How to choose the best vidding software for your needs: Mac and PC
<< Intro to vidding Home | List of software for vidders >>
One of the big decisions a newbie vidder can make is what software to use. This page will help you be more informed of your options. There are several things you must consider before making your choice.
Two factors must be taken into account when choosing your software: your techie prowess, and the style of vidding you probably will have.
Software requirements vs. tech savvy:
A lot of people just want to start out by making a simple video—they don't want to think about learning a lot of bells and whistles, or sometimes, they know themselves, and they know that if the software takes too much effort to learn, they'll never bother. (After all, this vidding stuff is supposed to be fun!)
But others are don't mind the idea of learning challenging software right off, and see no need to start out with a simpler program that they'll soon outgrow.
One must balance the desire to make things simple with the realization that maybe some of the things they'd like to do with fan videos won't be possible with the more newbie-friendly software. For the most part, it's best to start simple and then progress to something more complicated (in vidding style and software) but maybe that's not the best approach for everyone.
If (a big "if") you're one of these people who is used to delving deep into software manuals and are not afraid of the time it'll take to learn—and you know that you will inevitably be doing videos with a high level of effects—then you might consider a more advanced video program right off. Otherwise, stick with the tried-and-true newbie apps.
But, before we know what "style" of vidding you might have (and what level of effects it might contain) we need to identify some video styles.
Style in fan vidding:
Fan videos have various styles, and can be a combination of many styles. For the sake of simplicity, let's narrow down vidding into two distiinct styles:
Storytelling style: The story (and the lyrics of the song) are the main focus. Special effects are not used to great excess, because they can be distracting, or are simply not desired by the vidder. Simple, elegant cuts are used. Both simple and sophisticated software are capable of creating these types of videos.
Guy of Gisborne (by AmberDarke, aka Jancis) Not too many special effects that I can see—just crisp editing and a hilarious idea (using a perky Disney tune as the anthem for "Robin Hood" villain Guy of Gisborne). (Some Season 2 spoilers)
Deliver Me (by Neelma) Nothing too fancy—just a heart-wrenching, poignant song with brilliantly matched clips. From the "North & South" (BBC, 2004) miniseries.
Edward and Elinor (by approp, aka spinningjenny) Beautiful, elegant, easy to understand—who needs all the bells and whistles of gratuitous special effects? From the miniseries "Sense and Sensibility."
World on Fire (by Catgirl, aka FLCatgirl) Another emotional video using the music and carefully chosen scenes to convey the message. From the "North & South" (BBC 2004) miniseries.
Visual & effects style: The story is still important, but special effects that create a mood (or possibly dazzle) are important too. More sophisticated or complex software is required to achieve many of these effects.
Angels (by HeathRA aka heathdances) Heather tells a compelling and clear story (of romantic betrayal) but uses stunning special effects as well to lend added emotion and impact. From "Robin Hood" (BBC). (Some Season 2 spoilers)
My Brilliant Idea (by lim) Not only a hilarious and strangely fitting song for the story she's telling, but special effects that are beyond imagining! This is high art in a fan video. From the "Stargate Atlantis" fandom.
Revolution (by Penelope aka okiedokie84) A extremely clever video devoted to actor Richard Armitage (Robin Hood, North & South) which uses inventive and creative effects while following the lyrics of the song in an amusing way.
I am Guy of Gisborne (by Elvira aka elvirasweeney) This is one of mine. Okay, not the most compelling story—not much of a story at all. It's a rather eccentric and off-beat character study, using gratuitous special effects. From "Robin Hood" (BBC).
Of course it's a gross oversimplification to pigeonhole one video as "storytelling" and another as "effects" when many videos are easily both. And, it's important to point out that the lack (or addition) of effects does not make a video better, or worse. It all just depends on the individual video.
Look at the different software programs for vidders—Page 2 >>
