Category: Video Production

The Lies of Wistia

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Recently there has been a dramatic increase in video platform companies pushing the idea that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on video. In a recent campaign, Wistia, a video platform company,  asserts that it partnered with Sandwich Video to create three versions of the same video with different budgets: 1k, 10k, and 100k.  Wistia’s goal: to persuade its current and prospective clients (you) that you don’t need to spend a lot of money on video.  The messaging alone already bothered me, but I decided to do a little digging because those price points and the corresponding videos just did not match…

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NAB 2019: 8K and LED Screens

Date: April 23, 2019 Category: Video Production Tags: , , Comments: 0

This year was my first year attending NAB on behalf of Outlier. After coming down from euphoria akin to that of a kid in a toy shop, I got down to the business of soaking up information. Here are some of the takeaways from the sessions and talks I attended (which in no way represents the whole of NAB … it’s a huge conference.) 8k: Yes, It’s Coming It’s already here, really. What I gleaned from this particular session was that 4k delivery systems are coming and that soon we are going to see a demand for shooting in 8k for a 4k end deliverable.…

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Outlier Jumpcut: Gladys Bikes

Date: March 16, 2018 Category: Video Production Tags: Comments: 0

Biking is a pretty big thing here in Portland, so is female empowerment. Mix the two together and you get Gladys Bikes! Please enjoy our latest Outlier Jumpcut.  Visit the shop: http://gladysbikes.com/ https://youtu.be/Lv8o-iUI3p0

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How To Create Interesting Photo Animations: Technique #3

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The Double Exposure Effect Double exposure has been a popular effect in photography for a long time. So why not take it to video? For this effect, you’ll need: A high res portrait photoStock video of scenery or an object that isn’t too busySome skill with photoshop https://vimeo.com/260498815 Isolate your subject. Take your portrait photo and bring it into photoshop. You’ll want to separate your subject from your background. If you’ve read the other tutorials in this series, then you know my favorite method for isolating objects. But just in case, here are the steps: 1. Use the quick selection tool to select your object…

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How To Create Interesting Photo Animations: Technique #2

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This technique features the puppet tool in After Effects. You won’t be able to do crazy or exaggerated movement with the puppet tool, as it distorts the image quickly. But it works great if you want to add just a hint of the slowest-of-the-slow movement. https://vimeo.com/260480970 For this technique you’ll need: 1. A high-res photo with a subject in action and fairly plain background - an out of focus background is the easiest! 2. Some ability with separating photos in photoshop 3. Patience (listening to some good tunes helps) Separating your photo into different layers. If you’ve read “Parallax Tutorial” (link), then you’ve already read this…

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How To Create Interesting Photo Animations: Technique #1

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Manipulating photos and turning them into something new is not only fun, it opens up a whole new arsenal of interesting visuals for you to use. A good photo can communicate a lot - adding energy and life to that photo with movement can communicate even more. The three ways I like to add life to a still photo are: creating a parallax effect, creating false slow-motion using the puppet tool, and using double exposure with portraits. It’s handy to have these techniques in your toolbox - I find it easier to be creative when I actually know what I can do. I used pexels.com…

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Animating Photos to Capture your Audience

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Capturing and holding your audience’s attention is both crucial and getting more difficult. Visuals make a great hook. They can help you engage your audience, communicate a message, and enforce your brand. Video is especially engaging. As more people and brands use video content to engage their audiences, those who don’t risk falling behind the curve. But there are barriers to video production. It’s costly, time-consuming, and resource heavy. Companies may not have the marketing budget to create a video that fits their vision. If you're a video production house, you may find you need to fit a small budget while still trying to make…

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The DaVinci Resolve 14 Experience

Date: July 8, 2017 Category: Video Production Tags: , Comments: 0

There has been a lot of hype recently with Davinci’s new release of Resolve 14. After seeing it mentioned in blogs and magazine articles and having it come up in a conversation with an acquaintance, I thought it was time to give it a try. I was creating an updated reel for 2017 for Outlier, so I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to try out a new software. As a general disclaimer, I’ve been using Adobe Premiere for over four years and have been with the software through many of its recent changes. DaVinci Resolve 14 is also still in its beta phase,…

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The Hammond B3 Organ Sound is Hard to Describe

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The Hammond B3 organ sound is hard to describe, but it feels something like being surrounded by the music. When you hear it in a club or intimate setting it becomes a centerpiece, like listening to many voices live. It creates so much texture and support for musicians and the crowd that I often say it's my favorite sound. We reached out to Louis Pain and asked if he would give us a tour of the B3 and he graciously hosted us at his “Man Cave”, where we filmed for hours and talked all things B3, from its inventors and innovators to just straight up…

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Hell Yes I’m Ready to Write a Video Script!

Category: Video Production Tags: Comments: 0

Great news, video newbies! You’re almost ready to start writing that script for your new video project.  And we’ve saved up some of our very best advice for those just getting started with video to prove script writing doesn’t have to be an exercise in self-immolation. We all know video is an increasingly crucial component of today’s marketing campaigns, but not everyone realizes just how essential a well-planned script is for a successful video project. And I’ll be completely honest and tell you it’s often one of the most overwrought as well. While there’s no doubt the dreaded blank page is a fearful sight for…

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