6 Steps to Creating an Internet Video

Making a book trailer or any video for You Tube, your website, etc doesn't have to be a daunting task. If we break down the steps needed to complete a video, it makes the job much easier. I'll use the making of my book trailer "Married While Intoxicated" as an example while going through these steps to help illustrate each point.

NOTE: If you have Windows Vista or Windows 7 your system probably came with Windows Movie Maker, so you already have the software you need to make videos on your computer.

1. Know what the video is about.

In my example, I basically wanted to deliver information about my Short Romantic Comedy "Married While Intoxicated" in a video format.

2. Write your script. Use words efficiently to keep your video as short as our attention spans are.

Here's my script for MWI: "Ever do something ill advised while under the influence?
Melinda and Matthew did. 1 snowstorm, 2 stranded people who have 2 much 2 drink get 'Married While Intoxicated.' Funny...Fun...Familiar? Get Married While Intoxicated. You'll be glad you did."

3. Choose the photos you want to use in a way which helps to create the mood you want to convey or in a way which helps to illustrate your script. Use photos and videos you own or have the rights to use.

4. Apply special effects and transitions which appeal to your viewer. Remember, this is a moving picture so things should move. Effects and transitions help to give motion to still shots.

5. When you've completed your video story, add music which plays well with your graphics and which conveys the mood of your story or video. Again, only use music for which you have the rights.

6. Upload your video to the Internet when you've completed it.

Take a look at "Married While Intoxicated" and see the end result to following these 6 simple steps.



Did you notice the humor and light tone in the video? Since "Married While Intoxicated" is a romantic comedy I wanted the video to be light and fun.

Notice I used lots of pleasant snow/frost photos to keep the "stranded in a snowstorm" aspect part of the story but in a pleasant, light way.

Near the end of the video I included information important to readers who may want to purchase the story--its cost, the format in which it's available and where interested readers may buy it.

Finally, the music, effects and transitions pleasantly blend with the humorous, light photos and text of the video.

And there we have it--one video trailer which informs and entertains.

Follow these six steps to make your next video composition a little easier.

Best,

Fran

Fran Shaff, Award-Winning Author
http://sites.google.com/site/fshaff