112 How to Create Video Files that Aren t Actually Video
How to Create Video Files that Aren t t Actually Video or Sometimes A Video Isn t t Really A Video Steve Haskin Principal, S>Media Industrial Strength Learning What we ll cover in this session: > What really makes a video your learners can benefit from. > How to use development tools you already have to create a video > Four different ways to animate a picture > When it makes sense to make video Page 1
What really makes a video your learners can benefit from? > Is it the fact that video is as cool to watch as it is to make? Or > It s easy to do so you want them to have video? > The equipment and software is cheap so you might as well do it. > What about THE STORY!!!!!!! Page 2
What really makes a video your learners can benefit from? > Video tells a story >Without a story, you ve got no video > The story might be >A demonstration of how a product or tool works or >A story about how to do something or >How to interact (soft skills) > People who learn from stories and retain the information do better on evaluations three months after learning than people who learn by rote. What really makes a video your learners can benefit from? > The only thing to remember about video and what makes a video your learners can benefit from is that if it tells a story (of course it must be pertinent to their work!) then they ll benefit. Page 3
Do I have development tools to make video? > Yes. If you have PowerPoint, you can make video. > But it s nice to have other tools such as: >Photoshop (or Elements) >After Effects >Premiere Pro (Final Cut if you use a Mac) (or Elements) >Sound Forge or Audacity (if you want free) >Sound is at least as important as video > That s all it takes So how do I make video > It s easy with a camera but you don t need one > Look for visual assets that will tell the story such as >Photographs >Drawings >Words that you can animate >Imagination to visualize your training Page 4
So what do you do? >First, have a story without a story arc, you ve got nothing >Second, figure out how you are going to tell the story this means: >What will it really take to do it? >What will I need to do it? >Pictures, Words, Actors, cameras, mics, etc., etc., etc. whatever How do I do it? >Making a video has three steps (even if it s a video not video): >Pre-Production >Production >Post-Production >How do they work? Page 5
How do I do it? (cont.) > Pre-production >Writing the script >Scouting locations (even if it s an office inside your building) >Gathering the equipment and people you ll need >Camera, lights, mics, tapes, etc. etc. etc. (Do you have enough extension cords?) >Rent vs. buy (how often will you be doing production) >Do I need any other production crew (sound, lighting, etc.) >Getting ready for the big day How do I do it? Live video > Production >Getting the equipment there and set up you can t be too early or getting your software running >Working with your actors especially if they re not actors >Actually doing the video work and listening to what your actors are doing Page 6
How do I do it? (cont.) > Post-Production (this is where it really gets made) >Most of Video Not Video is pre and post because you re never out there shooting that s the whole idea! >You can have the best shots in the world, but they have to be made coherent and finished >Getting it into your computer (I WILL NOT be drawn into a silly debate about which is better, PC or Mac reality dictates that either one gets the job done) >Working with your video and sound >Making your story and titles, finishing it off What do I need to finish my video > Hardware >Computer with a reasonably fast processor and at least 2GB or memory (RAM) and a fire wire port >Editing software (it really doesn t matter which one you use): >Final Cut (Mac only) >Premiere Pro >Vegas (PC only) >Effects software if you really need it >Sound mixing and correcting software Page 7
OK, it s s done. Now what do I do? > You need Flash > You encode it watch this. > You move it to your server > You re done well, you have to set up the web pages or embed it or whatever, then you link it and NOW you re done > This is easier said than done What s s next > On the Adobe Front >New versions of: >Flash >Premiere Pro >After Effects and last, but not least >PHOTOSHOP >All offer a workflow that is almost seamlessly integrated Page 8
What s s next-2 > HD Cameras that record decent HD are cheap. >You can buy an HD cam with a decent picture for $150 or so. > Software is getting cheaper and easier to use >The pro software isn t getting cheaper, but the consumer software has more features and costs less than $100 > Lights and mics aren t getting more expensive (if you re into using them) >And that s not a bad thing. Questions????? Page 9