these are several websites that really help take video design to a whole new level…many of them offer free downloads or just free info and tutorials on learning videos and the use of special effects…Hope it can help someone!
Video Copilot – Host Andrew Kramer is unbelievable at editing with After Effects and there are tons of free tutorials as well as effect/preset downloads with the projects that he does himself! very useful for advanced editing…
Revostock – Somewhat expensive if you get into buying footage or projects, but every week there is a free video/graphic/useful download that I use all of the time. all you have to do is register (its free and no strings attached) and you are eligible to download the graphics each week.
Stock XChange – A really great free image library with hi-res pictures…this is great if your looking for good Green screen backdrops, or for any kind of graphic design project…
ArtBeats – Great site for After Effects tutorials and tons of stock footage/images/sound clips…
Creative Cow – EXTREMELY USEFUL SITE! So many tutorials for all different kinds of software as well as levels of editing…simple all the way up to very difficult! They also have a podcast through itunes which is usually easier to follow because you can pause easier and put them on your ipod for later use!
LifeChurch – Really inspiring web site for innovative design and use of media in churches…Very good stuff, and they also provide certain media if you request…
Lynda Training – Essentially Media school…In a nutshell…It is fabulous for learning software…Eventually you have to pay for the “courses,” but they offer several free ones as well….
ESPN – I know…Why? but honestly, ESPN is still at the top of the game when it comes to creative use of media…They have extremely creative graphics/commercials/and special effects…But most of all, they are amazing at documentary/testimony style videos…they are truly touching and just all around impactful…video editing isn’t all about software and what you can do, but rather how and who your doing it for! Sometimes the best way to learn is just to sit back and watch, with detail, the ones that establish a firm media base. ESPN is absolutely one of them! take a pen and jot down even the littlest things that they do and why they do it…I’ve spent several days off just watching Sportscenter and taking notes!
