Introduction
Here is a tutorial for you to simply, quickly and easily create your own music video.
This tutorial is intentionally simplified to allow you to approach video / audio editing.
With video
With a camcorder
At a minimum, the use of the camcorder requires knowledge of the basic functions of the camcorder.
Familiarity with the user manual will allow you to avoid handling errors and to miss shots due to lack of knowledge of the functions of your camera.
Make sure you have a charged battery before setting off, you can possibly have a second charged battery as a backup.
Write the screenplay
Making a simple video clip can be based, for example, on the length (in time) of one of your favorite music tracks.
So you already have a timescale for what you are going to film.
Choose a theme (example: flowers), your scenario will consist of an opening (start of the clip) and a closing (end of the clip).
In between, you will need to organize the progression of events to suit your inspiration.
You can order the progress of the clip according to:
- The color of the flowers (color progression),
- Places (progression of flowers from cities, flowers from the plains, flowers from the mountains),
- Genres (daisies, roses, poppies, etc ...)
- From your creativity ...
Your scenario can also be written, and more simply, according to the chronology of your shots.
Movies
A minimum knowledge of your camcorder now allows you to shoot.
As the time scale of your scenario is limited to the time of your chosen piece of music (example: 5 minutes), it is advisable to take pictures (sequences) of short duration (example: 30 seconds for a view).
Your sequences can be numerous, which will allow you to have a wider choice in the quality of what you have filmed.
Acquisition
The acquisition of your sequences to the computer can be done by direct connection (USB, 1394) if you have a digital camcorder.
In the case of a classic or DV camcorder, you will need to use a video acquisition card (internal or external (USB box)) and software to control your device.
The software supplied with your camcorder can also fulfill this function (see the instruction manual of your device).
Video montage
Video editing of a simple 5-minute clip can be done with editing (or composition) software.
Once your sequences have been acquired on your computer's hard drive, all you have to do is import them into your editing software.
Editing software may also be included with your camcorder.
You can also edit with easy-to-use software like Windows Movie Maker for example (for Microsoft systems).
- Import your video sequences, your music, into the editing software,
- Place your music on the "timeline",
- Place your sequences in the order chosen for your scenario.
A final viewing window allows you to quickly view your current edit.
Add your opening (start), closing (end) transitions, as well as the transitions that will allow you to link all your sequences.
View the result obtained in the viewing window.
The length of your video edit should match the length of the music you chose.
If you are satisfied with the result, all you have to do is export the edit as a single video / audio file.
The export will be done in the format of your choice (.avi, .mpg, .wmv) after naming this file.
With pictures
With pictures
Images or photos, the process remains the same.
Your editing software also allows you to acquire images, to set a duration for them to appear on the screen (example: 5 seconds of display per image).
Composing a video clip from photos or images becomes a video file.
Video montage
- Import your images, your music, into the editing software,
- Place your music on the "timeline",
- Place your images in the order chosen for your scenario.
A final viewing window allows you to quickly view your current edit.
Add your opening (start), closing (end) transitions, as well as the transitions that will allow you to link all your sequences.
View the result obtained in the viewing window.
The length of your video edit from frames should match the length of the music you choose.
If you are satisfied with the result, all you have to do is export the edit as a single video / audio file.
The export will be done in the format of your choice (.avi, .mpg, .wmv) after naming this file.
Software to make a "slide-show" (or slideshow)
There is software that allows you to compose slide shows like PowerPoint.
Other image viewing software also integrates the "Slide-show" function, in this case, you do not need to compose a montage (Irfanview software).
The operating system of your computer itself can integrate this function (example: "Windows XP image and fax preview").
Once this "Preview" of your first photo is launched, press the F11 key on your keyboard and your slideshow starts ...
From videos and images
You can now mix these two techniques.
By individually composing video sequences, those from images and those from filmed videos.
You will therefore realize yourself different sequences from which you will make your final cut.
Conclusion
You are now ready to start making a video clip.
To share on the internet, with family or friends, your videos will reflect your work and your creativity.
There is a plethora of easy-to-use software for video making, including Windows Movie Maker.
An intermediate range of software can help you progress.
More sophisticated production software also exists but is less easy to use, such as Adobe Première.
Wishing you pleasure in composing ...
