“The day the earth stood still” 1951 & 2008- Full screen- video editing

Our research into flash video manipulation, on the face of it may appear to be purely for entertainment purposes, however, when you consider a criteria was set from initial tests and the resulting proof has been achieved without the need for expensive softwares such as ‘photoshop’ or ‘after effects’, this may be actually a remarkable discovery.

A brief description of how this can be achieved is as follows.    Flash is recorded in layers, one layer overlays another, just as icons on your monitor desktop, when you open an application it appears on a layer above the icon.

In flash applications, one can call up a base layer, such as a video skin,  then float another layer, (the actual video footage), on top of the base layer.    Further layers of flash animations may be added for effect.

The latest development of our study has enabled us to stretch the video footage rather like shaping putty, and record as a separate file, then  load it  into the flash layers.

Initial trials, (as shown in the video below),  are not 100% as yet but improvement is expected as we hope to provide an alternative method of video presentation.

The task I was presented with was to to upload a raw wide screen video to our online flash workshop.   The video was selected from YouTube (see picture), then to create an entirely new presentation by adding a background skin with textural overlay titles.

The day the earth stood still 2008

The chosen video is a compilation of trailers on “The day the earth stood still” ~ 195, the original movie was set in full screen cinemascope ~ the 2008 version and is quite clearly in wide screen format as most new movie trailers are presented.    By careful expanding of the new trailer’s flash file, I was able to move the layer over the background skin and record the sequence using simple screen capture software, therefore creating a continuous viewing flow.

To my knowledge, after a wide internet search, there have been many experimental studies in flash manipulation but by utilizing intricate softwares.    This I believe is the first attempt to stretch video footage using simple online tools that anyone can master.

Further tests shall be carried out before revealing the sources of this simple method.

How to edit a video-part4-(timelines).

Video editing – Camtasia timeline.

All good video editing suites incorporate time lines within  the software.    There are many suites to chose from, I personally use Camtasia  4.5, but  even free suites  are  available and easy to use.

Please bear with me if you are already proficient with video editing.    This article is intended, not just for complete beginners,  but also to improve  your own skills.

Time lines are an excellent tool for cutting out the um’s and ah’s in visual presentations, that is a subject on its own.    What I would like to discuss here is using time lines in stock footage.

Providing you own or have the permission to use photos, a montage can be created by importing and placing them onto the story board in preferred order and transitioned to effect – more on this another time.

Moving footage – let us say – a series of movie trailers, can be imported and placed on the time line for editing.    Unwanted scenes can be cut out, and more desirable scenes, spliced into the  video construction, simply by  moving the  pointer  across the  time slot  and hitting the scissors.    Practice, practice, practice, is the key to mastering every art, and just like painting on a canvas, if you are unhappy with the cut, you can simply remove the section from the time line and re-import the footage.

As I am currently writing a book on the art, I cannot explain much further here, however, the video I have chosen to accompany this article, shows how a montage and moving footage can be spliced together.

Sometimes the words of a beautiful song can inspire you to create a nice video.    Nathan Walters, is a wonderful singer and the words in ‘Quiet of the night’, moved me to create scenes depicting the sacrifice, our lord, Jesus Christ, made for us.     The video begins with a photo montage, borrowed from a pre-made video.    On watching, the viewer, is satisfied that this is a montage, but at the point after the message -       I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  John 10:11, the video transitions into moving footage of the movie – The passion of Christ.    immediately,  the  song  and the visuals , transpire the video into  a notable presentation  that will always be remembered.

How to edit a video-part3-(vulgarity).

Violent, Painful & Controversial – please note – the above video should not be viewed by minors or anyone with  nervous disposition’s.

Continuing in the vein of most popular videos, we have noticed that on many video forum sites, such as vewgle, the most viewed category has been in the Violent, Painful & Controversial section.    Being music and movie buffs, we find it hard to understand – why?

Maybe there are enough music and movie vids on Youtube to satisfy most needs, then people turn to the forums to view the controversial vids, as an escape.

We created the above video as a test.    Disgusting  vomiting  scenes from Monty Python’s  -   Mr Creosote – the brain slicing scene from Silence of the lambs and Travis throwing food around a dinner table in their song – ‘Sing’, were spliced together and dished up for controversy.    It has been suggested that the video could be used as a dietary aid, as after viewing, no normal person would consider eating a meal.

If you wish to view this video, please consider it as an example of what is a popular viewing vehicle.    We do not condone this type of video ourselves – view it with a sense of humor, in the understanding of popular genre.

How to edit a video-Part 2- (viewing types).

Before we get into the nitty gritty of how to edit any video, we should look into viewing popularity. Unfortunately (being a proud father), I have to admit, that ‘SEX’ on the internet is highly viral – excuse the pun.

As we covered in ‘The definitive video jockeys guide’ available freely on the digitalblue2u profile on Youtube. Whilst not delving into pornography – sexy videos, allied to a little humor is very popular, even with the ladies, because it is harmless fun.

Major brewing manufacturers have realized this factor, which has resulted in the advertisements, collated in the video we compiled in December 2007. Complete adsence primed websites, dedicated to funny commercials are flourishing today.

This fact alone – just by adding one or two fun vids onto a website, can keep your visitor amused enough to remain and continue viewing your pages.

How to edit a video-Part1(Soundtracks).

watch?v=CciX45ny_zI

As Street Kings (the movie), has hit TV & satellite advertising, the boys in the smoke filled room, dug up a twisted teaser that I made a while back. Questions were asked on what music did I use for the soundtrack. This is an embarrassment to me as – quite simply, I cannot recall the tunes. I was off my head at the time of creating – cut the track from an open source DJ mix, loved it and used it on the Street Kings trailer and also on an interpretation of – The real American gangster.

First up, my apologies must go to Fox Searchlight for messing about with their original soundtrack on the photo section of the video. However, being a video jockey, the need to create something different from the original, is paramount to a VJ production.

Once you have mastered the basics of video editing, what separates you from the amateurs is the ability to VISUALIZE. Take any sequence of any movie or TV show – walk away from it, then in your subconscious mind, imagine what soundtrack would compliment the visuals. This is the process of visualization, and when you master that, you shall achieve.

Web 2.0 technology – Mefeedia?

The hastily made video above from Breakthroughmarketinggroup, highlights  internet marketing analysis methods.    In other words, how, by utilizing video presentation, within a campaign, can spiral search engine results.

Our own research has evolved from the actual presentation and delivery of  videos, and we shall continue to strive for further improvement.

Congratulations of the day, must go to Mefeedia though.     Through further funding, they have now made it possible to search 15.000 hosting sites for any particular footage you desire to find.     This is a sure fire indication that web 2.0 technology development  is expanding by leaps and bounds.