How to Make a Promotional Video of Your Work and Have Fun Doing It!

comments (0) July 2nd, 2009

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HomesForRoses, member

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Video Length: 00:24
Produced by: Myself

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Hello there!

I have just finished my Summer collection of buttons and button application projects and was trying to find a different way to promote it.

I heard about people making films of featured items so I decidde to give it a try. I think it turned out quite ok bearing in mind I know nothing about this type of programmes! It also attracted quite a lot of people to my blog which can only be good. And that is why I thought about sharing it all with you: - If I can do it; YOU can do it TOO!!!

Let's start, then...

Step 1: Pictures

I started by taking some pictures of one of my favourite projects: - It's a vest and boxer shorts set which I embelished with a fabric construct pin and my own handmade buttons. It comes in a customised easy drawstring bag. First I selected the "BURST" option on my camera, as this will take 3 shots of motion images. I also selected the "TIMER" so the photos could be taken automatically while I was handling the bag and the set. It took me about 4 "SNAPS" to get enough photos of me showing the bag, then how to open it and then it´s contents. You can think of your own line of "SNAPS" depending on how much you want to show about your project.

TIP! Think about telling a story in slow motion and without sound. This will guide you to take the best photos.

Step 2: Download

After taking the pictures I downloaded them to the computer. I worked one by one to get the right light and colour and named them in the chronological order to suit my "imaginary" slow motion film.

Step 3: Windows Movie Maker

Them I was searching for something named "quick time" in my computer (as per my boyfriend's instructions) when I found something far easier: - Windows Movie Maker (look in "Start">"All Programmes">"Accessories"). The Movie Maker gives you all the instructions on how to start which is just great!! First drag your fresh taken pictures to the project space at the top of the programme window. Then start to drag each picture to the smaller individual frames at the bottom.

Now click on the button that says "Time Line". This will show you that the frames are spaced within a set time of 1 minute, so to make a movie out of your "BURST" pictures you need to shorten this time! Just place the mouse on the top of each frame (sligthly to the right margin of the frame) and a red arrow will appear telling you you can cut the time by sliding the mouse/arrow to the left. Give it about 1 second per image to create a film feeling or 2 to 4 seconds to really flash an image of the project and add special effects. You can check the progress of the work by clicking the play button of the screen on the far right end of the programme window.

It's so easy!!!! I just couldn't believe it!

Step 4: Music

Although your pictures are now moving along, fadding, ageing, flashing, swirling across the screen, you still need a final touch to make it a real movie: - a soundtrack.

If your video is only short, try to choose music sections without words. I just went to my computer's playlist and dragged a file from there to the project space at the top of the Windows Movie Maker window. You will find a space for "Audio/Music" on the "Time Line". Drag the music file to there. Now play the film on the testing screen. Is it the right track? Do you need more time? Could you use 2 tracks? Just work it "baby"! This programme is so intuitive it will boost your creativity.

Step 5: The End

Now all you need to do is save the film.

First save the whole project so you can come back to it to make any changes - "File">"Save file as"

Second save the film itself by going to "File"> "Save film file">, on your COMPUTER, in the best RESOLUTION for your needs (I used the drop-down menu option "Other definitions"> "Broadband 512 Kbps").

The film is now ready to be uploaded to your website or blog for it´s first premiere!!

TIP! Add a final frame to the film with credits (you can make this in a PowerPoint or Word file)

TIP! Enjoy the most of making this film, which is a project by itself and do explore Windows Movie Maker beyhond what is explained above. These are only guiding setps to show how easy it is to make something different!!

Good luck, have fun and I look forward to hear from your projects! ;)