Education

Free Camera Checklist

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Are you just starting out with video making and want to get the best footage out of your camera? Well we created this incredibly useful checklist that will make the videomaking process easy by getting your camera settings right before you capture the perfect shot. I’m a filmmaker that’s been creating videos for 10+ years and have shot with everything from DV cameras (yeah I’m old!), phones, and DSLR’s to an array of professional cinema cameras that cost more than a car. This step-by-step guide is a system I’ve created and used over the years whenever I’m about to shoot a video. It ensures that my settings are correct for the type of look I’m going for, as well as a list I give to my assistants on set so they can adjust all cameras at the correct settings so the footage is consistent and I’m not going crazy during post-production. Whether it’s for your vlog or marketing video, this checklist will make sure your camera is set correctly without having to think too much about it, so you can spend more time visualizing your creative shots or figuring out how to balance that finicky gimbal!

 

So when you’re ready for a shoot, print out this checklist and cross off each step before you shoot.  Type in your settings on the dotted lines so you can keep it consistent with other cameras on your set.  As a beginner, you’ll be ahead of most YouTube creators.  If you’re a pro, this is a great way to get your camera settings dialed with your AC while you’re busy running the shoot.

Just remember to have fun!

Download the checklist here

Diversify Your Content on These Social Media Platforms

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Have no idea what to post on social media? With so much content out there, it can be overwhelming and quite upsetting when your content doesn’t reach your audience. This article shows you which content performs better on major social media platforms, given the design of the platforms. The article guides you through each social media platform with visual examples, content tips, and external links for those that want to learn more on the specified topic. The types of videos, visual graphics, photos, stories, and news posted on the major social media platforms may perform better in engagement on different platforms. Therefore, it is important to post content that works well for your business and industry. This can be done by searching the keyword of the subject and updating your content strategy! Diversifying your content to multiple platforms can not only build your brand but also create value for your audience.

Credit: Written by Alfred Lua What to Post on Each Social Media Platform: The Complete Guide to Optimizing Your Social Content

How To Teach Breaking All Over The World and Build Your Online Brand with Zach Benson

Welcome to our podcast! Listen to episode 3 of Creative Haven’s podcast on how Zach Benson developed his dancing passion into his business of teaching entrepreneurs. In this episode, Zach, entrepreneur, dancer, Bboy, and ex-Personal Trainer, talks about the value of exposing yourself to different dancing styles and culture, the chance of receiving opportunities, the ability to market yourself as a brand and help entrepreneurs and influencers feel valued and appreciated. Interested? Subscribe to our podcast by clicking this link: How His Passion for Dance Helped Him Create a 6-Figure Business and Now Works With Today's Top Influencers and Entrepreneurs

Check out this interview with Zach and subscribe to our YouTube channel to learn more!

Who's Who on Your Video Production Team?

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Interested in setting up your video production team? Do you often feel confused as to what the roles or hierarchy is on your team? Well, this article has all the video production team information you need. The standard hierarchy of the production team is the producer, director, first assistant director (1st AD), director of photography (DP)/cinematography, digital imaging technician (DIT), camera operator, first assistant camera (1st AC), lighting director (LD), gaffer, key grip, audio technician, set designer, and production assistant. It is important to note that, especially in smaller teams, multiple team members may perform multiple roles.

Credit: Written by Alisa Vossen The Roles and Hierarchy of a Video Production Team

6 Best Editing Softwares in 2019

Trouble with your current editing software? Want to know which editing software is needed for your videos? Various editing software offers many features that should benefit you and make your videos stand out! We’ve got a list of some of the best editing software to help make your editing software decision!

There are 3 stages of making a video: pre-production, production, and post-production. Post-production can easily make or break any video, and having a software to fit your video’s needs is essential. There are hundreds of great ones to choose from, and we’ve compiled a list of 6 to suit your needs in any circumstances.

#1 - iMovie. iMovie is one of the most well-known editing softwares for beginners. Coming free with all new Mac devices, it's a no-brainer as to why so many people use it as their software of choice. It also is available on the App Store for iOS devices. This software is best for people who have never gotten into editing, or only want a basic edit of their video production. Aside from the basics of cutting, transitions, and sound effects, iMovie does not have nearly the amount of bells and whistles of other editing softwares. It can also export directly to social media platforms, such as YouTube and Facebook.

#2 - Hitfilm Express. Also free to download, Hitfilm Express is one of the most advanced free editing software in 2019. Available on both Mac and Windows, Hitfilm Express caters to both newcomers and more advanced editors, offering many features, but also tutorials. This makes the learning curve less steep. On top of that, it offers over 500 video effects to make your production stand out. There are downsides, however. Many options, such as export options, are locked behind in-app purchases. These are not mandatory by any means, and Hitfilm Express is a great free software.

#3 - DaVinci Resolve 16. Free to download and is the industry’s #1 color grading and correction software. Black Magic has made an incredibly robust non-linear editing program that’s as good as Adobe Premiere, with the best color grading software attached - it’s optimal choice for advanced editors who can’t afford Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro X. Black Magic is also a reliable brand that produces their own camera line, which syncs well when using the software alongside their products. It requires training to understand and use so beginners may have a hard time picking it up at first, though once you get the hang of the software and learn how to color grade properly, you could transition easily into Premiere or FCP and have the knowledge of the industry-standard color grading software.

#4 - Adobe Premiere Elements. Moving on to the first paid software, Elements is available on Mac and Windows for the price tag of $60 USD. Elements offers guided edits to beginners, making it very user friendly. It also offers many interesting features such as Quick Edit mode and Sceneline. Unfortunately, the software still does not offer some options as others, and suffers from relatively slow render and export times, but is still a great option for users of nearly all levels.

#5 - Final Cut Pro X. Available on Mac for $300 USD, Final Cut Pro X offers an extremely clean, powerful software. While it is targeted for more experienced editors, Final Cut’s organized interface allows beginners and veterans alike to produce professional content on the platform. Final Cut offers many animations in the software, and generally renders and exports faster than contemporary software. Unfortunately, at a $300 price tag, it is one of the most expensive software on the market. Final Cut’s file management system can also be tedious at times. It also has no manual save feature and occasionally crashes, leaving the possibility of losing progress. These crashes are few and far between, however, and Final Cut Pro X offers one of the cleanest, most efficient editing software in 2019.

#6 - Adobe Premiere Pro CC. Adobe Premiere Pro is the industry standard in film production. Available on both Mac and Window, Premiere Pro has a monthly subscription price tag of $21 USD. It offers extensive options, making it potentially more versatile than any other software. With incredibly professional color grading, video effects, etc., it is no surprise to why Premiere Pro is used by industry professionals. Unfortunately, the software has a fairly steep learning curve, with the interface being less intuitive than contemporaries like Final Cut Pro. On top of that, similar to Premiere Elements, Premiere Pro suffers from slower render and export times. Despite that, this is a must-have for editing experts and enthusiasts, and will not disappoint.

Increase Your Video Quality with These 10 Video Production Equipment Tools

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Are you a business owner or aspiring video creator looking for video production equipment? Well, look no further! This guide shows you 10 video production tools you can use to create quality content. The checklist goes over topics such as the two types of cameras and microphones, editing software and hardware, lighting, and camera stabilizing tools. The article offers great video gear for those looking to get started and offers equipment with multiple features that will improve your video content at a higher price. Either option, you can produce professional content utilizing, if not all but, most of the tools mentioned in the article! Practice using the equipment you have with the videos you make; you'll feel more confident in your next equipment purchase!

Credit: Written by: Dann Albright The Ultimate Video Production Equipment Checklist

Your Video May Take Longer to Make. Here's Why

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Are you wondering why your video takes so long to make? The length of your video does not always equal the production time to make your video.As small business owners and creatives, time is a very valuable part of your business. So when creating videos, it is important to consider the amount of time that goes into the process of producing a video. Many external factors are included, such as pre-production, post-production, accounting for traffic if driving to and from location, gathering necessary equipment, getting equipment and subject set up and packing the equipment. The article shows a production schedule sample that includes meeting with your potential client, writing a script or talking points, editing the video. Understanding the factors in making a video will help give you enough time to make your professional videos.

Credit: Written by Nina Froriep How Long Does it Take to Produce a Video?

6 Tips to Lower Video Production Costs in 2019


Are your videos costing you more money than you can afford? Do you feel restricted to the videos you can make due to your budget? Do you feel excited by a video idea but realize you may go over budget? Your videos don’t have to be expensive to produce. Follow our six simple tips to help you lessen your video production costs!

#1 - Know what type of video you are making. Before you even start producing, or even writing the script for your video, know exactly what feel you want to go for, based on your target audience and what message you are trying to get across. If you want a sleek, high quality video, you will have to raise your expectations for costs. But, if you want a more personal, folksy video, then you can certainly get away with lower production costs.

#2 - Plan, plan, plan. The saying: “Time is money” has never been more true than with video production. If you are renting equipment or hiring any actors, crew, etc., the longer you take to produce your video, the more expensive the final product will be. Try to shave off time with actual filming by making sure your actors are practiced and familiar with the material before you get any footage. Make sure you have a fairly strict schedule so no unexpected costs will sneak up on you.

#3 - Shoot locally. Many Hollywood films nowadays are shot in studios that increase the costs of production. Unless you actually need to film in a studio or specific location, shooting locally could lower transportation and location renting costs. Before filming, however, make sure you are actually able to film in the locations you want, to avoid any legal trouble.

#4 - Hire amateur talent. Professional actors and actresses can ramp up production costs, and are not always needed for lower budget videos. Use advertisements online to find someone locally or even someone within your own company who is familiar with your product or service.

#5 - Do things yourself. But only if you feel comfortable doing so. Especially if you are doing a more amateur video, you do not need to hire professional writers, camera operators, editors, etc. This point really only applies if you feel you can do a good job at any of the aspects of filmmaking. If your video requires only basic camera work and editing, do it yourself. Hire only crew in areas that you feel you are not component enough in. 

#6 - Rent Equipment. Buying equipment takes a lot of money and isn’t always necessary. Unless you are going to be using the equipment consistently for video production, renting equipment is a more viable option for one-time productions. Rent locally if possible, as this can also lower costs.

Basic Audio Equipment in 2019

Need to improve your sound quality but don’t know where to start? Start with the basics! Audio equipment ranges from different microphones to audio accessories which is perfect for maintaining audio quality in your videos. Our audio equipment list will get you started on your next production!

Video cameras have built in microphones, but these generally tend to be lower quality, and less versatile than other options. There are plenty of great options out there for audio, and we’ve got a couple of the basics to make your production sound as good as it looks.

Lavalier: 

Lavalier microphones, commonly known as “lav mics” are perfect for interviews and presentations, as they can clip onto a shirt or jacket, making sure audio is consistent. Be careful in your productions if you do not want the lavalier showing through on your actors, and when you are using wireless to make sure there is minimal interference. 

Shotgun/Directional:

These microphones are special in that where they are pointed at is where they primarily get their input from. This helps cancel out any unwanted background noise. They are on the pricier side, however, and need to be close to the talent to ensure the best outcome.

Handheld:

 Handheld mics are what you normally see journalists or news reporters using. These mics can be wired or not, and are one of the simplest microphones to use. These are great for when you need to record audio in a live event, when you cannot have multiple cameras and mics set up. On the other hand, handhelds are not generally used for productions with narratives, as they need to be close to actors to pick up audio, and are easily seen by the camera.

Headphones and audio recorders:

These give you more freedom while shooting for two major reasons. First, your microphone is not connected to the camera, giving you more shooting options. Second, you are able to monitor the audio in real time to make sure your audio is where you want it to be. On the other hand, the audio must be then synced with video in post production, which can be easily done with the use of a clapper board or someone clapping their hands.

Boom poles and windshields:

Boom poles allow your microphone to be closer to the talent, but does, unfortunately, require a boom pole operator. Windshields will block out feedback from wind, giving you the opportunity to shoot outside without compromising audio quality.

Useful Tips To Create a Successful Founders Video

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Are you wondering how to create a founders video? Do you need to make a startup application video for a business accelerator program? Creating a founders video for your business not only lets your audience know who you are but also understands your story and goals. The managing director and CEO of Tech Stars, David Tish & David Cohen, respectively, reveal what should be included in your video and what your overall presentation should be throughout the video. They explain that founders should share the benefits of their product or idea when making the product video portion in the application. Tish and Cohen also suggest making a two-minute video that shows you and your team’s passion, chemistry, excitement and confidence throughout the delivery of the video.

Credit: Written by: Eric Markowitz Make a Winning TechStars Application Video

Learn How to Shoot Videos With These Simple Tips

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Are you a business owner who would like to learn about shooting a video? Or are you a photographer interested in shooting stock video? Well, to ease your transition, this article shows you six tips on learning how to shoot videos! Using a DSLR camera, you will be able to learn about frame rates, shutter speeds, and how to steady the camera with a video tripod. The article includes stock videos in each tip to guide you as you continue to practice shooting video.

Credit: Written by Paul McAniff 6 Tips for Still Photographers Learning to Shoot Video

Techniques on Shooting Product Videos on a Budget

Wondering how to shoot professional product videos without spending over your budget? Creating product videos don’t have to be expensive to produce! Find out how your product videos can be professional and unique by adjusting your lighting, camera, and setup. In the video below, Zach Ramelan from Premium Beat reveals how professional techniques and shots can be created by using inexpensive equipment or using materials such as a curtain for a backdrop. Ramelan demonstrates cinematic techniques that aspiring creatives can implement to produce high-quality shots that reveal the detail and mood of the product.

Credit: Written by V Renée How to Shoot Product Videos on a Budget