DIY Production Resources
For a printable PDF copy of this page, click the link at the right of the screen. *Links active on this page.
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NOTE: You do not have to spend a lot of money to make a decent book trailer. There are many excellent resources available to D.Y.I. creators for little to no cost.
Please be sure to check copyright information prior to using any image or audio clip.
Photo Sizes
NOTE: Get the best resolution you can afford. If using free images, look for these sizes (there is a smaller size available, but it will not look good on all monitors). Rule of thumb is that the more pixels there are, the higher the resolution. Photos are usually .jpg or .png formats.
**If you are buying stock images, size will make a difference in price.
Tip: Look for horizontal images. You can use vertical images, but they will have black fill in where image doesn’t fit.
Average - 640 x 360
HD (High Definition) 720 - 1230 x 720
HD (High Definition) - 1920 x 1080 (full HD resolution)
Video Sizes
NOTE: Video formats are always horizontal
4:3 is standard
16:9 is H
Photos
Animal Photos! - Creative Commons, free images of animals
http://www.animalphotos.info (yes, that’s .info)
dreamstime - royalty-free and stock photos / video at low or no cost
https://www.dreamstime.com
flickr - this link goes directly to the Creative Commons page (with links to images)
https://www.flickr.com/creativecommons
Focus Fitness - Free fitness, health, diet, yoga, running, food images for personal & commercial use.
https://www.focusfitness.net/stock-photos/
Gratisography - copyright-free images, free
http://www.gratisography.com
imagebase a/k/a DavesFreePhotos - Started by photographer David Niblack and free to use for any purpose. There is a PayPal button to Donate if you choose to contribute something.
http://www.imagebase.net
http://davesfreephotos.com
istock - Getty Images stock photos, royalty-free images, video clips. Cost varies, some are free. **Getty is known for quality.
http://www.istockphoto.com
Pixabay - free for commercial use CC public domain licensed images. First row is advertiser, rest are free. If you donate 10 images to Pixabay, the advertiser links go away when you're logged in.
http://pixabay.com
shutterstock - royalty-free images, illustrations, video clips, music, & more / reasonable cost
http://www.shutterstock.com
Unsplash - copyright-free images delivered to your email, free
http://www.unsplash.com
Video
Note: some of the photo sites listed above also offer video. Video saved as .wmv file.
videoblocks - video clips at reasonable rates **also has graphics and audio components (audioblocks - link on site)
https://www.videoblocks.com
Vimeo - this link goes directly to the Creative Commons page (has links to video clips)
https://vimeo.com/creativecommons
Music
Note: Most common audio files are 16 bit WAV files
300 Monks - royalty-free music at reasonable prices
http://www.300monks.com
audiosocket - licensing agreements, reasonably priced, they will do custom
https://www.audiosocket.com
Incompetech - royalty-free & licensing **This site has an ad at top - click the black bar with options: Royalty-Free Music / Music FAQ / Music Licenses… (this is the correct bar to click)
http://www.incompetech.com/music
Musicbed - licensing agreements, check with them for prices / custom
https://www.musicbed.com
NEO Sounds - royalty-free, low to reasonable cost
https://www.neosounds.com
purple planet - royalty-free, buy once and use w/o additional fees
http://www.purple-planet.com
SmartSound - royalty-free, buy once and use w/o additional fees
http://www.smartsound.com
D.I.Y. Music
GarageBand - Apple product - Mac
http://www.apple.com/mac/garageband/
GarageBand - for PC
https://www.appforpcshub.com/garageband-for-pc-windows-mac/
FX
FindSounds - web search for sound effects **many sounds are free, copyrights apply to others
http://www.findsounds.com
Fiverr - hire someone to create audio FX, narration, or music (be sure to check their work and what you actually get for the price).
https://www.fiverr.com
soundsnap - sound effects and loops at reasonable rates
https://www.soundsnap.com
Copyright Information
CopyrightBasics - PDF
https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf
Copyright FAQ
https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/
***Creative Commons***
https://creativecommons.org
Online Storyboard
StoryboardThat
http://www.storyboardthat.com
Video Production
List below in each category is in alphabetical order, not in order of my personal preference. Be sure to read about each program to see if it offers everything you may want to incorporate into your book trailer - some online programs allow music, but no narration, or not both. Others may not allow text in certain areas.
iMovie and Movie Maker are free downloads that I recommend you play around with (both will provide everything you need for creating a decent trailer). Be sure that your computer has the capacity / space for the software download and editing process. Older computers will need older versions of the software (in that case, you may be better off with an online editor). **How to and FAQs are available on the individual websites.
Software for Mac and PC
Software downloaded onto your computer. **Also check for apps to create on ipad, iPhone (Mac) and tablet, smartphone (Windows)
iMovie - Mac
http://www.apple.com/imovie - free download (already comes on many Mac computers)
Windows Movie Maker - Microsoft product for PC
http://www.windows-movie-maker.org
(you can also go directly to Microsoft website and search for it to download from there)
Camtasia - try for free, buy for Mac or PC
https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia
Vegas Pro 14
http://www.vegascreativesoftware.com/us/vegas-pro/
Online Editors
Note: If you are creating from a ‘free’ account from one of the sites listed below, your video will have a watermark. To get a clean copy, you must have a paid subscription.
Tip: Take advantage of the free memberships or trials to see how you like the editor (if you like it, you’ll want to pay for removal of watermark). **Be sure to quit before the free trial end date.
Animoto - TRT 20 minutes max / 30 seconds for the free video
http://www.animoto.com
Magisto - TRT varies. Free, but several types of subscriptions available at reasonable cost.
https://www.magisto.com
Stupeflix - TRT 20 minutes max
https://studio.stupeflix.com
WeVideo - see account specifics
https://www.wevideo.com
Animation
GoAnimate - subscription needed $$
https://goanimate.com
iStopMotion - Mac - purchase download on site
https://boinx.com/istopmotion/mac
Xtranormal - Must have a subscription. $ schools / $$$ other
http://www.xtranormal.com
Professional Editing Software
Adobe - Creative Cloud - search on site for: Premiere Pro
http://www.adobe.com
Avid Media Composer
http://www.avid.com/media-composer
Final Cut Pro Mac - iMovie in overdrive
http://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro
Online Flipbook Creators
Flip Builder
http://www.flipbuilder.com
Flipping Book
https://flippingbook.com/online-flipbook
Fun Stuff
CrazyTalk - facial animation software
https://www.reallusion.com/crazytalk
Timer
Script to Time Calculator - helps when writing narration
http://www.edgestudio.com/production/words-to-time-calculator
Where to Upload
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com
Vimeo
http://www.vimeo.com
Facebook - create an author page
http://www.facebook.com
Goodreads - create an author page
https://goodreads.com
Also:
- your author website
- other author websites (exchange trailers or guest blog)
- book review sites
- book reviewer sites
- online newsletter
Create hard copies (DVDs)
- play at book signing and author events
- use as promotional giveaways
©Barbara Dolny-Bombar
http://www.bdbcomminications.com
http://www.bdbombar.com
http://www.ncgypsy.com
Please be sure to check copyright information prior to using any image or audio clip.
Photo Sizes
NOTE: Get the best resolution you can afford. If using free images, look for these sizes (there is a smaller size available, but it will not look good on all monitors). Rule of thumb is that the more pixels there are, the higher the resolution. Photos are usually .jpg or .png formats.
**If you are buying stock images, size will make a difference in price.
Tip: Look for horizontal images. You can use vertical images, but they will have black fill in where image doesn’t fit.
Average - 640 x 360
HD (High Definition) 720 - 1230 x 720
HD (High Definition) - 1920 x 1080 (full HD resolution)
Video Sizes
NOTE: Video formats are always horizontal
4:3 is standard
16:9 is H
Photos
Animal Photos! - Creative Commons, free images of animals
http://www.animalphotos.info (yes, that’s .info)
dreamstime - royalty-free and stock photos / video at low or no cost
https://www.dreamstime.com
flickr - this link goes directly to the Creative Commons page (with links to images)
https://www.flickr.com/creativecommons
Focus Fitness - Free fitness, health, diet, yoga, running, food images for personal & commercial use.
https://www.focusfitness.net/stock-photos/
Gratisography - copyright-free images, free
http://www.gratisography.com
imagebase a/k/a DavesFreePhotos - Started by photographer David Niblack and free to use for any purpose. There is a PayPal button to Donate if you choose to contribute something.
http://www.imagebase.net
http://davesfreephotos.com
istock - Getty Images stock photos, royalty-free images, video clips. Cost varies, some are free. **Getty is known for quality.
http://www.istockphoto.com
Pixabay - free for commercial use CC public domain licensed images. First row is advertiser, rest are free. If you donate 10 images to Pixabay, the advertiser links go away when you're logged in.
http://pixabay.com
shutterstock - royalty-free images, illustrations, video clips, music, & more / reasonable cost
http://www.shutterstock.com
Unsplash - copyright-free images delivered to your email, free
http://www.unsplash.com
Video
Note: some of the photo sites listed above also offer video. Video saved as .wmv file.
videoblocks - video clips at reasonable rates **also has graphics and audio components (audioblocks - link on site)
https://www.videoblocks.com
Vimeo - this link goes directly to the Creative Commons page (has links to video clips)
https://vimeo.com/creativecommons
Music
Note: Most common audio files are 16 bit WAV files
300 Monks - royalty-free music at reasonable prices
http://www.300monks.com
audiosocket - licensing agreements, reasonably priced, they will do custom
https://www.audiosocket.com
Incompetech - royalty-free & licensing **This site has an ad at top - click the black bar with options: Royalty-Free Music / Music FAQ / Music Licenses… (this is the correct bar to click)
http://www.incompetech.com/music
Musicbed - licensing agreements, check with them for prices / custom
https://www.musicbed.com
NEO Sounds - royalty-free, low to reasonable cost
https://www.neosounds.com
purple planet - royalty-free, buy once and use w/o additional fees
http://www.purple-planet.com
SmartSound - royalty-free, buy once and use w/o additional fees
http://www.smartsound.com
D.I.Y. Music
GarageBand - Apple product - Mac
http://www.apple.com/mac/garageband/
GarageBand - for PC
https://www.appforpcshub.com/garageband-for-pc-windows-mac/
FX
FindSounds - web search for sound effects **many sounds are free, copyrights apply to others
http://www.findsounds.com
Fiverr - hire someone to create audio FX, narration, or music (be sure to check their work and what you actually get for the price).
https://www.fiverr.com
soundsnap - sound effects and loops at reasonable rates
https://www.soundsnap.com
Copyright Information
CopyrightBasics - PDF
https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ01.pdf
Copyright FAQ
https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/
***Creative Commons***
https://creativecommons.org
Online Storyboard
StoryboardThat
http://www.storyboardthat.com
Video Production
List below in each category is in alphabetical order, not in order of my personal preference. Be sure to read about each program to see if it offers everything you may want to incorporate into your book trailer - some online programs allow music, but no narration, or not both. Others may not allow text in certain areas.
iMovie and Movie Maker are free downloads that I recommend you play around with (both will provide everything you need for creating a decent trailer). Be sure that your computer has the capacity / space for the software download and editing process. Older computers will need older versions of the software (in that case, you may be better off with an online editor). **How to and FAQs are available on the individual websites.
Software for Mac and PC
Software downloaded onto your computer. **Also check for apps to create on ipad, iPhone (Mac) and tablet, smartphone (Windows)
iMovie - Mac
http://www.apple.com/imovie - free download (already comes on many Mac computers)
Windows Movie Maker - Microsoft product for PC
http://www.windows-movie-maker.org
(you can also go directly to Microsoft website and search for it to download from there)
Camtasia - try for free, buy for Mac or PC
https://www.techsmith.com/camtasia
Vegas Pro 14
http://www.vegascreativesoftware.com/us/vegas-pro/
Online Editors
Note: If you are creating from a ‘free’ account from one of the sites listed below, your video will have a watermark. To get a clean copy, you must have a paid subscription.
Tip: Take advantage of the free memberships or trials to see how you like the editor (if you like it, you’ll want to pay for removal of watermark). **Be sure to quit before the free trial end date.
Animoto - TRT 20 minutes max / 30 seconds for the free video
http://www.animoto.com
Magisto - TRT varies. Free, but several types of subscriptions available at reasonable cost.
https://www.magisto.com
Stupeflix - TRT 20 minutes max
https://studio.stupeflix.com
WeVideo - see account specifics
https://www.wevideo.com
Animation
GoAnimate - subscription needed $$
https://goanimate.com
iStopMotion - Mac - purchase download on site
https://boinx.com/istopmotion/mac
Xtranormal - Must have a subscription. $ schools / $$$ other
http://www.xtranormal.com
Professional Editing Software
Adobe - Creative Cloud - search on site for: Premiere Pro
http://www.adobe.com
Avid Media Composer
http://www.avid.com/media-composer
Final Cut Pro Mac - iMovie in overdrive
http://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro
Online Flipbook Creators
Flip Builder
http://www.flipbuilder.com
Flipping Book
https://flippingbook.com/online-flipbook
Fun Stuff
CrazyTalk - facial animation software
https://www.reallusion.com/crazytalk
Timer
Script to Time Calculator - helps when writing narration
http://www.edgestudio.com/production/words-to-time-calculator
Where to Upload
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com
Vimeo
http://www.vimeo.com
Facebook - create an author page
http://www.facebook.com
Goodreads - create an author page
https://goodreads.com
Also:
- your author website
- other author websites (exchange trailers or guest blog)
- book review sites
- book reviewer sites
- online newsletter
Create hard copies (DVDs)
- play at book signing and author events
- use as promotional giveaways
©Barbara Dolny-Bombar
http://www.bdbcomminications.com
http://www.bdbombar.com
http://www.ncgypsy.com
©Copyright 2017-2018 Barbara Dolny-Bombar