Video Rewind :: How To Start Making Art Videos Right Now!

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Today starts a brand new blog series called Video Rewind.

In Video Rewind I’ll be sharing weekly a past video I’ve created over the years and a peek into my thoughts and process behind making them.

I’m excited to begin this series with one of my first art journal videos I created five years ago called Dreaming of Modigliani.

Since then I’ve learned a lot about making and editing videos, and most of all, I’ve learned by simply playing around and assigning myself fun projects to do.

What’s really special about my Dreaming of Modigliani  video is that I created it solely using the webcam that is attached to my laptop.  Yep, that’s right.  Nothing fancy.

This I feel, is a total testimony to the power behind getting off your butt and starting exactly where you are and with what tools you have at hand!!

So, are you itching to make art videos?

Do you feel the urge to share your process with others or maybe you’re dreaming of teaching online, but don’t know where to start when it comes to making videos?

Here are eight little nuggets of inspiration to help you get started!

  1. Use whatever video camera you have–it could be your webcam, a smartphone, or a digital camera that comes with a video option.  If it shoots video–then you’re ready to go!  You don’t need all the bells and whistles.
  •  Having a tri-pod is super duper handy, but not crucial.  When I was starting out (and still even sometimes now) I would balance my camera on some yoga blocks or cookbooks to find the right height to shoot at.  And if I was shooting outside and things got a little windy–packing tape is a huge help to secure things down!
  •  Check if your computer has editing software.  Most do, I believe.  But if you don’t, you can go HERE to find free editing software to download.  And, if you are having trouble figuring out how to use it,  YouTube is an excellent resource to learn just about anything–especially video editing.  So search for the software you have on YouTube and teach yourself.  You’ll be surprised how easy it can be!
  • Keep things short, simple, and sweet.  Decide on one subject matter or idea you want to express, explore, or share and keep your focus on that.  Don’t over think it or over do it. Meaning–don’t worry too much about fancy camera angles or creating an epic saga.  Leave that stuff for later!  Simplify.  Simplify.  Simplify.
  • Play! Play! Play!! The best videos I’ve made have been when I’m totally having a blast making them and love what I’m shooting.  So leave the serious filmmaker stuff at the door and play around!  Be goofy!  Have fun!!!  The world needs more joy!
  •  Music makes everything better!  Personally, I think a video can be gawd awful but executed with the right music it can change everything.  Most editing software has music you can choose from to add to your video.  YouTube has a free audio library.  And one of my favorite royalty free databases for music is by the ever-so-popular Kevin MacLeod.
  1. Don’t let your nerves hold you back.  If you feel nervous or uncomfortable about being in front of the camera than here are a few things you can do:  a.)  Leave yourself out and simply focus on the art!  b.) Wear a disguise–you know, like a wig or sunglasses or elaborate make-up!  Pretend to be someone else–it’s called acting.  c.)  Create a voice over.  This way you can write everything out you want to say and spend some time practicing.  I use the voice over effect in Dreaming of Modigliani.
  2. Remember it’s a process.  Just recently I took a count of how many videos I have made total in my online career–that’s both public ones and the private ones I use in my workshops and there is close to 400.  (I started to lose count after 350).  The thing is that I still don’t have this video thing down.  Not in a long shot! (Pun intended!)  Video, like anything, takes practice, learning, and a lot of crap. Yes–you’re gonna make crappy videos and tons of mistakes.  It’s all part of the process!

Wishing you loads of fun as you whip out that first art video of yours!! When I started making mine I had no idea that it would soon turn into my actual livelihood! Who knows what’s in store for you as well!

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