Some Cool Promos AND Windows Movie Maker Tips

Good morning everyone, just popping in to post a couple new promo videos I made yesterday, experimenting with a new video editing program I have. Here's what I got.

I especially enjoy the text parts, you can't get that kind of type on the old stand-by program (that most Windows computers are equipped with) Windows Movie Maker. WMM is extremely basic and good for beginning filmmakers, and even though its simplicity can be stunting if you're more advanced and that's the only program you have to use, it can be manipulated in some essences beyond what the typical use is. You can make it work. Pretty much.

There are some certain little tricks that can be done, which can truly make the difference between professional and unprofessional appearances. It's true, you can't really make a super professional-looking video with WMM, honestly, it wasn't really created with that purpose, but once again, if that's all you have possesion of, that's what you have to use.

I used PowerDirector Express with these new promos, and then for the sound fades at the ending, I moved the whole thing to WMM because, apparently, PDE is not capable of such a thing as audio fades. Annoying. Wouldn't you think it's a no-brainer to include the option? PDE does have some neat transitions, though as usual many are quite unprofessional and overdone, except for use perhaps in a bloopers video. Anyway, though, as I said before, use what is helpful and leave the rest.

So what are some useful tips to keep in mind while using a simple program like WMM? Well, here are a few things to start with.

1. TRANSITIONS: You don't need to use an official transition (e.g. fade, wipe, dissolve, etc.) to make a film look good. If the cuts between each scene are smooth, you can leave it 'as is.'


2. TRANSITION: If you DO decide to use one, and at times they can be quite helpful, stay away from the very obvious ones like "wipe" or "page curl" etc., etc., which look very amateurish.


3. TRANSITIONS: DO consider using a simple, unpretentious transition such as a fade. You can fade out to black in between sequences, fade in from black to the next scene, etc. It will appear much more proficient than a "Bow tie" or "Fan-in".


4. AUDIO: If you have voice tracks in your film, WMM is decent for adjusting sound volume. Make sure the music score (if you have one) doesn't overpower the vocals.

I will post some more tips in the future, these are just to get you started. Enjoy the promos!

Blessings!

In Christ Alone,

Leah Kathryn