Since I started my Personal Video Blog back in November, I've had tons of questions about my video editing hardware and video editing software - and about video editing in general.
I am no Pro, and had very little experience when I started, but I do get a lot of compliments on my editing...
Which I personally think is a hack job half the time. LOL.
I often joke that I'm a technophobe, but the truth is I don't have time OR patience to learn complicated software or hardware. If it's not quick & easy, I'm probably not doing it. 😛 Which is why I chose the video editing hardware I did.
So let's dig in and I'll show you exactly what I use, and (in my opinion) the best video editing software...
Video Editing Software
As you can see in the video above, I am using iMovie on a 13.3" Macbook Pro
.
It is the EASIEST video editing software I have ever used in my life! I tried other programs in the past, Camtasia etc, but nothing compares to the simplicity of iMovie. Even for a total newbie.
I'm still running PC's in my home office, but got the Macbook specifically for mobile video editing. That was the best decision I could have ever made!
Video Editing Hardware
The camera I am using is a Canon Vixia HD Video Camera w/Remote. I chose this make & model after HOURS of research. It has good battery life, and best of all - it works beautifully in AUTO mode. Which is great for people like me that don't have a clue what all those buttons & features are, and don't have time to read through the manual. 😀
It has a flat bottom, which is great for setting up anywhere, and it has a flip-out touch screen too. The flip-out screen was a must for me as I do a lot of self-video, and it's impossible to frame yourself correctly in a video if you can't see the screen!
This was the thing that drove me mad about the popular Flip Video cams. Handy as they were, it's hard to believe they were called that when they don't DO that...
It also comes with a remote, which is GREAT. Especially if I want to be further away from the camera with an external mic. You can use the remote to zoom in and out too, in addition to stop/start. Very nice!
I've been told the Canon Vixia is not AS simple with PC's, but I have never tried it. With the Macbook it just plugs in, imports, is ready to edit, and you can upload straight to YouTube from there!
Video Camera Accessories
Here's a quick list of my accessories, all of which I LOVE:
Everything is very mobile, and it all fits right in my camera bag - except the tripod, which has it's own carrying case w/shoulder strap. The extended life battery pack is a MUST in my opinion, by the way. It gives me well over two hours of shoot time, and it means I always have a spare charged battery in the bag. It comes with it's own wall charger as well, which works with both batteries.
The external mic has a super long cable, and is "plug & play". No special settings or buttons required! I simply plug it in, clip it on, and go.
I haven't gotten into green screens or anything advanced, simply because I'm not doing pro-level productions. I'm mainly doing fun personal videos for my blog at LynnTerry.TV such as this one, which happens to be about coming up with blog content & video topic ideas:
Here is the rest of my Home Office.
That's where all the magic happens. 😉
If you don't have a Mac, and don't plan to get one, you should definitely check out this extremely cheap ($37) step-by-step course by Oliver Olsen. He walks you through free PC software options & all the ins and outs of producing high quality marketing videos. See Video Marketing Problem: Solved! -Highly Recommended
See: Free Video Marketing Tutorial
I hope that answers some of your questions about my video editing software & hardware, how I do the cool transitions & scenes, etc. Of course, if you have feedback or questions... I'm all ears! Just leave a comment below.
Best,
About Lynn Terry
Great idea for a post and interesting to see your setup.
I think one of the things that makes your videos watchable (other than the content and your ease in front of the camera) is the nature of your 'hack job' editing! 😉 The jump cuts keep the interest and almost act as a way of resetting viewer attention to keep their focus. Good stuff.
Here's an interesting question with a bit of background:
I'm an actor as well as a marketer and I'm holding back from shooting lots of videos for my marketing site, as I feel people will judge or misjudge me when I start doing more acting work and inevitably, the marketing ones will turn up. What do you suggest I do to keep them separate? Should I even keep them separate?
Thanks for the content ideas.
Matt
Thank you Matt!
If I could go back in time, I would have used a pen name. Not that I intend to do anything offline, but I prefer my privacy offline (I'm an introvert by nature, lol). If it's not too late for you, I would blog/market under a pen name. OR act under a pseudonym. 😀
If neither of those are a viable option, you can simply label everything under your brand - instead of branding yourself. "ClickNewz" instead of "Lynn Terry" for example. This also makes a property easier to sell down the road should you ever choose to do so - or will to someone when you pass that could sell and/or keep the business going.
I have several blogs (because I have several interests and couldn't just pick one) and I use a separate pen name on each blog. I do nothing in my real name online.
I wonder sometimes if this makes me strange, but my privacy is important to me and I feel more freedom using pen names only. Comes to think of it.....some of the biggest novelists throughout the ages used pen names.
I just don't feel the urge to brand myself, although a lot of people like yourself do. There are people out there though that I want to keep out of my business. I'm not even on Facebook. I want no part in it and I know there are many people that feel the same way. Some people just don't want their real names and faces on the internet.
It doesn't seem to bother the people reading my blogs and I guess that is all that matters. Even if I'm not on Facebook, people still share my posts on their own Facebook and Twitter accounts....
Comes to
meant
Come to .....uggh
Thanks for your feedback and experience L.M. Interesting stuff and inspiring for my own work.
Matt
Interesting advice Lynn, thank you.
I'm at the stage of having a list of a few thousand and a YouTube channel of people who know me under my real name. That said, I think I can start to phase myself out of the business and use my blog name as branding.
I'll ultimately be selling most of my properties (in a few years) so this is probably better.
Thank you for taking the time to reply.
Matt
Canon Vixia seems to be a good line. TWIT.tv uses about 30 model HF G10s as studio cameras, but never for internal recording. Leo said the output quality is actually better than what you get from internal recording.
Hi Wade!
Can you explain "internal recording"? 🙂
Are you concerned about lighting? Was stressed at pricey CA event few months back with lighting and the whole gig. I have hard time propping up my Mac with the right set up still. Stacking yours on books or...? Have you tried using an IPOD touch or Iphone vs. Canon since I own the touch? I do own Canon Powershot that records but haven't used that. Ipod is always with me. Thanks Lynn!
Hi Carol,
You lost me. 😀 I don't record videos with my Macbook, I just edit them. I use the Canon Vixia camera to record. So I'm not sure what you're asking?
As for lighting, no I am not concerned at all - and I haven't invested in any lighting equipment. I prefer to shoot my videos during daylight hours when it permits as it gives me the absolute best light. I always face the source.
I do have a "grow light" which is a basic metal clamp with a "grow bulb" that I got from Lowe's which helps if I want to do videos in rooms with little light or after dark - but it tends to throw shadows if you're not careful. So I try to stick to sunlight - which is cheap and readily available. 🙂 Overcast days are even better!
I'm so sad! Just ordered this exact Mac yesterday afternoon for Saturday delivery. I never thought about you having your affiliate link in this post. Knowing you as well as I do, I SHOULD have known better! I would love for you to have gotten a commission from my purchase. 🙁
On another note, I use the Audio Technica lavalier mic and also the Audio Technica wireless system. Absolutely love them both!
I know yesterday there was a comment from one person saying he thought using the Canon Vixia with a PC was a breeze. I think the difference is based on the software each person is using. The video format for real HD is not used by many of the more common editing programs. They cater to the more common and affordable camera formats (heard that directly from Canon). I have a feeling that may be why it's easier for him - seems like he's using one of the top level software programs. Can it be done on a PC? Sure but it takes much too long - too many steps! When you know there's a simpler, more productive way to go - that's the road I want to take. So...the Mac it is for my video editing after Saturday.
Of course, if this PC gal feels too stupid when I turn on that Mac, I may be sending a distress signal in your direction! LOL
I'm just glad you got it ordered! I'm thrilled for you, I know you've been considering it for awhile. 😉 Bring it with you to NAMS and I'll help you out where I can. There are other more experienced Mac users there too, so you'll be able to get your questions answered. 😀
We should do a video together while we're there too. 😉
I agree with you on the Mac. It is so easy to use and I've used it and only it for videos. They come out fine - especially for someone just beginning in video contact. And yes, as Matt says, you do have ease in front of the camera. Did you develop that along the way? I think it is naturally a part of you.
Thank you Judy! I had a much harder time with it in the beginning, especially a few years ago when I was trying to do different types of videos. The personal video blog is totally different, and feels more relaxed - so I get to be my quirky self and not worry about it. 😀
I started the video blog for a number of reasons, but mainly because I wanted to share "the real me" - outside of marketing and business - so it is much easier to be natural and let my hair down so to speak.
p.s. I will say, too, that I was painfully shy up until my early 30's. I am an introvert by nature, but no longer shy - and have really enjoyed pushing my limits in the last few years (video, public speaking, etc).
Here's a video on that topic 😀
http://www.lynnterry.tv/222/introvert-and-shyness/
Lynn - going off topic a little, but I just spotted this on your post.
Do you use a Plugin for G+ button at the top and the same question for the FB Share button. If so, are you able to tell me what the Plugins are called?
Thank you very much for this.
Caroline
This is the plugin I use:
http://letusbuzz.com/tweet-share-like-plusone
😀
Lynn - Thank you very much for this.
It's because I haven't been able to find one that grouped these all together in the same place, that I asked.
Caroline 🙂
You're most welcome! 😀
I just switched to the larger icons. You saw the smaller ones before - you'll have both options when you install the plugin.
Good stuff! Those two things are on my future wish list LOL I would like to start doing video but when it comes to the techy stuff, well, I'm so not good at that. I'll have to practice if I want to get it done.
I'm not either. I have no patience for it lol. That's why I went the easy route. 😛 But even with the easy way I do it, practice is definitely helping!
One easy trick with flip cam. Use a music stand with a mirror behind the tripod. Works, and is cheap.
I really liked your videos. Straight to the point, full of tips, and your have a friendly tone, and a great voice!
Keep it up, Lynn!
Thank you Emrick! 😀
Lynn,
The best guide for video editing by far on my list this year. I'm looking for specific instructions on how to rotate the angle of my video. Do you know some suggestions?
I'm not familiar with that. You might talk to Oliver Olsen of Speedy Web Videos. I gave his link at the end of the post - he's my go to video guy.
Thanks Lynn, I really appreciate it 🙂
Hi Ysa,
Do you mean that you want to rotate the angle of the video image when editing? Give me some more details on what you are trying to do 🙂
The one take-away idea from your videos was to do a deliberate pause between "chunks" -- and just repeat anything you didn't get just right, with pauses to make them easier to edit. Post-processing the video on the Mac is much better than trying to record 5-8 minutes of something with no errors. I kinda wondered about all the transition effects you used, but now it's obvious what you were doing, and it makes brilliant sense.
It was one of those "DOH!" moments for me. Thanks, Terry!
I do find it much easier. There's no way I could do it right all the way through LOL. And the transitions help to keep the attention when viewing, breaks it up a bit.
For PC users, Camtasia is really easy, too. I did a quick video tutorial for friends just getting started with videos and Camtasia... http://youtu.be/QIg4sUfZGP8
It's nothing earth shattering, but it does cover the basics in just over 6 minutes.
Thanks! I had a hard time getting my PC to handle the HD video, when I went to an HD camera. It was a bit rate issue or something. Very frustrating.
Went to check out that camera. $700? Ouch!
I'll just stick with that cheap Flip I already have & a mirror. I was going to try to record a video about how I set up a violin, but I seem to have succeeded in biting off more than I can comfortably chew. Maybe Sunday...
Hi Lynn,
I, too use a Mac with a Canon Vixia camera but Canon said it was not supported on Mac OSX. I've been having to transfer the files to a different format (other than the AVCHD the camera shoots) to use them on the Mac. How are you getting it to work without file conversions?
I noticed you referred to using the USB cable. Is the computer copying the files or is it recording in real time? I need to learn that trick! Are you using the Lion Operating System? Maybe that's the difference...
You went over my head, Michael - LOL. I have no idea. I have a basic Macbook Pro 13.3". I record the videos on the camera, plug in the USB cable, and they transfer straight into iMovie. Are you using iMovie?
Adobe has a good and widely-accessible software. An alternative would be Vegas, which is more user-friendly. These two are popular with amateur filmmakers and film students.
Thanks for sharing Lynn,
Great article. I also use iMovie, Vixia HF-10 HD video camera and have the AT mic with extra batteries.
The video from the Canon is impeccable. Course when I bought mine it was the first model and it cost $1,300 but I have loved it and it's available for a lot less currently.
iMovie is just great. I use it for 3 years now, and I am still pleased about the simplyness and usability. Of course sometimes it reaches its limits but for most videos its just enough. I like working with it.
The Canon Vixia HD Video Camera is one hell of a camera... quite expensive though.
P.S. Sony Vegas is also an easy-to-use video editing software. Not cheap though either 🙂
Thanks Lynn, Your content and advice's, just Awesome. Im new editing
Video, but you are a great Mentor. Regards.
Lynn, I totally just bought the Audio-Technica ATR-3350 Lavalier Omnidirectional Condenser Microphone from you Amazon link. Thank you for the review and thank you for the tips. Best wishes to you and yours! Cheers!