Best way to make a video?

[maroo]

Do any of you guys know the best way to create a video? We took a wish trip in October and I want to make a video so we can use it to promote Make a Wish.

I have pics in Photobucket...and I am sure I can use that to make one. I have pictures AND video that I want to compile in a video. I would need to be able to save the video for myself (not just have it online)...

what is the best way to do this?? Anyone done this before?

TIA!

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

There are many computer programs that do this. You may very well already have one on your computer that came with Windows or your Mac OS. That program may be enough for your needs.

I use a program called Pinnacle Studio 11 Ultimate (though they now have a version 12 out - don't think I'll upgrade 'cause I don't think the upgrades are big enough when I don't really use the program enough). (They also have lesser versions of the program, Studio 11 and Studio 11 Plus [or Studio 12 it would be now].)

 

[monkey68]

I use a combination of Photoshop and Premiere Elements from Adobe. I am a big video editing buff, though. If you just want a basic video, you could do it on the pre-installed software. I think it's called MovieMaker in Windows. It's pretty easy to use, and gives you a variety of options to save the movie. You can also combine stills and video, one of my favorite effects from one of the videos I did was to take a still shot at the very beginning of the video frame, have it up on the screen for a few seconds, and then the action starts.

Also, consider if you want to use music in the background. If you do, then your video cuts should match with the tempo of the music. It's also helpful to have an idea of what you want before you just start throwing everything into a video. When I make a video, I usually wind up with extra footage, so I just make another movie with it. If it's a travel video, i would probably include it, but for something that would be used to promote something, or something that is meant to be quick to watch, you just can't use everything.

 

[maroo]

thank you guys so much!! I can't wait to get started on this!

I have actually listened to the song a bunch of times and sorta know which pictures that I want to go in certain spots....so I hope I can get it to work.

Thank you for your help!! I will post questions as I come across them!!

 

[monkey68]

Just a tip, that I've found useful. It's good to know the music you want, but don't add the music until the end. Once you have all the video frames and pictures in the order you want them in, you then add the music and can cut trim things to be the length you need them. For instance, I think the defualt when you add a still picture in a video software is 5 seconds, but that can sometimes be too long, so you trim it to the length you want it to be up for. But everyone does things differently, so don't be afraid to experiment. You can always start over.

Also, if you really get into it, you might want to look into buying an external hard drive. Videos take up a lot of space, as do video projects, so if you have it on an external hard drive, it won't take up the space on your computer. I bought a 500 GB external hard drive for around $100, I probably have around 200 GB left on it, but if you save videos in a high quality format, it will take up a lot of space. Just something to consider.

 

[HeatherN]

you may want to check out this site also:
www.onetrumedia.com You can upload videos and pictures and edit them all into a slide show.It's quite easy to use and also it's free! I use them all the time.Just be aware that you can share the final version online but you can not record it unless you purchase the DVD which is around $25.00.

 

[Pegasus928]

Hi
I don't know exactly what sort of thing you are after but I have got a couple of our videos online on our website.
The address is in my signature below, and we have a video section that has a couple of music videos in there that comprise of all of our best bits from our trips to the world.
I use Ulead VideoStudio for my projects (I have just finished editing our DVD from our trip in May 2008) and find it extremely easy to use.
I did start off a couple of years ago using Pinnacle but got fed up with the crashes and lost project files - all this may have changed now of course but once I started with Ulead it was hard to go back.
I am no expert, and have learnt what to do through trial and error, but am happy to help if you have any questions.