Want to be a filmmaker?

ILA’s Annual Conference starts tomorrow and I wanted to take a second plugging a program/project that I’m helping out with called ILA Video Shootout. The idea is to teach participants the basics of making a quick video and then helping them create a video during the conference. It starts on Tuesday, when we’ll have an afternoon program to introduce people to the process of making a video and issue a challenge to create their own in the next few days. Then, during the conference, several of us involved with the program will be on-hand in a lab near the exhibits to assist people with editing their footage and uploading to YouTube. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the ILA Video Shootout Facebook page and email ilavideo11@gmail.com to express your interest. You can also just stop by the program on Tuesday to learn more.

Even if you can’t make it, you should know that it’s easier than ever to create simple videos and share them online. Here are some simple steps to help you get started:

1. Come up with an idea. Do you want to feature a library service, provide a visual tour, interview a staff member, interview users’ testimonies, or capture a special program? What are you proud of and what do you think people should know about the library?
2. Think about what you want the video to look like. Try to visualize where you want to film, what you want to film, and how you want to film.
3. Find a recording device. This should be easy because most of us have access to at least a digital camera with movie function. If you have a camcorder, even better. Even if you don’t have a camcorder or a digital camera, your mobile phone should be able to capture video. In fact, the newer smart phones really do a great job capturing high-def video.
4. Start recording and don’t worry about getting it right on the first take. When you start editing, you can cut out the stuff you don’t want.
5. Upload the footage to a computer with some video editing software like iMovie (on Macs) or Windows Movie Maker (free for Windows users). YouTube even has some very simple editing options. Some mobile devices like the iPad have apps that allow you to edit videos right on the device.
6. Upload to YouTube. Easy-to-understand instructions are available on YouTube and elsewhere. If you don’t like YouTube, Vimeo.com is another nice option.

Let us know if you end up creating a video for the library! Maybe we can post it on our Facebook page!

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