Education

"It's the Healing That's the Star of the Show"-Episode 2 Podcast Clip

Hey everyone! Come listen to this soothing clip from episode 2 of our podcast with Shiva. In this clip, she reflects on how her music is a source of healing and self discovery. Her meditative event, Return to Sound, focuses on the aspect that the music is for you, the listeners. For the full episode, be sure to listen to our podcast here and on iTunes under Creative Haven: How Music Healed Her Physically And Lead To A New Meditative Music Experience


Basic Crew Involved in Video Production 2019

Need to set up a crew to produce your video? Each crew member has important tasks in the production of your video. With so many positions and roles out there, it can be stressful to figure out which crew member you need for your type of video production. Let us do the research for you! Our basic crew list shows you the members you need for your video production!

If you’ve ever watched a “Behind the Scenes” segment on your favourite movie or TV show, you’ll know the amount of people involved in video production. There can literally hundreds or thousands of people involved in producing one movie, from the intern tasked with getting the director coffee, all the way up to the director himself. It can be hard to wrap your head around all the people, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the jobs most integral to video production.

Producer: Producers are involved in the whole process of production from pre-production, to on set management, and post-production. They handle more managerial and business related tasks on a film set. They are less involved in the actual technical production of the film, but rather things such as casting, budgets, and scheduling. They often are in contact with the client of the production if there is one, and oversee the day-to-day operations to ensure it is running smoothly. 

Director: While producers are more involved with the business side of filmmaking, directors are on the creative side. Directors have huge amounts of influence over all aspects of production, such as script-writing, camera angles, set design, actors, and editing. Often, directors have such influence on the production that their styles of directing and vision become trademarks of the film.

Assistant Director: Assistant directors’ main jobs comes down to scheduling and organization. They keep the crew on time, the director is getting the shots they need,  and often make sure that the talent is reading the correct lines during filming.

Line Producer: Line producers work with producers specifically on budgeting and tracking expenses, as well as the nitty gritty groundwork of production.

Cinematographer / Director of Photography: Cinematographers work closely with directors to carry out their vision of the production through the camera lens, and that the director is able to translate their vision through the camera. They are in charge of many aspects of, well, cinematography, such as lighting, lens selection, and camera angles.

Camera Operators: The title explains it all. Camera operators are in charge of the operation of cameras and often work directly under the supervision of cinematographers.

Grip: Grips work with the electrical department to build lighting lighting setups, as well as operating camera dollies and cranes.

Gaffer: Gaffers work with both the cinematographer and director to achieve the desired lighting and feel of the production.

Location Sound Mixer and Recorder: Sound Mixers record audio during shooting, as well and monitor and adjusting the levels of audio.

Art Director: Art directors work with both the director and production designer, making sure the set and props carry out the director’s vision for the production. They often work to keep the set on brand for the company.

Production Designer: Production designers head the effort to create and design the set, making sure the environment the talent is in matches for the right feel of the production.

Production Assistant: Usually an intern starting out in the industry, a production assistant mostly works as an assistant to the rest of the crew, such as getting coffee and taking notes. They also help in other areas, such as coordinating extras and providing crowd-control duties.

Understanding Video File Formats, Codecs, and Containers

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Want to make sure every video you produce is in amazingly high-quality and is easily distributed amongst your blog, social media, and emails? Knowing the importance of video file formats, codecs, and containers allows you to produce quality content. The first thing to know about your video is a codec. A codec is a software that compresses your video file. The most common codec is the h.264, which is used for video content distribution and high definition videos. The higher video quality may result in a larger file size. Your video file also contains a container. A container is the section of information that describes your video and helps it to playback. For example, your container will have your video, audio, and captions. A codec is also known as the file extension. The article also includes why MP4 h.264 is the industry standard among files. As small business owners and creatives who are constantly posting videos, using a small and compatible file format like an MP4 will guarantee that your high-quality video gets distributed with ease!

Credit: Written by TechSmith Video File Formats, Codecs, and Containers Explained

How Music Healed Her Physically And Lead To A New Meditative Music Experience

Check out episode 2 of our podcast! This episode, we welcome Shiva, DJ and music producer, who has performed with artists such as CeeLo Green, Snoop Dogg, Nas and Damien Marley and spiritual teachers and visionaries such as Abraham Hicks, Michael Beckwith and Kyle Cease all over the world. She talks about how her journey through music helped her heal mentally and physically, which also led her to create a meditative healing experience event called RETURN TO SOUND. This podcast also talks about the benefits of prioritizing your art over your business and surrounding yourself with supportive people. Listen to our podcast on iTunes here: How Music Healed Her Physically And Lead To A New Meditative Music Experience

How To Live A Creative Lifestyle With A Tight-Knit Community

Here is an inspirational quote from episode 1 of our podcast! Fantum is a breakdancer, artist, and entrepreneur who talks about having a supportive tight-knit community and a positive mindset in order to follow his creative dreams. Check out the full episode on Creative Haven’s podcast here: How To Live A Creative Lifestyle With A Tight-Knit Community

Here's Your Guide for Uploading Videos on Twitter

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Are you a small business owner or a rising creative looking to share your videos and content on Twitter? Well, Twitter is here to help with this article that details four ways to post videos on its platform! Those four ways are to record/share, import, upload, or go live. You can record, edit, and share videos through the Twitter app. You can record a video by tapping on the camera icon on the app and by tapping the Tweet or Add button when you're ready to post and share it. If you already have a video created, then tap the Tweet and camera icons to select your video, and trim it to your desired length. Keep in mind that the maximum video length is 2 minutes and 20 seconds. If your video is on your computer, click on the Tweet button, open your files, write your message, and hit the Tweet button. Also, note that uploads from the computer must be in a supported format and must have a file size of 512MB or less. If your video is over the maximum file size, you can trim it to meet the maximum video length. This helpful article offers additional video help such as autoplaying videos, watching live videos, and closed captioning.

Credit: Written by Twitter Help How to share and watch videos on Twitter - Twitter Help Center

Upload Videos to Facebook Easily with These Steps

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Are you excited to share the videos you took to your friends and customers but need help posting them on Facebook? You can post videos directly on Facebook by uploading them through your computer or on your phone using the Facebook app! If you’d like to post videos using the computer, the first step is to click on “Add Photo/ Video” in the share box on the home page or timeline. Then you can choose the video from your files. After the video is uploaded, you can add a description, thumbnail, privacy settings, or tags before posting. Open or install the Facebook app if your videos are saved on your phone to post from there. You don’t need to transport your video file from your phone to your computer! Using the app, click on the “Photo” option at the top of your News Feed. Then choose your video, view the preview, add a description, location, or tags, and tap the blue pencil icon at the bottom of the preview to post. Please note that processing a video may take a while before it is posted on Facebook. You will be notified when the video is posted.

Credit: Written by Carolyn Abram How to Upload Video to Facebook

Simple Guide to Posting on Instagram

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Have you set up your Instagram account? Are you wondering how to post your first photo on the platform? Well, this helpful article shows you all you need to start producing content on Instagram! After logging in, tap on the ‘+’ plus button on the bottom of the phone screen. This will allow you to either take a new photo or upload an existing photo from your photo library. After you’ve uploaded your photo, you can add effects, filters, captions, or a location to the photo before posting. The Instagram Help Center also offers other articles to aid you in your posting journey. Now you're ready to post on Instagram!

Credit: Written by Instagram Help Center How do I post a photo?

Basic Camera Stands in 2019

You just finished recording your video and while you look at the footage, you find that the camera shakes in certain parts of the video. You try to steady your hands in the next recording but to no avail. No need to create makeshift camera stands! Our research shows you 5 basic camera stands that should keep your videos smooth for the next production.

Unless you’re making a found footage film, having good camera stands is an absolute must. Shaky footage immediately gives off an impression of being an amateur. There are many more options than commonly known to keep your shots smooth, and we’re here to help you navigate a few of the basics.

Tripods:

Tripods are pretty simple. You put your camera on them, and you can get a stable shot. You can lengthen and shorten the legs to get higher and lower angles, and you can pan left and right, and tilt up and down. These are perfect for mostly still shots, but are lacking if you want to have any movement outside of pans and tilts.

Monopod:

Even though monopods are essentially a camera on a stick, they are still incredibly useful. These are used in situations where tripods are too bulky or heavy to film with, such as in public shoots. Monopods are used with the actual monopod as one leg and your own legs as the other two. They can also be used to get high angle shots, but do not provide as stable shots as other options. They are also generally fairly inexpensive. 

Glidecams and Gimbals:

Glidecams and gimbals are great for mobile shots. They both keep cameras steady during motion, but are fairly different. Glidecams keep the camera stable through weights and gravity, while gimbals use various battery-powered mechanisms. Both take a long time to set up. Glidecams are less expensive generally, but also has a steep learning curve. Gimbals are easier to use, but are also quite expensive. Which you get really depends on if you are willing to take the time to master the glidecam, or want the gimbal’s mechanisms to do it for you.

Sliders:

Slides are essentially tracks that you attach your camera to. These allow for smooth, dynamic shots, of either horizontal, vertical, or diagonal movement.

Consider Using Native Video as Part of Your Video Marketing Strategy

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Are you new to creating videos and are looking for ideas to increase views and engagement? Try producing native videos! Native videos are videos created or uploaded on the platform for the platform. For example, a creative, like you, would record a video on a social media platform, like Instagram, and upload immediately after; or you could upload a raw video adhering to the platform’s formatting. Creating native videos helps you gain more organic reach and engagement with your viewers and keeps them on the platform without clicking on a 3rd-party site to watch the content. This will help you maintain any goals you have made on the platform and with your marketing strategy as well. The article offers examples of effective native video as well as tips to ensure the content and aspect ratio of the post is fit and tailored for the platform.

Credit: Written by Sian Hainsworth How using video natively wins more viewers and how to use it as part of your marketing strategy

How To Become a Successful Artist Through Consistency and Utilizing Digital Platforms

Get ready to hear more amazing stories from our podcast! In this episode, Leo Black shares his story of how his passion for music gave him more exposure on digital platforms. He also shares how he was able to overcome the struggles and hardships in his childhood, learn from his mistakes and become consistent towards the path to success to become a successful rapper. Leo Black is a rapper, artist, and influencer who has music on Spotify’s US viral 50 charts, toured with DJ Mustard and made song deals with the dubstep record label Never Say Die. Subscribe to our podcast and listen to episode 4 here: How To Become a Successful Artist Through Consistency and Utilizing Digital Platforms

Basic Lighting Equipment in 2019

Imagine that you have your equipment set up, your subject and crew are ready for shooting, but a shadow casts on your subject. You constantly try to fix the lighting but nothing seems to work out. Getting the right lighting shouldn’t cause you any stress. Let your videos shine with our basic lighting options!


Lighting is one of the most overlooked aspects of film. Getting just the right lighting for your production is imperative, as too much or too little of it makes it nearly unwatchable. Looking at all the options can be overwhelming, and we’re here to help you make your production perfectly lit. 

Types of lights:

Before you buy equipment, first consider the types of lights on the market. Incandescent lights are generally the least expensive and provide the most focused light, but also suffer from a short life span due to releasing large amounts of heat. Fluorescent lights last longer, but are also more expensive and give off softer light. LEDs give off more directional light, and also have a longer life span, but give off a softer light, and become less effective over time. Tungsten lights are industry standard and bright, but get hot over time and have short lifespans. Lastly, HMI lights have long lifespans and are more compact, but also are more expensive and have longer warm up times. 

Softboxes VS Umbrellas:

2 of the main types of lights used in video productions are softbox and umbrella lights. Softboxes provide more controlled lights that also reduces shadows, but is generally more expensive. Umbrellas are generally less expensive, and lights a wider area, but this also means there is little to no control over the light.

Other Options: 

Camera Mounted: Mounted lights are pretty self-explanatory: it's a light mounted to the top of your camera. While this does have limited options as the light source is always coming from the camera, it’s great for beginners and POV shots.


Barn Doors: Barn doors are the things you often see on theatre lights. Resembling, well, barn doors, these give the ability to shape light, giving much more options to filmmakers.


Stands/Mounts: These are pretty simple in that they give more options when it comes to lighting. You can get high and low angles, making your lights much more versatile.

How To Upload Videos onto YouTube

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Ready to upload your video but don’t know how upload it to YouTube? Waste no more time by following these simple steps! YouTube allows for creators like you to upload and publish your video via computer and mobile phone- Android and iPhone/iPad. To upload via your computer, you can either sign in to YouTube Studio Beta and follow those steps or sign in to YouTube or upload by clicking the camera icon in Creator Studio Classic. Either way you choose you need to: click the upload button, select the video file, add a title, description, and thumbnail for your video as well as any additional settings such as video category, then preview your video and publish. The article includes additional information such as videos for mobile phone uploaders and information related to uploading videos. For example, the article explains why the upload and publish date may be different, the video resolution, and if you would like to publish videos over WiFi or not.

Credit: Written by Google Help & YouTube Help Upload videos - Computer - YouTube Help - Google Help