Creating And Editing Your Video: 1

Ok In this video I’m going to show you how to create and edit a video. For those of you who already know how to do this, stick with me because not only will I show you how to compose a compelling video specifically designed to attract towing customers but I’ll also show you how to design one that Google likes.

Step 1: Choosing a camera:

The first step to creating a video is to choose what camera you’re going to use. You could use the webcam on your computer and most phones have video recorders. And I’m sure most of you know how to use them so I won’t go into detail about which camera to choose or how to use it. Just know that you don’t have to spend a lot of money. I have a GoPro Hero 2 and a Sony Handycam, it’s the HDR-CX260. The Sony has a display that flips so you can view what you’re shooting from either end of the camera. Quality is important so if you can afford to buy a handheld camera, do it.

Step 2: Shooting your first video:

After you’ve decided what camera to use you’ll want to get footage of your trucks and your drivers—doing what you do. Changing tires, loading a vehicle, working an accident.
Get a shot of your dispatcher answering the phone (not looking into the camera) and a shot of your logo.
And get some sort of interaction with a customer, you can fake it if you need to. Be sure your trucks are clean, your drivers are wearing clean uniforms and are reasonably groomed.
Don’t worry about the quality of the footage on this first video. And don’t fret over every detail, you’re not creating your masterpiece here, you’re learning the process right now. Besides you’ll be editing later.
Just try not to make it too jerky. A minute or two of footage on each item is enough. And don’t worry about the audio right now, you can put that in later.

Step 3: Creating a folder to keep everything in:

Once you’ve shot some video, you need to create a folder on your computer to put it in. It’s important to keep everything organized so you can find it later. You can create a new folder in a few different ways. In Windows 7 open up your libraries folder and find Documents. Right click on Documents and go to New, and then Folder. This will create a new folder in your Documents folder. Another way of creating a new folder is by right-clicking anywhere on your desktop display and choosing New Folder. While the words “New Folder” are highlighted in blue you’ll want to rename the folder so you can find it later. Now whenever you create something that you want to use in your video drag it or save it to this folder.

Step 4: Transferring your video to your computer:

Once you’ve shot your video and created a folder to put the clips into you need to get the clips to your laptop or other device where you can edit it. If you use your Iphone to shoot the video you can email the clips to your laptop, but do it one video clip at a time because they’re a bit larger than photos.
With my camera I just plug my USB adapter into a USB port on my laptop, and wait for the laptop to recognize that it’s there OR I go to the folder shortcut on my toolbar and find the device. The computer treats it like another hard drive and I can easily search for the video clips that I need. When I find it, I can either click on what I need and drag it into the correct folder or right click and choose save as to save it where I want.
If your camera doesn’t have a built-in adapter it probably came with some other adapter that you can use to transfer the clips. An alternative method is to use the camera’s built in memory card. You just take it out of the camera and stick it into the memory card slot on your computer. You then navigate to it and drag and drop the clips into your folder.

Step 5: Choose your video editing software.

The next step is to find some video editing software. I use Adobe Premiere and pay a monthly fee to have access.
Premiere can handle video from any type of camera—what you take with your IPhone, an HD camera, or even your webcam.
But if you don’t want to be tied to a monthly agreement, you can just buy something less expensive like Cyberlink. I started out with Cyberlink and the last I checked you could get it for $70.00 and no monthly fees. There are others out there like Vegas Pro, Windows Live Movie Maker and Final Cut Pro.
Just know that with whatever video editing software you choose you’ll need to learn how to use it. In the beginning it can seem a bit daunting but after you’ve done it a few times you’ll get the hang of it.
Step 6: The basics of editing

Now that you’ve decided which editor to use you can begin the process of editing your video. With your editor open you need to import or (bring in) the video clips that were saved in the new folder. This is why it’s important to be organized…so you know where you put your clips. There are many different ways to do this.
You can click in the import box or go to file and look for import. Whatever way you do it just know that importing means that you’re bringing video and other media into the editor so that you can easily manipulate it.

Also understand that when you import media and make changes to it in the editing process, you’re not changing the original, you’re just changing a copy for the purposes of making something better. The original will always be there unless you “open” it, make changes then “save” the original after those changes are made. Just import your media and the originals will be fine.