Have you ever thought of making a stop-motion video? After all, social media accounts with such a video, no doubt has some uniqueness. Besides, brands in video content creation need something to make them pop out of the crowd. Would you like to give this simple, cool, and fun process a try? At first, it may seem very complicated and a hassle to achieve. However, with the right tips, tools, processes, and a certain level of expertise, it doesn’t have to be technical and complicated. You can get it right. Please read on to learn how you can create your own stop motion video to bring some freshness and flair to your YouTube or Instagram posts, or ad some vibe to your video marketing strategy.
Stop Motion Video; What is It?
Stop motion is a technique in animation that is used to capture still images of inanimate objects and then stitch them in frames for you to have the video. You need to take dozens of still photographs to achieve this. How do you get the movement? The still objects will be moved slightly in each photo captured, thus creating a motion illusion.
On the other hand, a stop motion video is a short video that creates a visual appeal to the viewer. It shows a certain degree of creativity. Therefore, whether you want it for your social media posts or as a strategy for marketing your videos, it takes you away from the ordinary. Why? It makes you stand out and allows you to capture your audience's attention.
So, what do you need to create your own stop motion video? You don’t have to be in a studio to get it right. On the contrary, with the following key items, you can get it right;
· A camera; the capture device, either a digital camera or a smartphone.
· A tripod or selfie stick; The stand which helps steady your camera as you capture the shots. Alternatively, you can place your camera or smartphone against a stable surface.
· The inanimate object/material; what you want to take a stop motion video of.
· An editing software; A program or application for editing the frames together to get the video.
With the 4 key items ready, you can start the process of creating your own stop motion video. What are the steps? Let us find out.
How to Create Your Own Stop Motion Video
These are the steps you can follow to have amazing stop motion videos;
· Plan Properly
You cannot expect to get a good motion video without proper planning. Rather, the process may seem very complex, which should not be the case. Furthermore, you will require dozens or even hundreds of photos of the object you want to focus on. It is from the several still shots that you get a frame for your stop motion video.
Therefore, prioritize planning as the very first step. Preparation beforehand helps you ensure everything is in order and there is nothing you will need for the video that is left out.
Also, planning helps you put your thoughts and visions together. How would you like your content or brand to stand out from the rest? What is the main object you want to highlight? What story do you want to give your viewer? What are the movements you want to incorporate? This is the time to get these answers.
Moreover, when you pan properly, editing becomes less of a hassle. Were you forgetting about editing already? Well, we will dig dip into it as one of the steps.
· Have a Story Board
As earlier mentioned, you should have a storyline in the planning. this is the message you want to convey. With the story to tell ready and you have a clear vision of your video, you can create a storyboard. What sequence do you want? You will organize the shots taken depending on the visual sequence you opt for.
Such a storyboard acts as a guide and ensures you don't leave out any important shot that is important in the video. Besides, it keeps you on track while shooting and you don't have to spend time wondering what next shot to take. Notably, you could sketch or list the frames you need when shooting.
· Find the Setting
At this point, you decide where you want your camera to be. Remember, you don’t move the camera. It’s the object you will keep moving slightly as you progress with the shots. If you remove the frame, you lose the consistency of your shots. Who wants such unclean videos anyway?
Choosing the right background for the video is important at this step. Moreover, setting up also involves deciding how you will take the photos. Will you click from the front or do you prefer shooting from above? Remember, the effects you want to achieve in the end will help you determine this.
Adding some props to your setting is also great. The visual addition of props is something you don't want to miss out on. However, don’t overdo it. The focus should always be on the object and its motion.
· Take The Still Pictures
After you have the setup ready, you can take shots of the object. If you feel there are small changes you need to make after taking the photos, don’t fail to do so. Moreover, you can introduce new elements and keep making small changes until you are satisfied.
As mentioned earlier, stop motion videos require several still images. Therefore, you need to click many pictures every second of the video. Having around 7-10 frames in every second will help you get an interesting stop-motion video.
· Edit
You need an editing application or program to breathe some life into your still images. Once you have the images, you can upload them to the software and utilize its features to enhance and add extra effects to the stop motion video. For instance, you can incorporate some music or sound effects using the editing app.
Conclusion
A stop motion video is an exciting showcase of creativity. The good news is you don’t have to be a professional or be in a studio to have one for either your social media account or your brand posts. Furthermore, there are 4 key elements you need to have to get started; camera, tripod, object, and an editing software. With these, you can follow our simple steps and get an amazing stop motion video. Remember, you can always practice more to sharpen this technique that grabs your audience’s attention.
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