I've got a tough one...but believe this forum has someone who can help. I need help learning to time text and graphics to voiceovers and how to put them all together in a nice way. Perhaps "Ken Burns" style or like those old movies we used to watch in school. Are there any books, tutorials online or just titles of good examples of this? Again its dry stuff: text, diagrams and voice over with a little bit of photos and graphics. How to make it interesting and yet professional...I could really use guidance. Thanks forum for your help in advance. If anyone has a hint, I would be most appreciative!
What software are you using to create/edit the final piece? Everything and more could be completed easily with Adobe After Effects. With that said, here is a list of some amazing tutorials: http://naldzgraphics.net/tutorials/50-most-amazing-adobe-after-effects-tutorials-you-need-to-learn/ A tutorial just for the 'Ken Burns' effect: http://blogs.adobe.com/bobddv/2006/09/son_of_ben_kurns.html
Dear MmmDesign, Thank you for those awesome tutorials. Especially the Ken Burns Effects. I have bookmarked them all! I am working in Flash specifically. Working mostly to animate words and graphics with a few pics is pretty boring stuff and I realize that the only way I can find interest in the job is to try to do a really good job. Where I am stuck is that I haven't seen too many examples of multimedia lessons like this. And I have no idea of text should appear before or after the voice-over says them and how much faster or slower....etc. Simple simple basics, but its kinda new to me, so I am seeking guidance. Thanks again.
Well since your using mainly Flash there is an amazing tutorial on how to do a 'Ken Burns' like effect. You can see it here: http://www.gotoandlearn.com/play?id=96 As far as learning the basics for adding text to a video I would say the easiest way would be to watch a ton of TV commercials and pay attention to their methods. I don't know what exactly your video will be for but there are some basic ways to handle text timing and usage but it really comes down to what type of impact you're going for. I would say one of the most effective would be to treat the entire video like a live presentation/ lecture. Have the text appear when the key points need to be emphasized. For example if the speaker was saying "Deep in the suburbs of London we have found a giraffe that can speak Latin" You could have only 'giraffe that can speak Latin' come on screen at the exact say time that part is spoken. Maybe have it remain onscreen slightly longer, even if a new sentence is started. You could also take some liberties with the text that is displayed onscreen and summarize whatever is being said. So if the speaker says the same sentence as before maybe onscreen it would way 'Latin speaking giraffes'. Have it appear the entire length of the sentence/phrase. Really there are no set rules as to how to handle it and every project would require different treatments. I am not a professional editor/ director but I would be glad to offer my insights when you get a rough draft complete. Sometimes it helps to bounce ideas off of someone else. Don't hesitate to PM me if you need would like. Cheers!
Hey MmmDesign, That is wonderful advice. We are actually not even using that much video. It will mostly be voiceover with text and graphics in the foreground. About 3 hours of it. I have designed the basic graphics as I would for print, but am finding the process of making them alive and work over time with the voiceover is quite a challenge. I really appreciate your examples. And I would love your feedback - thank you for offering!