How To Choose The Perfect Location For A Pre-Wedding Shoot
How To Choose The Perfect Location For A Pre-Wedding Shoot
Ok, so, you have the wedding all planned out. The venue’s booked, the invitations have been sent out, the menu has been decided, you have your photographer and videographer lined up, and the dress and suit have been delivered. The last thing you need to do, is to do your final pre-wedding shoot. The last pictures of you and your partner, before you finally tie the knot. But there’s one hiccup. Where are you going to do this photoshoot? There are so many choices out there. Do you do a beach shoot, a jungle shoot, a city shoot? There are just too many options! Don’t worry, here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect location for you and your partner (and your photographer!).
1. Consider Your Budget
Very often, a pre-wedding shoot gets left out of the planning, because many couples either forget about it, or don’t think it’s necessary, but if you’re looking for polished and beautiful memories to reminisce on, a pre-wedding shoot will help your “souvenirs” of the whole process look just as beautiful as you did on your wedding day. So, always leave aside a section of your budget, for the pre-wedding shoot.
It’ll help you plan for any extra costs for the shoot itself, like travel (especially if you’re going abroad for the shoot), accommodation, permission from your locations (as some high profiled locations will require permits for photoshoots), and other costs like food or insurance. By having a budget for the shoot, you’ll know how far you want the location to be, how many locations you’d like in your pre-wedding shoot, and how much your photographer will charge for the shoot itself.
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2. The Meaning Of Your Location
One of the best ways to find your perfect pre-wedding shoot location is to consult your memories of each other. Essentially, you could have your pre-wedding shoot in a place that you and your partner have the fondest memories of. All you need to do is choose the place that holds the most special meaning for you. For example, you could hold your pre-wedding shoot in the place you both knew you loved each other, or maybe the place where the proposal was held, or even the place where you first met.
Of course, you might not remember exactly where it was you met, or your proposal was held at home, so it might not work. But if you have one particular memory, that you both share, of a place that you’d think would reflect your love story, then why not go back to that place, and have your pre-wedding shoot there? It will be a great symbol of your love for each other, and chances are, your guests, and all those who are privy to the photos will know exactly where that location is, and what it means to you and your partner.
3. Seasons, Weather, And Time
It’s important to remember that even Mother Nature can influence your pre-wedding location decisions. Why? Well, every location has its “season”. That means, if you choose a popular tourist location, like a beach, you might want to think about it when you book your shoot for it. After all, booking a photoshoot at the height of summer might not be the best idea, since everyone will want to go down for their summer vacations. Of course, the opposite can also be rather difficult, because if you book in winter, either it’ll be too cold or you’ll still find a lot of people at the beach, trying to get away from the winter chill.
You also need to be aware of the timings in the day as well. After all, the “golden hour” shot is the most romantic, with the orange, yellow and golden hues (hence the “golden hour”) of the sunset (or sunrise if you’re willing to get up early enough for it). So, be mindful of the seasons, weather patterns, and times of day. They can all be a factor in what makes your location the perfect one for your pre-wedding photoshoot.
4. Choose Your Theme
Sometimes, what might be on trend, in the wedding industry, might not fit the unique style that you and your partner want, for your wedding memories. So, if the both of you are more alive in the city, a pre-wedding shoot with a nature theme, won’t work or give you that fuzzy, warm nostalgia that should come with it.
That’s why you need to choose your themes carefully. What do you like, and what does your partner like? Are you both outdoorsy people, or would you rather be living it up in a city? Do you like the “sun, sea, sand life”, or do you prefer to “wander the world”? Consider your personalities and the theme of your wedding, so that your pre-wedding shoot can match.
Who Says You Should Only Have One Location
Lastly, remember that you can choose more than one location. Many pre-wedding photoshoots are becoming more global, with couples taking a long vacation (with their photographer) to visit countries and places they’ve been to before. After all, taking a trip with your partner is one of the biggest milestones in a relationship, and many beautiful memories are made on vacation. So, why not make more, in those same places?
Not only that, but you can even think about the whole trip as if it were a minimoon! It could be a prelude to the actual honeymoon you’ll take after the wedding, and even give you some ideas for it too. Also, by going to the places you’ve been to before, you’ll re-spark the magic and romance that made you and your partner fall in love, in the first place. It’s a great way to remind yourself, after all the stresses of life and planning a wedding, that the reason you’re even getting married to each other is the love that brought you together in the first place. So, enjoy the process! And when in doubt consult your photographer or wedding planner. They’ve been through this before, and their expertise will help you make the final decisions, for the perfect pre-wedding photoshoot.
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What You Need To Smoothly Edit 4K Videos
What You Need To Smoothly Edit 4K Videos
For many of us, a computer or laptop is a life-long friend. In fact, some of us may have computers that are at least 10 years old! And investing in a new one can be a pain to go through, so you just stick through it, and update the software, other hard drives and hardware. But this can make editing videos challenging, especially if you’ve been handed terabytes worth of 4K video footage. So, how do you cope? What do you need to smoothly edit 4K videos? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. From actual added hardware and graphics cards to using proxy files and software, we’ll tell you what tools you need to edit your 4K videos.
1. Good CPU & GPU Are Vital
One of the essential parts of a computer is the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). Basically, the CPU is the core of the computer, it’s where it gets all of its instructions from, and the more cores in the CPU the better. In fact, the highest you can probably get nowadays is called the Deca-core CPU, which can be found in many smartphones, like Meizu Pro 6, Elephone S7 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 4. It’s with these Deca-core processors, these phones act just as well as, or even better than, any computer or laptop. So, having a fast CPU will definitely help you smoothly edit your 4K videos.
Another aspect of your computer that you need to consider, when you edit your 4K videos, is the GPU. This helps to render the graphics of your video. Not only that but it helps to greatly reduce the export of your final video, especially if you’re working on a major feature film (like a Marvel blockbuster, if you’re lucky enough). Unlike CPUs, which currently have 6 types, GPUs only have two, the integrated and the discrete. While many computers can work well with the integrated GPU, having an additional discrete GPU will most certainly help with rendering and export runtimes. So, when you’re working through your edit, and you’d just like to preview what you’ve done so far, you won’t need to wait for hours, for your video to render. Similarly, you won’t need to wait for hours, when you’re done editing, while you export the video. All of these functions should work within a matter of minutes, if not seconds.
We Can Help You With Professional Video Editing.
Unlimited Revisions – Whatever changes are needed, send them through and we will Fix them.
Fast Turnaround Time – We are always available to meet the tightest of deadlines when necessary.
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2. It’s All About The RAM
For many gaming and video editing PCs, the RAM (Random Access Memory) is one of the most vital parts of a computer or laptop. It’s what helps us work on the projects we work on. Meaning, it’s what allows us to edit videos, or play video games. Essentially, it is temporary storage for the things you’re actively using. Think about it this way, when you’re writing up a document, on Word, you’ll find that the app itself saves temporary formats of the document, in case your laptop or computer decides to crash, and you need to re-open everything again. Rather than having to start all over again, you’ll find a recovered document, ready for you, and in a place that’s not as daunting as the start, right? This is essentially what RAM does. It temporarily stores everything you’re actively using, so you can retrieve it, whenever you need it.
RAM is vital for heavy-duty work, like video editing, because the more RAM space you have, the faster the processes can work, especially if you’re working with massive chunks of 4K videos. Of course, at the moment, the highest capacity for RAM is 32GB, depending on the make, model, and manufacturer of the computer. However, these sorts of computers will come with a hefty price, and usually, they’re used for massive amounts of data (like for AI technologies, robotics, etc.). So, you don’t need to go that high. In fact, the most you’ll need is 16GB, even if you’re editing 4K videos.
3. Storage
It should go without saying that storage is a necessary part of the video editing process. After all, footage, no matter what format, will take up a significant amount of storage, and as 4K is top-of-the-range quality, you can bet that it’ll require a massive amount of space. So, you’ll need extra storage, just to store those files, somewhere accessible. After all, any computer or laptop will come with a set amount of storage, and the more videos you edit, the more storage you’ll need. After all, even those that don’t make it into the final edit can still be used for your own portfolio, or for a later project!
So, you’ll need to have a decent amount of extra storage space, for your archive videos and for the videos you’re working on now. One of the most recommended storage devices out there would be SSDs (Solid-State Drives), which are very different to HDDs (Hard Disk Drives). The difference is that SSDs don’t require any mechanical parts to save data on their drives, whereas HDDs do, and this mechanical process can make the process rather slow. So, SSDs are much better equipped at storing large amounts of data, because they can be much faster at storing data. So, if you have 20 pieces of footage, each one at least an hour long, and in 4K, you can store your videos on these drives without waiting for it to download.
4. Using Proxy Files On Your Software
One of the worst-kept secrets in video editing is the use of proxy files. Essentially, by creating proxy files, you won’t be working with the original 4K videos, which can greatly reduce the strain they’ll put on your computer when you’re editing. Proxy files are less demanding formats of the footage you have. Don’t worry though, you can always restore the files to their original state, once you’re done editing, and your final video will be in 4K, just as the originals are intended to be.
Many video editing software programmes use proxy files, and one of the best ones to use is Adobe Premiere Pro. Not only does it have a built-in function, to create proxy files, but if you’re working across other Adobe programmes, then anything that may clash with the files, won’t corrupt the original 4K ones. So, you’ll be both protecting the original files and smoothing out your video editing process.
Don’t Suffer The Headache, Let Us Handle Your 4K Footage!
Of course, sometimes it can be a pain to do all this research and trialling each method. So, take it out of the equation by trusting experts in the field. We at Cut Pro Media have extensive backgrounds in video editing, so we will have the tools at hand to create high-quality video edits for your 4K footage. So, trust us with your videos, and get back to doing what you love, shooting that next blockbuster film! We’ll do the heavy lifting in the post-production department! And don’t worry, we’ll match whatever vision you have, no matter how “out there” or how popular your style is. And if you’re worried about the bank, you don’t need to! Our prices are affordable and reasonable. Plus, if it is your first time with us, and you’re not happy, your first video edit will be on us! Interested? Check out our price packages on our website now!
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How To Create Instagram Reels For Marketing
How To Create Instagram Reels For Marketing
How To Create Instagram Reels For Marketing
When it comes to marketing your business, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter are the best platforms to show your company’s principles and employees’ experiences. What that means is, making reels, stories, or TikTok videos. But why are they such successful marketing techniques, and why are they so popular? These are the questions many of those in business ask themselves, and we have the answers. Here are a few reasons why Instagram reels, Twitter stories, and TikTok videos are important to businesses, and how to create them.
Short Videos Are In The “Now”
For many people, watching short-format videos are a great pastime. That means people find it easy, to watch a short Instagram reel or TikTok video than watching long videos, or even reading! Short videos are the best time wasters and can even be addictive. Why? They are short enough that they are interesting, and because of the social media algorithm, you can scroll through hundreds of videos in a day, without the presence of adverts.
Of course, every now and then an advert does pop up on someone’s feed, and this is why it’s such a good platform. Some adverts are created in a way that they don’t look like adverts and instead like they’re actual videos, which prompt users to watch the video. So, it exposes the company even more, and this encourages more traffic to your website, and thus more interest. Not only that, but if your customers are well known TikTok influencers, or Instagram influencers, you’ll gain even more traffic, because they’ll review and rave about your products or services!
We Can Help You With Professional Video Editing.
Unlimited Revisions – Whatever changes are needed, send them through and we will Fix them.
Fast Turnaround Time – We are always available to meet the tightest of deadlines when necessary.
Risk-Free Trial – Send your first video editing project to us and if you are not 100% happy with the results we produce, you don’t pay!
It’s Not Just Young People
If you ever find yourself scrolling through Instagram reels or TikTok videos, you’ll find that there is a wide range of people who use the platform. From elders in their 50s and older, to teens and even children, so many different types of people scroll through TikTok and Instagram. So, you won’t just be exposed one demographic, you’ll be exposed to them all. It just depends on which feeds the algorithm leads your video to.
The algorithm itself is a little complicated to understand, but if you add the right keywords and hashtags to your video, you can be sure it’ll land on the feed of those who you do want to target. So, for example if you are a makeup company and you add hashtags like #makeup, #getthelook, #makeuptutorial, #makeupforbeginners, and #makeuptransitions, you’ll land on the feed of those who watch makeup videos and makeup tutorials, thus hitting your demographic. Of course, if you use more niche and specific keywords, there may be less traffic, but it’ll ensure that your video is one of the first that your target audiences see. So, Instagram reels and TikTok videos aren’t just for young people.
How Do You Create A Good Instagram Reel?
First, start off with the concept of your brand. You need to know what your company values are. Once you establish that, you then need to know how to get that across to people. Think about it this way, there are some mobile games that advertise themselves everywhere, and these adverts are animated stories, that have nothing to do with the game itself. With these adverts, people swipe away from them the moment they see the first image. However, there are now some adverts that even attack this way of advertising. They compare their game’s advert to the ones with animated stories, and this gets them views because it attracts their audience’s attention.
Of course, not all videos need to be like this. After all, you can even create videos that are just to show what the office environment, at your company, is like. There are hundreds of videos that add humour into the workplace, because they’re trying to promote their company. So, you can even create an Instagram reel showing the different personalities in your office, or even a video that jokes about the whole concept of creating marketing videos themselves. It’s all about adding that personal touch, which makes your company seem more approachable.
Remember – It’s In The Edit
One of the reasons why Instagram reels are so interesting is the edit. It’s the synchronicity of the cut transitions with the beat of the music, and the stark contrast between two clips. So, if you’ve ever seen an Instagram reel or a TikTok video, you may have come across makeup transitions. This is where in the first clip, the person in the video has little or no makeup on, they may look scruffy, or they just look natural, and then through the clever use of match cuts, where the action in the video starts in one clip and ends in another, they are polished, or they look completely different.
This is the reason why Instagram reels are so successful. The suddenness of the transition is what holds an audience’s attention. So, if you’re looking to create videos that grab attention, you will need to learn how to edit your videos, so that the transition looks seamless, and this requires time, attention to detail, and experience.
Trust Cut Pro Media
If you’re too busy to think about creating those Instagram reels, or TikTok videos, then get someone else to make them for you! All you need to do is record your video, send them in to us and we’ll create those seamless transitions that will impress your audience! Our editors are highly experienced individuals, who’ll make sure your video reflects what your company is all about!
Not only that, but our customer service will ensure that your videos are exactly what you want them to be, and if they’re not, we’ll help fix them! And our prices are reasonable too. If you want to know more about our video editing services, check out our website, or better yet, get in touch! Our customer service team are available 24/7, so it doesn’t matter where in the world you are, we’ll do all we can to help you make the best videos for your company.
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5 Best Video Editing Desk Setup Ideas
5 Best Video Editing Desk Setup Ideas
Video editing can be intense, where you can work twelve hours straight or be completely distracted and lose your motivation for the project. When the latter happens, it may be detrimental to you, since you’ll most likely be working to a deadline. And nobody likes being late for a deadline. That’s why you need the right desk setup, so you can work to your best, for all the projects you have. Of course, it can be difficult to choose what type of setup you want to have. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ll show you 5 of the best video editing desk setup ideas that you could implement in your own studio or office!
1. Multi-Monitor
One of the most annoying things for a professional video editor, or anyone who uses a computer all day, is the use of a single monitor. Of course, if you’re working while you’re travelling, you don’t have a choice. But if you have a workstation, regardless of whether it’s at home or at the office, a single monitor can really slow down your progress. So, use two monitors to help you out. For a video editor, two screens can really make a difference, because then you can see all the different aspects of the video edit, without having to switch application screens.
For example, if you’re working on the project’s animation, and its colour grading, you can do them both at the same time. The animation app can be on one screen, while the colour grading app can be on the other. It’s simple as that! Or if you’re just working on piecing the video together, you can have the storyboard on the second screen, while you work on the video edit, on your first screen. And if you want to be really adventurous, why not have three screens for all three! Not only will it help with visualising what you’re working on, but it’ll make your video edit process faster.
We Can Help You With Professional Video Editing.
Unlimited Revisions – Whatever changes are needed, send them through and we will Fix them.
Fast Turnaround Time – We are always available to meet the tightest of deadlines when necessary.
Risk-Free Trial – Send your first video editing project to us and if you are not 100% happy with the results we produce, you don’t pay!
2. A Minimalist Desk
No matter your job, having a cluttered desk will contribute to a cluttered mind. This is especially true for video editors. Sometimes it can be challenging to keep your desk clean and tidy, because you’re so dedicated to your work, or the deadline is tight, and you have no time to organise your desk. So, keep it simple. Only keep the essentials on your desk. That means only have the tools you need on the desk and within reach, so you don’t lose concentration. If you eat snacks while you work, make sure you throw the wrappings away, or take your tableware to the sink, to keep your desk clean. Take away any and all distractions, so you can focus on the work in front of you.
Having lots of different things on your desk, like toys, stationery, notebooks that you don’t need to use, or even miniature plants can prove distracting. And if you’re distracted, you’ll procrastinate. This is not something a video editor wants to be. It means, they will be late for their deadlines, and they’ll take the blame for anything that may go wrong because of their lateness. So, remove any and all distractions by having a minimalistic desk!
3. Mood Lighting
If you’ve browsed through your Pinterest and Instagram boards, you may have come across desk setups that look great in a certain light. This is because light has an effect on our mood. Colour can affect our emotional state and having the right lighting in your workspace can greatly impact your productivity. For example, warmer tones of light, like yellow and orange, are great for relaxation spaces, while the cooler end of the spectrum, like greens and blues, can help with concentration. Not only that but the brightness of your lights can help too. After all, if you’ve ever sat outside with a laptop, chances are you’re going to barely see what you’re doing. So, make sure the lighting in your workspace is controlled. That way, you’ll be able to see what you’re doing, without straining your eyes.
If you’re looking to add mood lights to your workspace, then choose light colours that can help your productivity, and light your space with blues, greens, or even purples. While they might increase a more relaxed state of mind, they’ll make sure you don’t get too stressed over whatever project you’re working on.
4. Hide Your Cables
Another annoying distraction that can affect your workspace is cables. As a video editor, you’ll need all manner of equipment to help you edit your videos. This can be from designing tablets and digital pens to high-tech microphones or even soundboards. All of these electronic devices will need a source of electricity, which will require cables, no matter whether they need a charging dock or not. Because so many devices require a cable, you might feel like you’re drowning in them. Not only that, but exposed cables can be a health and safety hazard since they can trip you up.
So, hide your cables. There are lots of different ways you can do so, from trunking them into the wall or using covers that you can stick to the underside of your desk, or even using zip ties to hold them together. Not only will it prevent accidents, but it will clear up a lot of desk space for the rest of your equipment to go.
5. Storyboard and Mood-board Reminders
Storyboards are one of the best assets a video editor can have because they’ll help them piece together a video, especially if it’s a particularly long video (like a feature film). Sometimes there can be a tonne of footage you need to scroll through, and you can forget which clip you need. So, have a reminder of it next to you. For some, having a physical reminder can help, so, have printouts on a wall, or a corkboard nearby. Or if you’re working with concepts rather than a set storyline, use those corkboards as mood boards, to help you remember what the concept of the video should be.
There’s nothing more powerful than visual reminders. After all, video editors are visual people anyway. So, having a visual reminder of what it is you need to edit can help boost your productivity. Not only that but if you’re working on several projects at once, all your monitors might be booked up with those edits, and you’ll find it easier to have a physical copy of your storyboard or mood board. You can even hang those storyboards above the corresponding monitor! So, add your storyboards/mood boards to your setup.
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5 Mistakes To Avoid On Your Wedding Day
5 Mistakes To Avoid On Your Wedding Day
You’ve done all the planning; you’ve been counting the days and now it’s finally here. It’s your wedding day! Of course, when you get up, first thing in the morning, and you start getting ready for the big day, a lot of things start running through your head. What if my bridesmaids pull out at the last minute? What if I trip on my dress? What if I forget my vows! Don’t worry. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that you’re going to be fine, and for the most part, it will be. You might find yourself contending with a roaringly drunk uncle or two, but what wedding doesn’t have one? If you’re still worried, here are 5 mistakes that you could avoid on your wedding day, and how to prevent them from ever surfacing.
1. Running Out Of Time Before It Starts
One of the worst things, for a bride or groom, is to run out of time as they’re getting ready for the ceremony to start. More often than not, we underestimate how much time we need to get ready, not just for a wedding but for any special occasion, in general. Many of us would wait until the last hour, before we leave our house, to start getting ready, but end up being more than an hour late, because they underestimated how much time they needed. The same thing goes for a wedding. If you know you need time to fix your dress or tuxedo, or if you need to spend more time in the chair with your makeup artist, make sure you plan for it.
If you’re going for complicated hairdos and makeup styles, plan for it to take more than an hour. You might not have a team of stylists on hand to help your makeup artist. Usually, they work solo and will need to focus on one task at a time. Of course, if you have the time, why not go for a practice run? You can always arrange an appointment as you’re planning the wedding, to see how long it would take to get your hair and makeup done. That way, you’ll know how long you’ll need to get ready.
We Can Help You With Professional Video Editing.
Unlimited Revisions – Whatever changes are needed, send them through and we will Fix them.
Fast Turnaround Time – We are always available to meet the tightest of deadlines when necessary.
Risk-Free Trial – Send your first video editing project to us and if you are not 100% happy with the results we produce, you don’t pay!
2. Forgetting To Eat
A common mistake that everyone does, when preparing for a special occasion is to forget to eat before the event. Many weddings and special occasions can last an entire day, and because so much happens all at once, you may forget to eat. But when the time comes for the main meal to start, you’ll no longer be hungry, and you won’t get to taste the delicious food that you planned for. It’d be a shame to not be able to savor the taste of the food that you and your partner meticulously planned out.
So, before you let your nerves get the better of you, assign a good friend or family member, to snack duty. Make sure they remind you, or even force you to eat something throughout the day, even if it’s just a small pastry or a finger sandwich. Having someone there to help you eat will ensure you have the energy you need to last you through the entire occasion. After all, weddings can even last well into the very early morning hours. So, be sure you have enough energy to last you until then.
3. Still Organising On The Day
Stop trying to get involved with the events that happen on the day. You’ve already done enough! Your wedding day is supposed to be for you and your partner. So, enjoy it! Nothing ruins a wedding more than a bride still trying to run the event. In fact, the tradition of a wedding was always planned by the couple’s parents or family members, and the bride and groom only needed to show up and say their vows.
Either delegate someone else to continue organizing the wedding on the day or get a planner to help make sure things run smoothly. If any problem does come up, you don’t need to worry about it. They should take care of it for you. All you need to do is sit back and watch. The hard part for you is now over, so enjoy your day. Don’t let it be a burden for you, because you’re still in the thick of it.
4. Just Using Your Best Plan
It may seem like a lot of work but having more than one plan for your wedding is the best thing you can do, to ensure everything runs smoothly on the day. After all, something will go wrong, and someone has to fix it. If you only have one plan, there’s no telling how the situation can be fixed, and you’ll need to make things up as you go along. So, have a contingency plan.
Of course, problems can be unpredictable, but there are a few of them that you can plan for. Like, for example, your bridesmaids and groomsmen are late. You can always arrange for some pre-wedding entertainment if that happens. Maybe get a family member who’s gifted in a musical instrument to give a short recital, while you wait for them to arrive. Or if the catering company isn’t able to arrive on time, if your venue has a built-in kitchen and staff, get them to create some quick and small dishes, until your caterers arrive. Always have a contingency plan, for emergencies like these.
5. Not Spending Enough Time With Your Partner
The last thing you want is to be so busy with everyone else, you don’t get any alone time with your partner until the entire day is done. The whole point of a wedding is to celebrate you and your partner. Celebrating the love, you have for each other, is the whole reason for the occasion.
So, make sure you factor in some time alone with each other. This can be a few minutes between taking pictures and the main reception or squirreling yourselves away from the main party, to just calm down and be with each other, before jumping back into the fray. Spend some time quietly with each other, to have your own private celebration. After all, the occasion is all about both of you, so if you need some time alone, your guests will need to wait. It’s your day!
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What Is A Lower Third And How To Use It Correctly?
What Is A Lower Third And How To Use It Correctly?
If you’ve watched a news program or a documentary, you’ll often find a bit of text with the name of the person that’s on screen, or the location, or just a small piece of information that could help provide context to what you’re seeing. This is a Lower Third, and oftentimes, documentary filmmakers or news programs use this as a visual aid for audiences. In most cases, it’s used to give a name to the person, location, or object, on the screen, but it can also be used for other things, like small snippets of background information, to highlight a certain time period, or as a credit note of the cast and crew members involved in the video. Of course, it can be confusing at times, knowing when and how to use a Lower Third, so we’ll show you how to use them correctly.
1. What’s On Screen
One of the main uses of a Lower Third is to name whatever it is on screen. This can be a person, who is being interviewed, presenting something, or telling their story. It can be a place, like a restaurant, a global landmark, or a natural location. It can even be an object. These Lower Thirds are used, mostly in documentaries, news programs, commercials, corporate videos, and even religious videos. Essentially, they’re used to introduce a person, place, or object.
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Fast Turnaround Time – We are always available to meet the tightest of deadlines when necessary.
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2. What Time Is It
Usually, you’ll find these sorts of Lower Thirds in the center of the screen, along with a location. Think of those feature films that use time jumps. You don’t see the passage of time, in the film, but with the use of Lower Thirds, the viewers can tell that a significant amount of time has passed. Sometimes, this can also be represented in full-screen animation, but if it doesn’t fit with the aesthetic of the film, it is always best to use Lower Thirds, to highlight how much time has passed, or the difference in time periods, in your film. Most of the time, Lower Thirds that highlight a time period are used in short films and feature films, especially when the narrative of the film follows several timelines at once.
3. A Fun Fact
Sometimes, some context is needed, in a video. So, using a Lower Third is the best way to add it in, without needing to reshoot your footage. Usually, the information will take up more space in the animation, than a person’s or location’s name, so the writing will be smaller, and a transition effect will be added, to help viewers read it. For example, a “typewriter” effect, along with the sound of typing, will be used to prompt viewers to read the words that appear. This is mostly used by crime documentaries.
4. Credits To The Crew
Lower Thirds can also be used to highlight the names of cast and crew members of a film, particularly if the actors and crew members are highly recognizable. Think of all the a-list Hollywood movies you’ve seen on the big screen. More often than not, after the main title sequence, during the first few minutes of the film, names still pop up on the screen, as a scene develops. Sometimes they can be at the top of the screen but, for the most part, they’re on the lower part of the screen. Thus, they’re known as Lower Thirds as well. Of course, credits to all the actors and crew members, and affiliated personnel are scrolled through, at the end of the film, but for the notable names, they’re highlighted at the beginning of the film, as part of the filmmaking tradition.
How Long Do You Display A Lower Third?
Usually, Lower Thirds don’t last for more than a few seconds on screen. They mostly last anywhere from 3 to 6 seconds, especially if they’re used to introduce names, places, time periods, and objects, or if they’re used to highlight credits to cast and crew members. However, if a Lower Third is needed, to highlight a fact, these can last even up to 10 seconds, depending on how much information they’re giving. Of course, this can be elongated, if transition effects are also added to the Lower Third.
Where Do You Place A Lower Third?
As the name suggests, you place them in the lower third of the screen; essentially, towards the bottom of the screen. Usually, viewers look at the top 2/3 of a screen, in terms of the action on screen, and the lower part of the scene is mostly ignored. Lower Thirds should be non-intrusive to the viewing experience, but they should enhance the information on screen. So, that’s why they’re at the bottom.
However, you can sometimes get Lower Thirds that can be displayed at the top of the screen, or somewhere in the middle, especially if it is a credit for a cast or crew member, or if it is to introduce an interviewee, location, or object. These Lower Thirds, however, need to be placed strategically. So, if the footage is covered by a large piece of furniture, or if there is a lot of “white space” (i.e., the background), then a Lower Third can be placed here.
How Do You Style A Lower Third?
When creating the look of your Lower Thirds, you need to keep the aesthetic of your video in mind. For example, if you’re creating a paranormal investigation documentary, you wouldn’t want to use a Lower Third that’s decorated with flowers and pastels. You would want to use imagery like cobwebs or blood, to highlight the horror aspect of the show.
Similarly, if you’re shooting a corporate video, for company employees, you’d use a sleek look, with blues, blacks, and whites. So, before you use just any design, remember what kind of video you’re editing, and match your Lower Thirds with the style of the edit. Of course, sometimes, you can leave it to be plain white text, but make sure it can still be read, and it is a good contrast against its background. Even though it should be non-intrusive, it should also be readable.
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How Does Colour Grading Affect Video Mood?
How Does Colour Grading Affect Video Mood?
How Does Colour Grading Affect Video Mood?
When you watch a movie, you don’t initially identify what the colour palette is. Only those who know what video editing is, and how it defines a video, will notice this. Think about it this way, when you watch a Marvel film, do you notice how colourful and bright the pictures are? Do you notice the definitive colours in the scene? Or do you just watch the film and enjoy the ride? For the most part, audiences don’t notice, but the colour of the movie affects how audiences respond, and what emotions they need to feel at certain points in the film. Don’t worry, it can be a lot to digest, so we’ll help you. Here’s how colour grading can affect a video’s mood.
The Psychology of Colours
Before we can dive right into how colour affects a video’s mood, let’s look at why it can. First off, you’ll need to know the basics of Colour Psychology. Essentially, colour can influence our emotions and mental states. For example, if you look at a red coloured item, it can stimulate you and increase your body’s adrenaline. Usually, because red is associated with things like blood, this naturally makes our body respond, however minutely, to adopt a “fight, flight or freeze” response.
Not only that, but the colour red is associated with “warm” emotions or even hostile emotions. It is used to represent stimulating emotional responses, like love, passion, warmth and even anger, violence, and hate. Conversely, cool colours, like blue, are used to calm or “de-stress”, and are associated with emotions like calmness, relaxation and even sadness or depression. It is because of this that colour is so important in filmmaking and even marketing.
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The Different Colours Used In Film
The use of bright and vivid colours can help audiences to feel stimulated as if they’re part of the action, and they can associate different colours with different characters and scenes. For example, in Marvel’s Endgame (2019), each scene is vividly coloured. You get the inky blackness of space when Tony Stark is stuck on Peter Quill’s spaceship. You can identify Black Widow’s and Wanda’s bright red hair. You can easily pick out Gamora’s green and Nebula’s blue skins. The film itself is full of bright colours, and this stimulates the audience to feel like they’re part of the action.
In contrast, if you watch a film like Manchester By The Sea (2016), the colours are a lot more muted, and a lot of the standout colours are within the cooler spectrum, ranging from blue to green, with an undertone of yellows and browns. This emphasises the overall mood of the film. It highlights the sadness, depression, and guilt that the film is all about. There is very little colour, and it even encourages the audience to feel pity and empathy for these characters. It’s a far different story from the Marvel films, and this is all to do with the Psychology of Colours.
How Colour Affects A Video
As we’ve mentioned before, the brighter and more saturated the colour of a film is, the more engaged an audience is as well. This is how it affects a film. So, it depends on the colour palette a filmmaker decides to use, and what reaction the audience has. For example, if you’re making a wedding highlights video, it depends on the emotion you want to evoke, from its audience, and what colour the video should have.
So, if you want to make them feel the romance and joy of the wedding day, you might want to use pastel and gentle colours, like mauve, forest green, mustard and pink. These colours are mostly associated with springtime and romance. After all, mauve and pink can be associated with spring flowers, green is associated with life, and mustard, or yellow, is associated with joy. So, when you edit your video, you’ll need to highlight these colours, and mute the others.
Choose Your Colours Carefully
Of course, while it might be easy to pick out the colours you want to stand out, you also need to exercise some discretion. Too much colour grading and manipulation can make the video monotonous. Like the editing process itself, choosing the colour palette of your video needs to help tell the story. There might be faster moments in the film, where you’ll want to make all the colours vivid, and not just your main colour palette. Alternatively, if the video has slower moments, you’ll want to mute your colours, to the point where you only highlight one colour.
Whatever you do, you need to choose your colours carefully. Over-saturating colours can make your videos difficult to watch, and under-saturating them may make them boring. You’ll need to find the compromise between the two, and always change it up, depending on the video you’re making. So, watch out. When you’re editing a video, you need to remember you’re telling a story, and the colour is all about helping your audience associate the right emotions with that story.
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
Of course, all of this can be tedious and tiring to do. After all, colour grading does require some level of skill and knowledge. So, don’t worry about it and let our editors colour grade your videos for you. Just as with the main editing process, our video editors are highly skilled and experienced in colour grading your videos. So, instead of looking bland, with the raw footage simply pieced together, our video editors can flesh out the emotions you want to evoke in your videos; how stimulated you want your audience to be.
They’ll know how to ensure your videos send across the right messages and emotions, without compromising the video itself. So, let them colour grade your videos for you, so you don’t have to do the hard work. We can ensure that the colour of your video sets the right mood for those who watch them. And don’t worry, it’s not an extra charge, it’s all within the price packages for all our services. So, check out our website, if you’d like to know more information about them! We promise we can provide high-quality and correctly colour-graded videos for all your needs.
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Top 5 Pre-Wedding Photography Locations In New Zealand 2022
Top 5 Pre-Wedding Photography Locations In New Zealand 2022
There is no doubt that New Zealand has a natural beauty of its own. So, what could be better than having a pre-wedding photoshoot with its beautiful landscapes and cityscapes as your backdrop? Of course, there are so many locations to choose from. From the stunning beaches to its snowy mountain tops, it can be difficult to choose the perfect location to reflect the beauty of your love for each other. So, let us help you. Here are our top 5 pre-wedding photography locations in New Zealand, for 2022.
1. Matamata – Hobbiton
This one’s for the Lord Of The Rings fans. If you’re a fan of the books or the movies (or both), you should know that the films were shot in New Zealand, and as a tribute to the amazing feat of filmmaking, New Zealand made their sets a permanent fixture in their country. It’s now a landmark for tourists, movie buffs, and fans to visit and imagine what life could be like as a hobbit. Of course, it can also be used as the backdrop for your pre-wedding photography.
If you’re fans of The Lord Of The Rings series, you’ll find yourself in paradise here in Hobbiton. So, why not have a fun-filled adventure (see what we did there?) on the set and take your pre-wedding photos at the home of the hobbits. Better yet, you can even host your wedding there. Simply ask the tour operators how.
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2. Waiheke Island – A Laid-Back Romance
If you’re looking for that casual and beachy look, or if you’re looking for luxury and style, Waiheke Island is your go-to pre-wedding photography backdrop. You can get either the laid-back or boho nature of its stunning beaches. Or you can go all out amongst their vineyards and rental villas. Whichever path you choose, Waiheke Island offers a variety of options. Not only that, but their lush vineyards and green hills are the perfect setting for an island wedding photoshoot.
So, kick off your shoes and explore their diverse beaches. There’s something for everyone on Waiheke Island, and it’ll feel like you’re the only ones there. You can be sure that your love will shine as bright as the waters of the sea and taste as sweet as the wine from the vineyards on the island. And if you want to go that extra step, you can even hold your wedding in one of the vineyards there!
3. Lake Pukaki – The Beauty Of Nature
One of the best features of New Zealand is its natural landscape. Not only does it have amazing beaches and sea views, but you can also find snowy mountain tops, lakes and even glaciers. So, why not show off the grandeur of the New Zealand landscape in your pre-wedding photos? It’ll be an amazing contrast that defines the love you have for each other. After all, every relationship will have its up and downs, but like the mountains of New Zealand, love is stronger, and will stand the test of time.
So, have a pre-wedding photoshoot at Lake Pukaki, and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Its bright and beautiful azure waters will surely let you and your partner shine brightly in the southern sun, and the highest peak from Mount Cook will loom serenely and protectively behind you. It’s the perfect location for nature lovers.
4. Karekare Falls Or Kitekite Falls – For The Adventurous
If you’re all about adventure, why not have your pre-wedding photoshoot at Karekare Falls. Just west of Auckland, in the Waitakere Range, you’ll find the Karekare Falls, just off the road. These falls are perfect for couples who love an adventure and aren’t afraid to get their feet wet. Not only that, but it is mostly tourist free. So, you don’t need to worry about anyone photobombing your pictures! It’s the perfect place to take your pre-wedding photos.
After all, who wouldn’t want a gorgeous waterfall in their pictures? So, get off the beaten path, and go for something adventurous with the Karekare Falls. Not only that, but you’ll also get lush forest greens in your photos too! And if you have time, maybe you’ll be able to go on a quick hike in the forest and grab even more photos there too. Of course, be warned, there are eels in the water. Don’t worry, there’s an alternative in Kitekite Falls! It’s just as lush and beautiful as Karekare Falls.
5. Auckland Botanic Gardens – Flowers For Everyone
Of course, there are those who would prefer a floral theme to their wedding, so don’t worry, Auckland still has you covered. Their Botanic Gardens are perfect for that floral wedding and pre-wedding shoot. If you want that springtime feel, the gardens will have the perfect bright and bold flower for you. Hide amongst their lavender bushes or frolic amongst the peonies. The Botanic Gardens will be just as colorful as the love you have for each other.
You can be sure your pre-wedding photos will shine just as brightly as the flowers that surround you. And it’s spacious enough so that any tourist going by won’t be captured in your photos. So, there won’t be any need to edit your photos. Flowers, as they say, is the language of love, and surrounding yourself in the bright and colorful flowers in the Botanic Gardens will truly reflect the emotional ride a wedding can give you. Not only that, but like with some of the other locations, you might be able to even hold your wedding in the gardens!
Make It Memorable
No matter which location you choose, remember to make your pre-wedding photos memorable. Just like your wedding, the photoshoot should be a memorable experience, one that leaves you feeling joyful and fulfilled. So, trust your gut instinct, and choose the best location (or locations) for your pre-wedding photography, according to what you like. The location should reflect how you feel about each other and the love you have for each other. After all, every wedding is unique and different, so too should your pre-wedding photos.
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What Is A Hook In A Video And How To Use It
What Is A Hook In A Video And How To Use It
When you think of a “hook” do you think of fishing? The concept is similar in video making, especially when it’s used to draw new audiences into your video. A “hook” in a video is something that every good filmmaker and video-maker knows about, especially when making videos that are meant to attract new audiences, customers, and clients. These hooks are perfect for anyone or any company when making commercial videos or videos intended for public viewing. Need more information? Don’t worry. Here are a few examples of what a hook in a video is, and how to use them.
1. A Good Opening Line
One of the best hooks for a video is a good opening line. It’s the first thing that your viewers see or hear, so of course, it should hook them in. Opening lines can be a visible sentence on the screen or spoken by one of the characters in the video. Think about it this way, when you watch a YouTube video, from a channel you subscribe to, they usually start with a catchphrase that you can identify with them. So, you’ll hear words like “Hey guys, what’s up?” or “Hey guys, welcome back to…”. It is an opening line like this that hooks audiences because they’re easy to identify with. It draws audiences in because it makes these influencers seem like they’re regular people, speaking with their friends.
On the other side, if you’re creating a big and bold commercial or advert, you’ll need a big and bold opening line. Not only that, but you’ll need to relate that line to what it is your audience needs. For example, if you’re selling a screw drill, you may want to say something along the lines of “Are you tired of manually hammering nails into the wall?” Appealing to your audience in the first instance will always hook your audience because it’s the first thing they see. However, be clever with how you hook your audience. Sometimes, being big and bold doesn’t always work, or acting like your audience’s friend. Sometimes, you may need to be more subtle and sensitive to what your audience needs. Always do your research first and cater to the audience you’re targeting.
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2. Choose The Right Story To Tell
One of the best things you can do, to hook your viewers is to tell the right story. Of course, telling a good story can help, but there’s no point in telling a good story if it doesn’t relate to the video you’re making. Telling the right story to your viewers will ensure they’ll be hooked. Stories are what entertainment is all about, and if you’re making a video, it’s no different, even if it’s just a few shots of a beautiful house or random landscape videos. They still tell a story, and audiences will always try to find it.
So, when you’re trying to hook your viewers into your video, make sure you tell a story that not only relates to them, but to whatever it is you’re trying to make. For example, if you’re making a wedding highlights video, you wouldn’t just string random clips of the wedding together, you’d want to edit them, to tell the story of the day. So, you’d start the edit, at the beginning of the day, and end it at the end of the day. Similarly, if you’re making a real estate video, you’d start off with the features of the neighborhood or building, and end with a tour of the property itself.
3. Be Creative
Viewers have seen nearly everything at least ten times over. Many adverts follow the same, if not a similar formula. Even full feature-length movies use similar storylines, shots, visual effects, and animations. The only difference is in the way they’re used. This is the job of a filmmaker, being creative with the way tried and tested techniques are used. So, be creative with your shots and editing. Creativity is all part and parcel of the filmmaking industry, so be creative.
Use a combination of camera movement and transitions, to make your videos more interesting. Add bold animations and visual effects to impress your viewers. It’s all about balance. For example, if you’re creating a real estate video that shows your properties, make it look cinematic, with sweeping wide shots of the property. Use drones or time-lapse shots. If you’re creating an advert for a florist, use very big close-ups of the flowers, or special filters to highlight their colors. It’s all about the creative choices you make. By all means, do the research, and follow the trends, but try to come up with your own as well. Viewers will be hooked when they see something new, and a new transition or shot choice will definitely draw them in.
We Can Help You
Of course, if you’re a filmmaker, you don’t want to spend all your time editing one video, when you could be out there filming more. Instead, trust an experienced video editor to help you make those hooks for your viewers, no matter what it is you’re filming. A good video editor will know what it is you’re trying to make and match their style of editing to yours. We, at Cut Pro Media, can help you do just that.
Our experienced video editors will help you capture that vision in your mind. From feature films to holiday videos, we can do it all. We can even help you make your corporate and commercial videos even more entertaining and attractive to your viewers. Their expertise in all fields of editing will guarantee a high-quality video. Not only that, but we can match your video style if you’ve already created your own videos before. Just send in some samples, and we’ll do the rest. Not only that but we can guarantee that if you’re not 100% happy with your first edit, you’ll receive it completely free, and our customer services will help you with any queries you have. So, check out our website and our price packages for more information.
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5 Hidden Features in Adobe Premiere Pro You Need To Know
5 Hidden Features in Adobe Premiere Pro You Need To Know
5 Hidden Features in Adobe Premiere Pro You Need To Know
If you’re just starting your career in video editing, you’ll find yourself manually looking for files, cutting clips, and creating special effects, all the while you’ll wonder how the professionals do it so quickly. It’s because they learned about the hidden features of their editing software. If you want to get onto the video editing scene, you’ll need to keep up to date with your software updates. That means watching out for any patch notes, learning about the features they advertise for those updates, and keeping an eye on tutorials that explain these new features. Of course, that can be time-consuming. So, we’ll show you what some of those features are. And since we work with Adobe Premiere Pro, we’ll show you the 5 hidden features we’ve found so you can use them too.
1. Project Manager
If you’re working on a project that requires more than one editor, you’ll find that there will be files scattered around on the hard drive. So, how do you manage? What can you do to keep your files online, even if you transfer them from one computer to another? The Project Manager tool will help. It’s a nifty tool that will help organize and back up all your files and assets in Premiere Pro. Not only that, but it can also convert and transcode your files to save on storage space if you have particularly large files.
So, for example, if you have a client, who has a lot of large raw footage that requires a lot of disk space, you can choose to “consolidate and transcode” the files. By doing so, you won’t be duplicating the original files, which will take up more disk space. Not to mention, if you choose to archive the project and use it again in the future, you won’t have to deal with the “Media Offline” message. All the files will still be accessible to you, no matter how long ago they were created.
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2. Audio Track Keyframes
As video editors, you should know what keyframes are. They’re the points in a clip that you use to mark where your animation, special effects, and movements start and end. Well, you can also use keyframes for your audio. In the past, you’d need to use the “Effect Control” panel, where you would create and adjust keyframes manually. However, with the latest updates for Premiere Pro, you can now do this directly onto the audio track in the timeline.
This will allow you to work on the waveform itself. So, you can see where you need to edit the audio. You no longer have to guess where to put the keyframe because it’ll sit directly on top of the track, in the timeline, and you’ll be able to control the volume as much as you need to without having to consult the “Audio Mixer” panel. Of course, you’d need to use the panel for other audio effects, but this feature is very convenient if you’re creating a simple volume change.
3. Photoshop Snap/Ruler/Guides/Margins
If you’ve got a text, animation, or other types of special effects that you need to add on top of a clip, you may find it challenging to find the right position for them. After all, Premiere Pro doesn’t employ a ruler or a snipping tool, right? Wrong! Hidden in the corner of the “Program Monitor” panel is a plus (+) sign, and if you click on it, you’ll find loads of hidden features that aren’t added to your initial start-up menu.
There, you’ll find the “Margins”, “Ruler”, “Guide”, and “Snap” tools that work for every other Adobe product on the market, including Photoshop. So, no more squinting your eyes and tiny mouse movements or arrow clicks to get your text or effects layer in the perfect position. Instead, you can use these guide tools to snap that layer into place without needing to be careful with your mouse!
4. Create A Full-Screen Shortcut
Sometimes, while you’re editing your video, you’ll want to see a full-screen version of the project you’re working on. While double-tapping the “Program Monitor” can do the job, there’s a better way to do it. This is by creating a shortcut for a “Full Screen” view. You simply need to go to “Edit”, find the “Keyboard Shortcuts” option, and create a shortcut to “Toggle Full Screen”. Once you have that set, you can easily go back and forth, between your standard edit view, to a full-screen version of the project you’re working on.
This is a very handy tool, especially if you’re working on an edit that requires colour correction or trying to line up a mask to a specific key point. Or sometimes, your director/producer or client is in the room, and they’d like to see what you’ve done so far. Instead of forcing them to watch on a tiny “Program Monitor” panel, you can pull up the full-screen version of the video, and they can watch it uninterrupted.
5. Easy Label Colours
When you’re working on a long project, with lots of different clips, in lots of folders, it can be confusing which clips you’ve added to your timeline. Not to mention, Premiere Pro, by default, turns all label colors into blue or pink, depending on where on the timeline your clip is or how you added it into the timeline. Don’t worry. You can easily bypass this by creating your own labels for each type of clip you use.
The trick is to go into “File”, hit “Project Settings”, and tick the box that says, “Display the project item name and label color for all instances”. This will then allow you to manually change the label colors of your files in your “Project” panel, where all your files and folders are located. Simply right-click the clips you want to change the label colors for, et voila! Now you can tell which clips you’ve used and in which folder they are. It’s as easy as that! So, you don’t have to scroll through your timeline to find the clips you’re working on. You can find it with the color of its label.
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