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.
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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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What Is A Lower Third And How To Use It Correctly?
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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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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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
Photo Credits – https://www.adobe.com/products/premiere.html
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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5 Important Elements Of A Successful Product Video
5 Important Elements Of A Successful Product Video
One of the best forms of promotion for a company’s product or service is a video. No matter what kind of video it is, whether it’s an actual advertisement or a product showcase, it is the best way to show how amazing your products or services are. However, there are a few things companies don’t use to create the best videos for their products, but these elements are very important. Don’t worry, we’ll tell you exactly what these elements are, so you can avoid making those mistakes. So, here are 5 important elements of a successful product video.
1. Have A Strategy
While a product video is normally short, it still requires a lot of planning. That’s because a lot of visual elements need to be added so that your products are showcased to the best of their ability. Think about all the adverts you see on TV. Although they look simple and would probably take less than a day to shoot, a lot of planning, scheduling, and re-drafting happens long before the advert is even published. The same thing can be said for tutorial videos or demo videos.
So, before you decide to film the video, or even edit it, you will need to have your strategy in place. This can take a few months to even a few years. Good product videos take time and effort to plan for, especially if you want to build a large set for the video, or if you need to ask permission for some things, like locations, release forms, etc. So, make sure you plan ahead of the actual shoot. Don’t schedule one, unless you have all these elements in place. Otherwise, you will need to film without the elements you want or need, or you will need to reschedule the shoot itself.
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2. Focus On How Useful It Is
While you might want to highlight all the new and important features of your product, the product collection or service, sometimes it’s not necessary. Sometimes, all you need, to promote your product is what it can do to help improve your customers’ lives. Most of the time, you want to make a product video for potential customers. So, you need to address what your customers are looking for.
So, for example, if you’re selling a new phone, instead of listing out all the new features it has, list out how it can help your customers. If the phone has the latest camera technology, or high megapixel rates, customers don’t really need to know, they just need to know that it can take really good vacation photos. That’s why you need to cater your video to what it is they want. Show them that they can take amazing vacation photos, and only include those features if you think it’s necessary.
3. Real World Application
One of the most relatable elements you can add to your video is the real-world use of your products. So, if you managed to get people to test out your products or services, make sure you film it, of course, if it will help promote your product. You may not want to include the videos that show them struggling with your product, or not really knowing how to use it. Only show the ones who do know how to use it, and how useful it is to them.
Real-world applications, testimonials, and test runs are great additions to any product video because it shows that your product can help your customers. Not only that, it’ll help your potential customers to relate to your company. It’ll convince them, because those testimonials and test runs are done by people who aren’t affiliated with your company, meaning they’ll know that they’re looking at real reviews.
4. Film Alternatives
So, you have a storyboard, script, and a plan, but don’t forget that filming something is a collaborative job. That’s why if your cast and crew have ideas that could be implemented, give it a try. The worst that could happen is that it gets dropped on the editing floor, and in any case, you could use that footage in another video, depending on what it is you’re shooting. For example, if you’re shooting your product in the real world, and it doesn’t make it into the video, you can always use it in another product video in the same line/collection. So, by filming alternatives, you’ll have footage for your next product video. Or you could use them as bloopers, to show just how personable your company is.
5. Good Editing
One of the most important elements of a good video, let alone a good product video, is good editing. The edit of a video dictates how well your audience receives it. Think about it this way, a video is like reading a book, except instead of reading words, you’re watching strings of video clips that make up a story. In writing, the better the grammar, the better the story. In videos, the better the editing, the better the video. So, if you want to keep your audience glued to your videos, make sure your editing keeps it interesting. Speed up your video, when it needs to, or slow it down. Whatever you do, make sure you have a good video editor who can give you the best edit for your videos.
Trust Cut Pro Media
While we can’t speak for the other elements of a product video, we most certainly can help with the editing. Our team of experienced video editors will ensure that your product videos are not only informative but entertaining as well. Your product videos are in safe hands with us. We’ll make sure that your product video has all the elements it needs, to appeal to your audience. Want a riveting story? No worries. Want testimonials? It’s done. Not only that, but our customer service team is on hand 24/7, to ensure your videos are to your satisfaction. So, check out our website and price packages, for more information. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for, get in touch. We’ll be more than happy to help you with any of your queries.
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5 Best Real Estate Videos To Inspire Your Next Idea
5 Best Real Estate Videos To Inspire Your Next Idea
Creating engaging videos for your property portfolio is one of the best ways to get potential customers to buy them from you. Not only that, they’ll also help your customers understand the ins and outs of buying properties, no matter what kind of property it is. So, having a wide range of videos on hand will help your business to grow, not only financially, but in reputation as well. So, here are 5 best real estate videos to inspire your next idea.
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1. LUXURY PENTHOUSE APARTMENT TOUR | CINEMATIC REAL ESTATE VIDEO IN 4K | SONY FX6
You can never go wrong with a cinematic tour of your properties. The soft jazz, coupled with slow-downs and speed-ups is the perfect combination. They’ll not only highlight the main features of a property but with the right colour grading, camera equipment and shots, you’re guaranteed to draw in new customers.
Just take a look at this video. While it’s an example of what a camera can do, it is an attractive piece, for anyone looking to buy a penthouse apartment. And, if this type of video were on a real estate website, there’s no doubt that potential customers will want to see the specifications of the apartment for themselves. The lush furniture and the panoramic views of the city below are the perfect attraction points for this video. So, if you’re stuck for ideas, why not create a cinematic video for your properties, even if they’re unfurnished, giving your customers a view of what could be their new property will inspire them.
2. Realtor Commercial Promotional Video | Real Estate Agent
One of the best ways to get your customers into the door is by letting them know who they’re dealing with. So, promote yourselves! Create a video that showcases not only the houses you sell but the people who do the selling too. When your customers see how much you enjoy your work, they’ll want to work with you.
This video by a realtor in Bend, Oregon, is one of the best examples of this kind of video. She’s not only promoting the business she’s in, but herself as well. By using bright and soft locations, as well as stock footage, and using a neutral colour palette, she’s showing off just how warm and inviting she is, along with the types of properties she’s selling. Not only that, but she’s speaking as if she’s in an interview, talking about herself and what she loves about her job. This not only makes her personable but approachable as well. By making your staff seem approachable, you’re guaranteed to draw in clients who’ll want to listen to them and their advice.
3. How To Buy Your First Rental Property (Step by Step)
A “How To” guide is one of the best ways to help your customers. Whether they’re potential or existing customers, a guide is one of the first things that people look to, before making a big purchase like a property. They’ll want to know what to expect when they start looking, so they know they’re getting value for their money.
A guide like this one can help your customers understand what it is they need to look out for, when they’re buying properties, regardless of whether or not it’s with your company. Many companies may write blog posts, or actual written guides, to help potential buyers, but in a world, that’s becoming increasingly visual, having a video to aid those posts and guides will definitely help. While this video is simple in its design, it is still very attractive. It’s meant to be educational and informative, so any extra editing isn’t required. It’s not meant to be promotional, so there’s no need to showcase properties in it. So, if you’re looking to create similar videos, remember that. The simpler, the better.
4. Under One Roof | Find a home that’s perfect for you
While a standard advert is already widely used, it’s also one of the best ways to get your company’s name out in the world. The only thing you need to do is create it, so it matches the customers you want to draw in. It’s no good creating an advert for your company, if it doesn’t match your customer profiles.
This company created an advert that makes the idea of buying a property a life decision that keeps going back and forth. Even the house is physically rocking as the couple continue to suggest ideas. The suspense in this advert is the way in which their house keeps moving from one place to another. And it’s not until the end do you realise that it’s a group of people, working for the company that’s moving it. It’s a simple idea, and one of the best ways to draw in potential customers, because it echoes their indecision. So, create an advert that resonates with the customers you want to attract.
5. Relocating On A Budget | A Place In The Sun
Seeing an example of what it’s like, showing customers your properties can help your business to grow. One of the best examples of this is the UK documentary A Place In The Sun. The premise of the TV programme is to show potential buyers 5 different properties that could potentially be their new home. It’s one of the best ways to draw in new customers.
Making a TV show like this isn’t that hard to do. Of course, it may require a bigger budget than most video types out there, but it is one of the best ways to get new customers to rely on your company. It can be easier to make shorter videos for social media, but buying a property can be a daunting task, so, showing the process of it can help new buyers understand that it doesn’t have to be so terrifying. If you do decide to create a programme like this, be sure to do your research, and make sure you get your customers’ consent before you film them.
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How To Edit A Music Video Like A Pro
How To Edit A Music Video Like A Pro
If you think editing a music video is easy because It’s only 3 minutes, you’d be wrong. Editing a music video is an art in itself, because you’re not editing a story together (although sometimes, you might), but because you’re editing footage and animation to the beat of a music track. And sometimes, those beats are very quick. After all, you can get a beat that lasts less than half a second. So, how do you edit a music video and make it look professional enough? Don’t worry. Here are a few tips to show you how to edit a music video like a pro.
Use Timeline Markers
One of the best tools in your video editing shed are timeline markers. They help you map out where you want to cut your footage, to fit the beat of your music. So, if you’re creating montages or flash cuts, these markers can aid you in finding the beat. Think about it this way; they act like a conductor for an orchestra. They mark out the beat of the music, so you know where to end a specific clip and when to begin a new one. They’re a handy tool, especially when working with fast-paced music. So, playing the same part of the song on repeat, you only need to listen to it once, mark out the beat, and carry on. All you need is a good sense of rhythm.
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Auto-Sequencing
This is another great tool in your shed. And you can use this alongside your timeline markers. With auto-sequencing, all you need to do is select the clips of footage you want in your video, select the auto-sequencing function, and let your video editing software do the rest. Of course, not all video editing software will have this function, but you can access it if you’re working with Adobe Premiere Pro. It’ll save you time and energy because it does the hard work for you. So, you no longer need to line up hundreds of clips on your timeline, edit them down to your marker, and adjust them. It’ll only take a few clicks, and your sequence is ready for you. The only caveat is that you’ll need to have your in and out points already marked on your footage.
In And Out Points
When it comes to editing recorded footage, you may have hours of footage that you need to go through before adding it to your music video. Of course, the amateur way to edit is to drag each recording to your timeline and edit it down to the clip you want. Save yourself the headache by viewing your footage in preview mode and selecting the “in” point (where the clip you want should start) and the “out” point (where you want the clip to end). It’s as simple as that. That way, when the time comes to start putting your video together, you don’t need to scroll through hours of footage, just drag and drop the clip to the timeline and you’re done!
Masking And Tracking
Sometimes, your musicians may use a green screen for complicated animated sequences. And sometimes, you’ll have to adjust the animation to fit where on the screen those musicians are. It can take days, even weeks, to edit a sequence manually. That’s why video editing software, like Adobe Premiere Pro and Apple’s Final Cut Pro, have added a masking and tracking option to their toolkit. This automatically renders a video to track whatever it is you want to track. So, if the subject in the footage changes position and distance, you can track them with this tool. Although, you may have to adjust the masking tool to fit the subject as they move. You don’t want to see the green screen come through, or let the background and animation cut through your subject, do you?
Keyframing
If you’re including footage or animations, or even images, on top of the footage you already have on your timeline, you’ll need to work with keyframes. This allows you to animate the footage, animation, or image you want on top of the clip that’s already on your timeline. So, for example, you need to add a certain piece of footage to the TV screen of the clip already in your timeline; you’d use the keyframing tool to help you edit that footage in the right way. It can be tricky, but once you get the hang of working with keyframes, you’ll be editing footage on top of footage like a pro in no time.
Dynamic Transitions
Nowadays, music videos heavily rely on dynamic transitions. Whether it’s a tunnel effect, swipes, or even cuts to black, dynamic transitions are the hallmark of a good music video. These also move to the beat of a track. If you look at all those musical TikTok videos, where the influencer drops their arms in front of their body to reveal a complicated makeup look or a cosplay costume, that’s exactly what we mean. It’s a simple match cut, but it is very effective. So, you’ll need all the tools you’ve previously used to create this type of transition. It’s not just about making a cut or a fade look good. It’s about making it seamless and entertaining. After all, that’s what a music video is all about. It’s there to entertain their audiences.
Save Yourself The Headache
Of course, it can be very time consuming to edit a video, let alone a music video. So, save yourself the headache and trust a professional to do it for you. We at Cut Pro Media have teams of video editors who know exactly how a music video should be made and will create one that can rival even the biggest artists out there. So, if you want to save yourself the hassle of learning how to edit a music video, let the pros do that for you. We can guarantee speedy delivery and amazing customer service. So, check out our website and our price packages for more information.
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How To Create A Video Ad That People Want To Watch
How To Create A Video Ad That People Want To Watch
Have you ever come across an advert that drew in from the very first second, and you had to watch it all the way through? There are a few rare ones like that, but there is a secret to why they work. They tell subtle stories, and they aren’t as in your face as traditional adverts. Of course, there are a few conventional adverts out there that still grab your attention, but it’s the subtle storytelling that makes a difference and has a bigger impact. So, if you want to know how to create a video ad that people want to watch, keep reading.
1. Every Advert Has A Story
One of the most effective ways to hook your viewers is to create a story. But don’t just create any story. The best stories relate to your viewers, their experiences, and whatever they value most. Not only that, but they should reflect your company’s values too. To do that, you’ll need to decide who your target audience is and what traits they all have in common. Match those traits with what your company values, and then create a story that reflects all of that.
So, say for example, you’re a real estate business, you’ll want to sell houses to your customers. Now, most buyers tend to be couples looking to start a family. They’ll want a house in a quiet neighbourhood, with access to good schools and somewhere close to the city, so they can commute to their jobs. Now, look at your company and its values. Can you match it up with what these couples want? If so, then you can start building your story.
One of the best examples of this is from a recent advert by RightMove, in the UK. They use the story of a family growing up in a house after finding it on their website. It uses unfinished sentences to bring attention to the story it’s telling and eventually ends with, “And this is the moment we find it.”. It’s simple, but it’s effective. So, think about what values your company and what your customers value and build a story around it.
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2. Make It Colourful
The old adage “bolder is better” is true in many cases because we all love anything bright, colourful, and bold. Our eyes are drawn to vibrant colours, so your advert should reflect this. So, when you’re creating footage, try to make it as bright and colourful as you can. If you can’t, then ask your video editor to do it for you. Most of the time, cameras can’t capture the vibrancy of colours because they adjust to certain aspects of light, so you’ll need to colour grade your footage in the editing process. This can be time consuming, but if you know what you’re doing and you have the right tools and software, this should be a breeze to you.
However, be sure the vibrancy of your colours fit your company’s aesthetics. After all, if you’re a bakery tailored to weddings, you don’t want any bright neon or overly saturated colours. Instead, you’ll want a gentler palette with whites, pinks, and forest greens. You’ll want colours that reflect the springtime nature of a wedding, with lots of florals and calligraphic flourishes. So, make your videos colourful but aesthetically accurate for your company.
3. Infographic And Animations
Animations, cartoons, and infographics are fast becoming popular in our digital world. So, why not make your adverts animated? Short cartoons and animations are much more expressive than recorded footage. There’s a unique quality to animation that brings out the inner child in every viewer. So, instead of filming someone, create a cartoon. They’re a lot more cost-effective because you don’t need to hire actors, locations, props, costumes and even permissions. All you need are a few good cartoon artists, voiceover artists and a recording studio.
Cartoons and animation have always been popular since the dawn of film, so why not utilise its popularity and its ability to connect to audience emotions? It can be as hyper-realistic or as simple as you want it to be. In fact, because cartoons and animations can tap into a deeper emotional reaction, it’s even more effective than a story. Think of the Heinz Baked Beans advert. It’s literally an advert about baked beans, but because of the animated aspect and the gentle music behind it, the story is much more effective and emotional (and why they’re used at Christmas time). That’s what animation does to a story. So, why not use it in yours?
4. Add That Wow Factor
The last thing you need in your advert is that “wow” factor. That means either making it shocking, funny or just that little bit strange to stand out amongst the rest. It doesn’t have to be a major factor. It can be subtle, like a joke that everyone laughs at or an artistic take on something, like a ballerina dancing in front of a graffiti wall or an elderly man trying to break free from a nursing home (Adidas, 2016). It’s in that shock, joke, or artistic take on something that draws people in. So, make up something unique and original to your company and watch as people start quoting it on the street or describing your advert to their friends and family.
Be Unique
All you need for a video advert that people want to watch is something unique. Everyone wants something original and different to what they usually see on their screens. Like inventing new technology or coming up with a new scientific theory, creating a video advert needs a different approach to what’s already out there. It also requires good editing, which we at Cut Pro Media can provide. Our team of experienced editors know what they’re doing and will match whatever vision you throw at them. Check out our price packages for more information. We promise we won’t disappoint.
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10 Songs That Are Perfect For Your Wedding Highlights
10 Songs That Are Perfect For Your Wedding Highlights
Sometimes, trusting your video editor to make all post-production decisions for you might be a good idea. But there will be times when their decisions might not be the best fit, especially if you want them to create a wedding highlights video for you. You’ll need to remember these videos are personal and will need to reflect your personal taste, no matter who they are. So, that means using songs that they’ll forever associate with their wedding. But don’t worry. We’ve chosen 10 songs that are perfect for any wedding highlights video.
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1. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
This is one of the most romantic songs of all time, and guaranteed, thousands of couples have had their first dance to this song. So, why not jump onto the bandwagon? It’ll be memorable and meaningful for your wedding highlights video. And it’ll help with remembering the vows you made to each other. After all, you promised to be with each other even “when your hair is overgrown, and your memory fades”.
2. Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis Presley
Hearing one of the most iconic 20th Century singers crooning a romantic ballad over a wedding ceremony is cliché. But it also perfectly sets the mood for any wedding highlights video. So, why not include it in yours? You’ll remember that feeling of seeing each other for the first time, in that suit or dress, and falling in love with each other again. Nothing could be more meaningful than that.
3. Just The Way You Are – Bruno Mars
If you want something a little more upbeat, why not add this song by Bruno Mars to your wedding highlights video? It captures the romantic essence of any wedding, and it’ll bring a smile to your face every time you hear it blasting over your speakers. Not only that, but it’ll break away from the ballads that you’ll most likely get for your wedding highlights video.
4. All Of Me – John Legend
These words coming from your loved one is something everyone wants to hear. So, why not emphasise how important your wedding is by using this song for your wedding highlights video? It’ll remind you of the reason why you married each other. After all, that is exactly what you do with your wedding vows, anyway. You give “all of yourself” to each other. So why not celebrate it?
5. The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
This song is a timeless classic by a timeless singer. This song embodies romance, devotion, love, and hope. There are thousands of renditions and covers that could easily be used for your wedding highlights video. So, choose one that you’ll both love. After all, it is one of the most iconic love songs in the world, so why not have it play over the most iconic day of your lives?
6. Shallow – Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
Getting married is the pinnacle of falling in love. That’s why people do it and having this song in your wedding highlights video will remind you of how deeply you fell in love with each other. So, why not use it, both in the wedding itself and as part of your video? It’ll help you remember that when you’re in love, you’ll feel like you’re “off the deep end”, and you’ll “never meet the ground”.
7. Flying Without Wings – Westlife
Have you listened to this song? Can you imagine watching a bride make her way down the aisle, all the while staring at her groom? If you can, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have it in your wedding highlights video. After all, you’ll feel like you’re “flying without wings” on the Big Day anyway. So, recapture those feelings with this song.
8. A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson
Having that sense of fate and destiny working to bring you together is a part of a wedding day. After all, the celebrant may say it’s fate that brought you together. You might say it in your vows. And even your parents may say it in their toast speech to you. So, having it as part of your wedding video is a no-brainer. It’ll recapture that moment when you felt like the universe was telling you “it was all meant to be”.
9. Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Elton John
Who doesn’t think of Disney when they think of romance? After all, their early cartoon films were about romance, like Beauty And The Beast (1991), Cinderella (1950), Aladdin (1992) and even The Lion King (1994) had a romantic plotline. So, why not include some of their iconic songs in your wedding highlights video? It’ll not only awaken your inner child, but it’ll also recapture the romance of the day.
10. Perfect – Ed Sheeran
Like Thinking Out Loud, Perfect is one of the best songs to have on your wedding highlights video. After all, it was written to celebrate Sheeran’s own grandparents’ wedding anniversary. So, use it to celebrate yours. It’ll help you recapture that sense of falling in love for the first time.
It’s All About What You Want
In the end, these songs are simply suggestions and sometimes, it’s up to you to choose which one fits your wedding style more. After all, there are some crazy ideas out there (like a Shrek wedding!), so the song needs to fit the theme. But, of course, it’s hard to know if your video editor will listen to your opinions. So, why don’t you choose a video editing service, like Cut Pro Media, to listen to your voice? We can promise high-quality videos with the style and themes that match you and your wedding. So, even if you have a themed wedding, our video editors will match that theme perfectly. Have a Star Wars theme? We’ve got you covered. Do you want a 1920s jazz theme? Done. Our professionally trained and highly skilled video editors will do exactly what you want for your wedding highlights video, no questions asked. Why don’t you check out our website for our affordable price packages if you’re still not convinced? We promise we won’t disappoint.
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