12 min read
Make Videos
How & Why
Of course, one way to express yourself is through video. Personally, I use them extensively for presentations, YouTube channels, and new projects related to human resources management, talent management, management training, and organisational development.
In response to frequently asked questions, I have compiled some information on how you can create your own videos. All you need to do is familiarise yourself with certain programmes, and just like everything else on the web, you can find both simple and complex ways and programmes to do it. You can complete some tasks on your phone, while others necessitate a computer.
Video to watch
Worth seeing
Video Editing
Editing on phone
Quick advice
Here are some tips and advice that I remember and apply personally:
(Some people say that, I know, but quite frankly, it doesn’t always look like that.)
Yes, you can record a video with your phone and send or upload it immediately. But it might not be the very best result you get. Some of the key questions you have to ask yourself are: What quality do you want to make it?
Especially when you make videos where you are hand-holding your camera. Is it a good idea to be ready to be able to cut a few seconds off? At the beginning and at the end.
It is also a good idea to make sure each cut takes more than 10 seconds. It can be quite disorienting to watch. If the cut is shorter,.
It is also important that you hold your camera quite still; it is never nice when things are bumping up and down.
It is also important to think about the light, both when making video inside and outside. Like, the sounds are important.
When you get more professional, here are ten important pieces of advice to consider when making a video:
Plan Thoroughly: Pre-production planning is crucial. Develop a clear concept, write a detailed script, storyboard key scenes, and create a shot list. This preparation helps ensure that the filming process runs smoothly.
Invest in Quality Equipment: While creativity is more important than gear, having quality equipment can significantly enhance your video. Use a good camera, microphones, and lighting. Proper lighting and sound quality can make a big difference in the overall production value.
Focus on Storytelling: A strong narrative keeps viewers engaged. Make sure your story has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Develop your characters and plot to ensure that the audience remains interested throughout.
Pay attention to composition, which is the arrangement of elements in your shots. To create visually appealing scenes, use techniques like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing. A well-composed shot can convey more meaning and emotion.
Lighting is key. Good lighting can make your video look more professional and polished. Understand the basics of three-point lighting, natural light, and how to use shadows effectively. Always ensure your subject is well-lit.
Capture clear audio: Poor audio quality can ruin a great video. Use external microphones and monitor sound levels closely. Consider your filming location’s acoustics and minimise background noise.
Edit with Care: Post-production is where your video comes to life. Use editing software to trim unnecessary footage, enhance colours, add music or sound effects, and correct any issues. Ensure your edits maintain a good flow and pace.
Engage Your Audience: Begin by hooking your viewers with an intriguing opening. Maintain their interest with dynamic shots, interesting content, and a captivating story. Engage with your audience by addressing them directly or posing questions.
Pay attention to the details. Small details can make a big difference. Check for continuity errors, ensure props and sets are consistent, and pay attention to costumes and makeup. Consistency helps maintain the illusion of reality.
Promote and Distribute Effectively: Once your video is complete, make sure it reaches your target audience. Use social media, video-sharing platforms, and other marketing strategies to promote your video. Optimise your video title, description, and tags for search engines.
Q & A
Copyright law, which varies by country but generally follows similar principles, governs the use of sound and music in your private videos. Here are the key points to consider:
- Copyright Ownership: Copyright protects most music and sound recordings. This means that the creator or the rights holder has exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, and create derivative works from their material.
- Fair Use Doctrine: In some cases, you might be able to use copyrighted material without permission under the fair use doctrine (or similar concepts like “fair dealing” in other jurisdictions). Fair use typically applies to purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. However, this is a complex area of law, and using music or sound for fair use in private videos can be legally risky if you do not have proper legal advice.
- Licensing Requirements: To use copyrighted music or sound in your private video, you typically need to obtain a license. This could involve paying a fee and getting permission from the rights holder. You can obtain licenses through music libraries, licensing companies, or directly from the rights holder.
- Personal Use Exceptions: In some jurisdictions, there might be specific exceptions for personal, non-commercial use. However, these exceptions are often narrow and do not typically cover public distribution or sharing, even if the video is non-commercial.
- Public Performance Rights: Even if you have purchased a piece of music (like a CD or a digital download), you generally do not have the right to use it in a video unless you obtain the proper licensing. This is because purchasing music typically gives you the right to listen to it, not reproduce it in other media.
- Royalty-Free and Creative Commons Music: To avoid copyright issues, consider using royalty-free music or music licensed under Creative Commons. You can use royalty-free music without paying ongoing royalties, although you might need to pay an initial fee. Creative Commons licenses allow you to use the music for free under certain conditions, such as attributing the creator.
It is advisable to ensure compliance with the law when using music in your private videos.
- Obtain Proper Licenses: Contact the rights holders, or use music from licensed sources that explicitly allow for use in videos.
- Use royalty-free or Creative Commons music: These are readily available online and often come with clear usage terms.
- Consult Legal Advice: If you are unsure about the legality of your use, consulting with a legal expert in copyright law can provide clarity and prevent potential legal issues.
Always remember that copyright laws are there to protect creators’ rights, so respecting these laws not only keeps you legally safe but also supports artists and their work.
Using short clips of copyrighted music, such as 5, 7, or 10 seconds, does not automatically qualify as legal under copyright law. There are several misconceptions about this practice, and it’s essential to understand the nuances to avoid legal issues. Here are the key points regarding this matter:
- No Specific Duration Exception: Copyright law does not stipulate a specific duration for the use of a song without permission. The idea that using a few seconds of a song is automatically fair use or legal is a myth.
- Fair Use Doctrine: While fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission under certain conditions (like criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research), the length of the clip is just one of many factors considered. Courts also consider the purpose of the use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount used in relation to the whole work, and the effect of the use on the copyrighted work’s market value.
- De Minimis Use: In some cases, a very short or insignificant use of copyrighted material might be considered de minimis (too trivial to merit consideration). However, this is a grey area and not a reliable defence, as courts have been inconsistent in applying this principle.
- Transformative Use: If your use of the music clip is transformative, meaning it adds new expression, meaning, or message to the original, it might be more likely to be considered fair use. However, simply using a short clip for background music is unlikely to qualify as transformative.
- Licensing: To use music legally, the safest and most straightforward way is to obtain the necessary licenses. Many music licensing companies offer short-term licenses for specific uses, including brief clips.
- Creative Commons and Royalty-Free Music: Using music that is licensed under Creative Commons or is royalty-free can be a hassle-free alternative. Clear terms of use often accompany these types of music, enabling the use of short clips without any legal complications.
To ensure compliance with copyright laws when using short clips of music, consider the following:
- Seek Permission: Contact the copyright holder or their representative to get permission, even for short clips.
- Use Licensed Music: Opt for music that you can legally license for your specific use case.
- Consider Public Domain: Use music that is in the public domain, which is free from copyright restrictions.
- Use Music Libraries: Explore music libraries that offer tracks specifically for use in videos and other media, often with straightforward licensing options.
Using clips from professional movies like “Harry Potter” or “Lord of the Rings” is subject to the same copyright considerations as using music. Here are the key points to keep in mind:
- Copyright Protection: Copyright law protects professional movies, and using any part of them without permission is typically considered infringement.
- Fair Use Doctrine: Like with music, fair use might allow you to use short clips under certain conditions. The factors considered for fair use are as follows:
Purpose and Character of Use: Clips used for criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research may be considered fair use. Transformative uses that add new meaning or context are more likely to be considered fair use.
Nature of the Copyrighted Work: Using factual or more informational works may be more likely to be considered fair use than using highly creative works.
Amount and Substantiality: The smaller the portion of the work used, the more likely it is to be considered fair use. However, if the portion used is regarded as the “heart” of the work, even a small amount may not be considered fair use.
Effect on Market Value: If your use of the clips could impact the original work’s market value or potential sales, it is less likely to be considered fair use. - De Minimis Use: The concept of de minimis use (use so small that it does not warrant legal concern) is not a reliable defence in copyright cases involving film clips, especially from high-profile movies.
- Parody and Satire: Fair use is more likely to protect parodies, which comment on the original work, than satires, which use the original to comment on something else.
- Licensing: The safest route is to obtain a license or permission from the copyright holder. The studio or the entity that holds the movie’s rights often arranges this.
- Public Domain: If a movie or portions of it are in the public domain (which is rare for modern movies), you can use those clips freely. Most professional movies, however, are not in the public domain.
Creative Commons and Similar Licenses: Some works might be available under licenses that allow certain uses. This is not typical for major Hollywood films, but it’s worth checking for any special cases.
In summary, using clips from professional movies without permission generally violates copyright law unless it clearly falls under fair use or another exception. It’s advisable to seek permission or consult with a legal expert to ensure compliance.