I finally decided I need to get into the video era--I want to showcase my listings in style. Also, I am sponsoring several communities in ActiveRain and can see all the potential to be the Local Realtor who can show off the great events, stores and people in Oakland and Wayne Counties that I service. So, here is a step by step outline of what I have learned, how I got through the walls that came up and where I am currently stopped.
1. I need a new camera. Some time ago, I had read a post by Jeff Turner on which affordable camera he would recommend to realtors. I wanted a wide angle lens and better quality than what I have. I also wanted it to take a good quality video as well. I posted about which camera to buy and if I should use it for both still pics and video. I received some good comments and suggestions.
2. I purchased the Panasonic Lumix FX35 camera, a friend gave me a tripod and I took along my office partner for moral support to an Art and Apples Festival in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Since I had never shot a video, the first hurdle was getting to know a camera in about 2 days which had so many more options than I was used to. Next, I worried about looking foolish - like I didn't know what I was doing - which I didn't. Once I set up the tripod and camera and shot my first clip, I got that I can really do this! Hooray!
3. Then I needed to edit it. As I was searching for tips/techniques on ActiveRain, I left a comment for Brad Andersohn wanting to know if I should subscribe to Mixpro--would it be easy to use and worth my money being someone who was just starting out and may not use it enough yet. He was very generous and invited me to call him and discuss my concerns. While Mixpro is something I want down the road with all that it offers (particularly analytics), I decided it would be better for me to practice on my Windows Movie Maker.
4. Needless to say, I did not know anything about movie extensions etc. So, my video was in .MOV and Windows Movie Maker did not recognize it. By now my community event is becoming outdated and "old news" and I am getting very discouraged. I shot Brad an e-mail and he extended another iinvitation to call him. He told me about a post that talked about a free video convertor. Enthused again, I find the post and download the convertor. I got through that wall and started to convert my first video.
5. Another wall: I had some sort of "codecs" problem--the message that kept coming up. I started searching for an answer - both in AR and Google. The problem was I didn't know how to use the covertor and had converted it to a DVD format and not .AVI. Brad to the rescue again -- I realized there was a box in the top right corner where we select what format to convert to. I deleted my previous conversions and started fresh and converted .AVI.
6. Now I am ready to import my converted video into Windows Movie Maker to edit. Whew!! Well, I couldn't find where they were stored once converted. Like I said - I am a beginner although I am pretty computer literate. Finally I realized they are stored in the "Any Video Convertor". I had a hard time editing the converted video to shorten the various clips I took. I'm still not really sure how to do this in Movie Maker but figured out how to do it in the convertor before I actually converted them. The actual editing, transitions and titles was pretty easy after all that.
7. Now audio is a whole different matter - NEXT WALL! I wasn't paying attention to audio when recording so I have my conversation with my "video team" as I recorded the festival. Clearly this isn't the finished product I want with my comments about zooming and "here I go taking my next shot" etc. I have spent the last day and half trying to at least mute the sound and import a song. I went to the help menu and saw a mute option but can't figure out how to use it. Also I am pretty clueless on how to download the music - do I need another convertor - I know it has to be free (or with permission) etc. I was able to attach a free song I found on my computer and it played with the video but I couldn't get my own voice out.
On some of the comments in my previous blog, there seemed to be people beginning like I am. I am thinking this will be helpful to "newbies" like I am - and I need help to get through the sound barrier. Part 2 to follow when I get to the other side.
Royal Oak Realtor selling Real Estate in Southeastern Michigan. TishHouse sells Houses - selling Oakland County Real Estate with RE/MAX Showcase Homes in Birmingham, Michigan. Helping People in a challenging market by specializing in Short Sales. See what my clients have to say about my extraordinary customer service
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