Online Video 101 « onlinevideoblog

HOW TO GET VIDEO ON THE WEB

4 Simple Steps to Creating Online Video 

With the advent of broadband Internet access and the proliferation of free video hosting sites like YouTube, Blip.tv, Revver and Veoh.com, today anyone with a camcorder and an Internet connection can produce a video and share it with the world.  Producing video for the Web can be a powerful marketing tool for your business.  Some benefits include:

• Free or low-cost publicity and exposure for your company
• Instant access to a worldwide audience on the Web, 24/7
• The ability to use your video hosting site’s HTML code to add the video to your own Web site

Here are 4 simple steps for getting your video on the web: 1. Produce a short video“Short” is the key word here, for several reasons: First, online viewers have a much shorter attention span when watching video on the Web.  Second, longer videos mean larger file sizes.  Most free video hosting sites have a 100MB limit; some even less.  For great, do-it-yourself, online video tools, visit Serious Magic and look at their inexpensive “Vlog It” software.  Techsmith’s Camtasia Studio software may also meet your needs for simple video production.  

2. Output your video for online viewing

Once you’ve got your video, it still needs to be encoded and compressed to make it “Internet-friendly.”  Video files can be enormous, but compression software shrinks the video file size so it plays more smoothly on the Web.  Remember to save or export your file to an online-compatible size, which is 320 X 240 resolution; and compress it so it’s under 20MB, if possible.  Be sure to save your video file in a format that most video sites accept, such as a Quicktime movie (.mov), a Windows movie (.wmv) or Flash (.flv) file. QuickTime Pro (for Windows or Mac) is ideal for compressing your video and transferring it to whatever file format you prefer (Windows, Flash, MPEG).   3. Upload to several free video hosting sitesNow comes the fun part – You get to upload your video and share it with the world!  Most of the popular video sites have relatively easy upload instructions: First, you’ll have to create an account for each site.  The video hosting sites usually have a two or three step process that allows you to browse for your video file on your computer; add a title and description; and then click “upload” to post your video file.  Most sites will also give you options for adding a thumbnail photo, selecting your genre or category or, in some cases, signing up for revenue sharing.  I suggest that you go beyond the obvious sites like YouTube and Yahoo, and upload your video to some of the newer, more feature-rich sites such as Veoh, Revver, iFilm and Stickam.  Visit the individual sites for easy upload instructions. 

4. Promote and share your new “online TV channel”After you’ve uploaded your video, the video hosting sites provide the option of “sharing” your video by giving you a link/URL that you can e-mail to your contacts.  Most sites also include a great feature that allows you to copy the HTML code and “embed” the video into your own website or blog.  Simply cut and paste the code provided into your own site.  Finally, use RSS (Really Simple Syndication) to offer “subscriptions” to your online videos. Follow these four steps and you can have your own video on numerous video websites and on your own home page, as well!

Online Video Benefits  Free! Immediate, Global. Available 24/7,  Search Engine-Friendly, Low Barrier to Entry, Opportunity for Feedback, Peer to PeerRevenue Opportunities Online Video Uses 

• Uploading to video websites
• Adding video to your own website
• Videoblogging
• Short films or sketch comedy
  • (One of our skits got more than 20,000 views on Yahoo!)
• Viral video (share and spread)
• Webcam rants

Beyond YouTube (My favorite video sites) Blip.tv

Veoh.com                 

VideoEgg

Revver              

Brightcove                 

Yahoo/CurrentTV

iFilm                 

Metacafe                   

Vimeo

HOW TO GET VIDEO ON THE WEB

4 Simple Steps to Creating Online Video  With the advent of broadband Internet access and the proliferation of free video hosting sites like YouTube, Blip.tv, Revver and Veoh.com, today anyone with a camcorder and an Internet connection can produce a video and share it with the world.  Producing video for the Web can be a powerful marketing tool for your business.  Some benefits include:

• Free or low-cost publicity and exposure for your company
• Instant access to a worldwide audience on the Web, 24/7
• The ability to use your video hosting site’s HTML code to add the video to your own Web site

Here are 4 simple steps for getting your video on the web:  1. Produce a short video“Short” is the key word here, for several reasons: First, online viewers have a much shorter attention span when watching video on the Web.  Second, longer videos mean larger file sizes.  Most free video hosting sites have a 100MB limit; some even less.  For great, do-it-yourself, online video tools, visit Serious Magic and look at their inexpensive “Vlog It” software.  Techsmith’s Camtasia Studio software may also meet your needs for simple video production.  2. Output your video for online viewingOnce you’ve got your video, it still needs to be encoded and compressed to make it “Internet-friendly.”  Video files can be enormous, but compression software shrinks the video file size so it plays more smoothly on the Web.  Remember to save or export your file to an online-compatible size, which is 320 X 240 resolution; and compress it so it’s under 20MB, if possible.  Be sure to save your video file in a format that most video sites accept, such as a Quicktime movie (.mov), a Windows movie (.wmv) or Flash (.flv) file. QuickTime Pro (for Windows or Mac) is ideal for compressing your video and transferring it to whatever file format you prefer (Windows, Flash, MPEG).   3. Upload to several free video hosting sitesNow comes the fun part – You get to upload your video and share it with the world!  Most of the popular video sites have relatively easy upload instructions: First, you’ll have to create an account for each site.  The video hosting sites usually have a two or three step process that allows you to browse for your video file on your computer; add a title and description; and then click “upload” to post your video file.  Most sites will also give you options for adding a thumbnail photo, selecting your genre or category or, in some cases, signing up for revenue sharing.  I suggest that you go beyond the obvious sites like YouTube and Yahoo, and upload your video to some of the newer, more feature-rich sites such as Veoh, Revver, iFilm and Stickam.  Visit the individual sites for easy upload instructions.  4. Promote and share your new “online TV channel”After you’ve uploaded your video, the video hosting sites provide the option of “sharing” your video by giving you a link/URL that you can e-mail to your contacts.  Most sites also include a great feature that allows you to copy the HTML code and “embed” the video into your own website or blog.  Simply cut and paste the code provided into your own site.  Finally, use RSS (Really Simple Syndication) to offer “subscriptions” to your online videos. Follow these four steps and you can have your own video on numerous video websites and on your own home page, as well!

VIDEO COMPOSITION 

1.    Use a wide shot as an establishing shot.

2.    Medium shots establish relationship between objects in the frame. (usually waist up shot)

3.    Close-up or tight shots are used to reveal subject’s details and reactions.  (Close shots are ideal if movie will be viewed on a small screen, i.e. a QuickTime movie viewed on a computer) 4.    Use the “Rule of Thirds” – Divide screen in imaginary thirdsa.    Don’t put the subject “dead-center” of the frame (unless the shot is a close-up or talking head)b.   On tighter shots, position subject’s eyes on upper-third linec.    For two-shots, position subjects so they’re about at the two vertical “rule of thirds” lines

5.    Watch for awkward backgrounds.  Shoot from another angle if necessary.

6.    Look for the best angle to shoot your subject.  Look for the best shooting position in terms of framing, lighting, and backgrounds.

7.    Vary your shots and angles.  Change camera positions.  Try to cover the same action from different shots and angles, so you’ll have more options when editing.

8.    Remember to shoot “cut-aways” when possible.  These are typically “reaction” shots, audience shots, etc.  “Cut-ins” are also helpful.  These are usually close-up shots, like seeing what’s in the pan during a cooking show.  Cut-ins and cut-aways provide good “B-roll” to give you flexibility and variety during editing.

9.    More elaborate shots include “dolly” shots or tracking shots.  This is where you move along with the action or follow the action.  Remember to use a steady hand.

10.                       Don’t forget the “180 Degree” rule.  That’s an invisible line that connects two people or objects being shot.  If you cross “the line,” it will confuse and disorient your viewer. 

TIPS & TECHNIQUES FOR VIDEO SHOOTING 

1.    Be ready. Get the shot!  (Batteries charged, film in camera, hit record!) 2.    Keep the camera steady. Use a tripod whenever possible.

3.    Limit Zooming and Panning – Use sparingly!

4.    To maintain focus: Zoom all the way in on subject, then focus manually; then zoom back out.

5.    If/when lighting, use “3-point” lighting:a.    Key light – Primary source of illuminationb.   Fill light – Secondary light  to fill shadowsc.    Back light – Separates subject from background 

Notes for interview shoots: Frame the subject head & shoulders – leave a little “head room” on top.  If subject is talking to an interviewer off camera, leave a little “talk space” in front of the person’s face.  Always use a tripod! The subject being interviewed should not look directly into the camera – They should look just off-camera.  The camera should be more or less level with the subject’s face.  Notes for shooting speeches or presentations: Get audience reaction shots before or after the talk (if using only one camera).  These can be used as cut-aways when editing.  Avoid panning around the audience while the subject is speaking. 

Online video, video blogs, vlogs or vodcasts are all different names for the same basic concept: Using the Internet to broadcast a video message.  As an advertising and promotion tool, online video is exploding in popularity.  Putting video on your Web site or blog is a low-cost way to get in on the Online Video Revolution.  There are several ways you can use your own “TV channel” on the web:  

• Tape a personal introduction or welcome message for your website
• Publicize or highlight a special product offer or company promotion
• Share company news, updates or executive briefings with your customers
• Use your video for product demos or training
• Videotape customer testimonials to generate new business

More later…

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