Vidding for Newbies [updated 2.16.6]

[permetaform]

Okay first?

Take a deep breath.

Don't Panic.

- a DVD dad 'ripper' (like SmartRipper)
- a program that converts .vob to .avi, or that otherwise makes video 'clips' (like DVD2AVI)
- a clip 'editor' program (like Premiere and/or Windows Media Maker and/or Final Cut Pro)

is *all* you need to make a vid from a DVD.

That, and a song, an idea, and a good bit of bloody mindedness.

Next?

1) Get a random .avi file from somewhere. (Doesn't matter, outtakes or something you've downloaded.) Get a song.
2) Open up your editor.
3) Play with the clip and/or edit a short sequence.

DO THIS FIRST! Reading too much Vid Meta before you run into problems is just gonna make your head EXPLODE.

_{I'm not shitting your about this. Do not make me start talking about inverse telecine decimate and non-square pixels at you...}

(ps. Don't stress out about all those details of codecs and framerates and aspect ratios right now. You are *going* to run into those types of problems, it's not a matter of "if" but "when", but right *now*? Don't worry about it. Make vids, have fun, learn as you go.)

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[READ before you start vidding]
No, seriously. READ THESE. ::stands there with a pitchfork::

What is Clip Theft and why you just shouldn't do it, and also further post on clip theft.

Random things learned from vidding that's good to know before one dives in, and meanwhile some common misconceptions about vidding 'rules' (ie. "It's perfectly okay to disagree with some Vid Meta, just have a *reason*").

Some with newbie advice from the school of tough love, or as I like to call it 'Ya Need to Develop your Inner Snape', and sisabet's So You Want to Be a Vidder: Five Not So Easy Steps.

[Regarding Song Choice]
ie. all songs *can* be vidded, but not all songs/subjects are easily viddable at every skill level...

on Song Choice and Song-with-Fandom choice

Why the Average Pop Song makes a boring vid.

BUT! a reply in argument to this about vidding popular music and songs vidded multiple times and how Popular is not necessarily a dirty word.

Read this page on editing so your music is shorter. Trust me, ya wanna cut your music. It WILL make your vid better.

[Technical Info for Getting Started]
Read the following websites ONLY UNTIL YOU CAN GET STARTED. (if you read more than that your head's gonna explode)

Check out Vidding 101

A&E's Technical Guides to All Things Audio and Video, it's very long and very very comprehensive. Again, DON'T PANIC. Read until you know how to get started, refer back repeatedly when you get in a rut.

Vidding on a computer and Vidding on analog, the technical stuff is rather scary but again, DON'T PANIC.

Still stuck? Try the Troubleshooting links below...

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[Troubleshooting]

When you hit that Brick Wall Of Frustration, start checking these links out:

Foundation Level: General Info

[X] Getting Started
[X] DVD ripping
[X] Cross Platform/Conversion
[X] Sound
[X] Exporting/Compression
[X] Misc Technical issues
[X] Before You Start Vidding...

1st Level: Song Choice

Both sides of the song choice debate.

2nd Level: Technical Vidding Tips

Specific Tips on Effects and General Tips on Vid-making

3rd Level: Vidding that shows deeper

Clip Choice and The Big Picture

Rooftop: Recs and Reviews and Commentary

Recs and Reviews, Specific Vid Commentary, and General Vidder Comments

Flying Leap: Feedback and Critique

On Critique, On Feedback, and on Getting Past Vidding Funk

Neither here nor there: Misc. Vid Meta

People Who Vid, The Funny, and Beyond a Vid