat (a great site for stock music, but they have a super helpful blog).

IF YOU MISSED IT

Here’s a link to the third full Zoom session. The password is in your email.

Episode 4: The art of the interview

ASSIGNMENT

Interview someone! Grab a clip and post it to our Facebook Group page. You can do this in-person, or via Zoom if that’s easier. Here’s an example of a good, quick interview clip I recently stumbled across. Remember to pay attention to what it looks like. If you’re interviewing someone via Zoom, you can direct them on how to get the best shot. Just because you’re not there doesn’t mean you’re not in control of the shoot.

GEAR TO THINK ABOUT

Here’s a wireless mic that will plug into smartphones. I have never used this, so read up on it (the reviews are great for this) before you buy. This is probably pretty great for direct-to-camera videos, but probably even better for man-on-the-street style interviews where you have wind and background noise to contend with. For most of what you’ll be doing, though, your on-camera mic should be fine.

Here’s a shotgun mic for IOS devices. I’m sure there’s a comparable Android version somewhere.

IF YOU MISSED IT

Here’s a link to the fourth full Zoom session. The password is in your email.

Episode 3: Framing and composition

ASSIGNMENT

Set up “interviews” with three people. Just get them set up and snap a photo (you don’t have to interview them, unless you just want to). Do a medium/wide shot and a tight shot. You can post the images in a post on our Facebook Group page.

Here are a couple stills from a documentary I’m working on. A medium would be somewhere in the middle. There’s no set distance that makes something wide, medium, or tight, you just have to feel it out.

Wide shot

Tight shot

HELPFUL LINKS

Tutorial for Filmic Pro settings.

IMDB for Dermot Mulroney.

TOOLS YOU CAN USE

Estimate-maker for working with a videographer.

IF YOU MISSED IT

Here’s a link to the third full Zoom session. The password is in your email.

Episode 2: Getting started

ASSIGNMENT

Come up with an idea and fill out a questionnaire. I said in the video to post it in the Facebook Group, but that doesn’t really make sense. Just email it to me. You can find a questionnaire here (this is a Google doc, so just copy it and edit in your own file).

IF YOU MISSED IT

Here’s a link to the second Zoom course. The password is in your email.

Episode 1: What makes a good video, anyway?

ASSIGNMENT

Find one video that you think does what you’re trying to do very effectively. It’s always good to have heroes. I would pay special attention to videos you think you could - one day - actually pull off. Look for the simple ones. Just post the video in a new post on our Facebook Group page.

HELPFUL LINKS

Here’s the $3-short film Mark Duplass talks about in his remarks to SXSW. Please enjoy This is John. Here’s a link to the whole talk.

A scene from Don’t Look Back.

GEAR I SUGGEST YOU GET

Smartphone mount for monopod (Make sure you check the measurements and get one that will open as wide as the width of your phone + case).

Monopod

Slightly cheaper monopod (I don’t know why this one wouldn’t work for you).

All-in-one grip + monopod with feet (I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY TESTED this one or anything from this brand, but if you’re going to be recording yourself, this would probably stand on it’s own if you’re indoors).

The grip + monopod combo is going to allow you to get STEADY shots/interviews. This will go so far in making your stuff look professional.

General tip on gear: I don’t ever get the cheapest or the most expensive thing and always read a review or two. This has never lead me astray.

IF YOU MISSED IT

Here’s a link to the first course. The password is in your email.