In the previous installments of this series, we’ve highlighted two absolutely essential tools for success in video production: PASSION and PATIENCE. So to recap… what’s that? Those are boring topics, you say? Get to the good stuff, you say? Well then, without further ado, let’s discuss the third (and coolest) essential for video production: RESOURCES!
A content creator will almost always perform better with strong resources at their disposal. Instead of getting long-winded about why that’s the case, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorites, separated into two categories: Educational and Inspirational. The good news about most of these resources? They’re cheap or free-of-charge! The only cost associated is the investment of your time and focus. Enjoy, and be sure to comment below with any cool resources that I’ve overlooked!
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
There’s no shortage of free training available on the internet, so if you’re on-board with the first two essentials of video production (passion and patience), this is where you’ll truly excel! Whether you’re learning beginner concepts like masks and keyframing, intermediate concepts like track matting and transfer modes, or expert processes like animated typography, you can find the how-to’s online:
Video Copilot – If yo
u’re into motion design, videography or special effects, you probably already know about Andrew Kramer and the great tutorials/resources at videocopilot.com.
Creative Cow – Another mainstay in the motion graphics world, this site is a fantastic source of tutorials, forums, and help from seasoned professionals.
Mograph.net – If you have motion graphics question, this community-style website most likely has the answers. There are many a seasoned professional willing to help steer you in the right direction or provide feedback on your work.
Tuts+, AEtuts – This site is a fantastic resource for 3D or Motion Graphics tutorials. I’ve learned a great deal of tips and tricks here, but keep in mind that the source files for many of the tutorials are only accessible with a premium (paid) account.
Aescripts + AEplugins – If you use After Effects, Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro, this website is FANTASTIC! Browse through hundreds of tools and scripts that can be “plugged-in” to your software to improve the efficiency and quality of your work.
INSPIRATIONAL RESOURCES
If you find yourself in a brainstorming drought or just want to get the creativity flowing, searching the internet for design and videography trends can lead to fresh and exciting ideas. Another great source of inspiration is to find a project or template online that you really like, then “pop the hood” and see how it was built and how it works. Here are some good examples of inspirational resources to get you started:
Motionogropher – click the link and be inspired…. No but seriously, click the link.
Prochurchtools – Brady Shearer has a fantastic website called prochurchtools.com where he focuses on everything in the world of church media. He offers tips and techniques for video production and presentation, and his podcasts are fantastic.
videohive.net, pond5.com, fluxvfx.com – These websites offer templates, project files, stock video/photography and other useful tools for purchase. Download a project file and reverse engineer it to learn how the video production pros manage and execute their vision. Unless you’ve got Scrooge McDuck money, I wouldn’t suggest using these resources in commercial projects… but for personal projects or to learn your craft, they’re cheap and very valuable.
Looking for a free version of the last resource? Check out this post on premiumbeat.com to find 10 free After Effects templates you can play around with. Again, understanding how a pro has created and managed their project will advance your learning curve by leaps and bounds. There are plenty of places to find these types of royalty free resources, and deconstructing them has taught me some of the most valuable tricks I know about After Effects and other video compositing software.
RECAPPING THIS ESSENTIAL
Aside from passion and patience, the most essential tool to a video producer is access to resources. That doesn’t necessarily mean that buying shiny hardware or expensive software will make you successful. Instead, invest your time and energy in educational and inspirational resources that are readily available on the internet. If you know what to look for and look hard enough, these resources are inexpensive and will lead to exponential growth.
Good luck in your journey as a content creator and always feel free to reach out if you have questions about the tools and resources on this list. Also feel free to comment below with any resources I’ve missed. I’ll be praying for your video production success!
May we also add https://www.enchanted.media – for After Effects and Premiere Pro templates as well as animated clips and image packs for video.