Basics

Dark Melee Brother · Post by **Dark Melee Brother** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 12:14 am

This is supposed to help me and all the n00bs out there! I was wondering what some basic effects that should be in my first vid (yyh) and other basic things we should learn. This is made because I see some places saying "much too advanced" so here is your chance to help us out ^_^

trythil · Post by **trythil** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 1:38 am

Don't use effects if you can help it. The first basic thing to learn is how to cut -- it's far more important to get the art of cutting down before you try anything else.

Most of the "basic" effects that you'll be using, anyway, are so overused -- they'll just make your video suck. I'm talking about white flashes, "zoom" transitions, any transition beyond a cross-dissolve, extended overlays, rectangular split-screens, lens flares...and so forth. The situations in which they actually look cool and are easy to apply are few and far between, and making them look cool in a situation where they AREN'T easy to work with requires some serious tweaking.

Yes, I realize how funny all that sounds coming from me, but whatever. Steer clear from effects as long as you can.

This, of course, is just MHO. I'm sure somebody has a good counterpoint.

Tash · Post by **Tash** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 7:01 am

well if you really wanna take it slow just for your first video...start with just cutting clips and matching video to audio. If you can learn to match video to audio well, then many of your vids will be great without all these effects. If you use them just don't over do it. See its mainly knowing what works and what doesnt and if you take it slow you can understand all that.
Main thing to me is matching scenes to audio, if you are very skilled in that...you will be able to accomplish anything.

Ashyukun · Post by **Ashyukun** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 7:52 am

I'd tend to agree with trythil and Tash- your very first attempt at making a video would most likely best be spent just getting the feel for working with putting footage to a song. The first video I ever worked on ( Big Gun ) didn't even use transitions or rubber bands, just straight cuts, simply because I didn't know how to do much beyond that- and it worked out just fine. However, I do think that you should feel free to experiment all you want... if you want to play with the different transitions and effects that are available, go right ahead- but bear in mind that they may not look the greatest without the practice at using them and knowing when they work effectively. You're probably best just learning how to match the video you want up where you want it with the audio, and using either basic transitions like Cross Dissolve or rubber-band transitions. Once you have the fundamentals down, it'll be easier to start playing more with effects.

dwchang · Post by **dwchang** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 12:10 pm

I agree with what everyone said. At the same time, I think the basics are A LOT more important than effects anyway. I think having good scene selection, flowing with the music, having a solid concept (and following through on it..with your scene selection) and so on is the foundation to ANY good video and effects are used to ENHANCE the basics.

I strongly suggest learning the basics first AND THEN learning effects to enhance the mood or feel.

I hate to use myself as an example, but I suggest looking at my "Glory of Love" video (link below). It has *MAYBE* 2 effects (one of which is black and white filter) while the rest is cross dissolves and straight cuts. Sadly, it's probably my best video and has very little in terms of "technical." At the same time, people like it since it is clear in it's concept.

So yeah...what I'm getting at is that it's not necessary to know effects and you should learn them AFTER you learn the foundation/basics.

I hope that helps!

dwchang · Post by **dwchang** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 12:12 pm

Oh and yes, this video was made AFTER I learned some effects. I tend to use them when well...when they are "damanded" in the song...I may know them, but it doesn't mean I gotta use them right? Just use what the song "sounds" like...I see too many editors relying on effects instead of a concept and solid scene selection to the concept and want to help you to not do so.

post-it · Post by **post-it** » Fri Jul 11, 2003 12:49 pm

effects & affects

unless your creating another Anime from Scratch and you want the Pool Water to become a WhirlPool to draw everyones attention, why bother!

hmmm . . ! . ^^ . let me demonstraite the most complicated effect:

Guy1 = the guy who likes this girl.
Guy2 = the guy she is dreaming of - but has no hope of finding.
Girl1 = the 2nd background being used - with starry-eyes in a dream glance

5 second AMV in words . . . ^^ hehe - image art ^_~
. . as she stare's at the clouds floating by, her eye gently glances at Guy1 as he walks-by . . she smiles and looks back onto the clouds as a transparatcy of Guy1 morph's into Guy2 . . but then the image "POP's" as she notices that Guy1 is walking twards her . . the scene fades from "that" to the way she smiles all to eagerly - at his arrival . . . .

it does not need to be anymore complicated than that ^^

if you can think it, and put it to words, you can do it ^^ - that's my motto

traxx

- just my opinion