filming and editing advice!

[Name_not_found]

Interesting topic. I'd love to be able to use Power Director 14 that I purchased but honestly....that thing makes me want to throw my computer across the freakin room. Either that or I just don't have the patience for it. I've watched the tutorials and almost ended a relationship over it LOL

Here's what I use and I tend to make a decent vid from time to time.

Cannon Vixia RF400
iPhone 5S
El cheapo tripod (check your local goodwill, salvation army you can get one for 5 bucks)
Windows Movie Maker

Doesn't get any more budget than that. I am jealous of my mate Kiwi Dude as he has a remote for his camcorder. I think that will be my only requirement for any future purchase.

Thanks!

(i have heard apple headphone buttons will work your shutter)

[MREHungary]

Hardware:
- A tripod is a must as already said! I am using it when I make my videos - yes, I am still making them and should post some in the future - and we are taking it when we are going for a hike with my girlfriend. When you need to have a steady hand that is the best option.
- A camera with the possibility to connect an external microphone ... would be a very good thing to have, but it is not cheap. Noise filtering is the keyword here as there can be unforeseen sources of sound (a car, dogs are barking). But you can always re-shoot the scene if you want to.
- Lighting. I purchased some halogen reflectors from a hardware store, but I am not satisfied with them. They are burning out my eyes, but the videos are still a little dark. I am thinking about a self made alternative...
- Storage space for you videos. They can be large, very large when you make 1080p videos, so have some free space on your PC.

Software:
- I am using TrakaxPC. It is a very straightforward tool to edit your videos and it is easy to learn. The only feature I am missing is the option to convert videos in batches (I have a very old PC and it takes ages to convert even the shortest videos). It has a 14 or 30 days trial version to try out if this is your cup of tea and I bought it afterwards.
- Gimp or MSPaint. MSPaint for the easier tasks (shrink and/or resize pictures), Gimp when you need to make some "crazy" stuff, transparent pictures for an example. I have difficulties to learn Gimp, so I use MSPaint more.

Misc:
- Patience... Your first video will not be the greatest. My s*cked too. But it will be better.
- Willing to learn from your mistakes and from others. I learned a lot from these fine gentlemen here on the forums, if you like what they do make something similar but in your own way.
- Endurance. You are doing these videos for yourself it is just an additional yield that others are watching your work on the Internet. Do not make them for the viewer count.

I have spoken therefor I can rest now.

[Bizon]

Interesting topic. I'd love to be able to use Power Director 14 that I purchased but honestly....that thing makes me want to throw my computer across the freakin room. Either that or I just don't have the patience for it. I've watched the tutorials and almost ended a relationship over it LOL

Here's what I use and I tend to make a decent vid from time to time.

Cannon Vixia RF400
iPhone 5S
El cheapo tripod (check your local goodwill, salvation army you can get one for 5 bucks)
Windows Movie Maker

Doesn't get any more budget than that. I am jealous of my mate Kiwi Dude as he has a remote for his camcorder. I think that will be my only requirement for any future purchase.

I have Canon 80D.
It has freakin wifi.I can control it trough my mobile.Awsome stuff.

[FREMONT]

By no means am I an expert, but the advice I would give is this:

1.) film raw footage in HD, 720p or 1080p at 60fps would be most preferable.

2.) have a decent thumbnail and title that is inviting to the viewer.

3.)film with enough light in the room, natural lighting works best, natrually but having a light or two for filming may help alot.

4.)decent audio with minimal intrusiveness from things like pets, other people, outside noise like cars and sirens etc.

5.)smooth film editing, (I don't know anything about this, y'all are on your own)

6.)Cats, exception to advice number 4

7.) video length, many people won't bother watching a 40 minute video on an MRE, keeping things less than thirty minutes may be more tolerable to some viewers

8.)knowing what to do/say, if you are uncomfortable or just saying "uhhh" repeatedly won't do very well with viewers. Research video topics before hands and putting your newly learned editing skills to good use will help the video going smoothly

9.) having fun, nobody want's to see a video of a guy not enjoying himself eating/explaining a ration!