Recent Lessons

• Easy Vimeo Projects

  by Riley Hooper 8 days ago
  At Vimeo, we celebrate all types of videos and video makers, from the totally novice to the completely professional. And while we love a good HD tilt-shift bokeh-filled underwater timelapse video, we also love simple videos of everyday moments, caught on the fly with small point-and-shoot cameras or cell phones and uploaded with little editing or post-production trickery. These types of projects challenge Vimeans to pay close attention, push their personal boundaries, and feed off one another's creativity.
  
  Over the years, we've launched numerous video projects that champion this more candid, off-the-cuff style of video making. Here's a look at some of our favorite super-easy, super-fun projects, which will hopefully inspire you to go out and start shooting!
  
  1. One Minute
  With an oh-so-simple premise, this project focuses on cinematography and is designed to capture the moments in life that are often overlooked. The video must be exactly one minute in length, contain no camera movements (panning, tilting, etc.) or editing, and make use of original sound. When you're done, tag it with '1 minute' and upload to the One Minute Group. For some inspiration, check out James Adamson's Light and Water video, which won a Weekend Project a few years ago.
  
  

  

  Lights and Water

  
  

  from James Adamson

  00:00

  60

  HD

  
  2. 5x5
  Again, the rules are simple, but the possibilities are endless! The video must be composed of five 5-second clips and use original sound. A 5x5 is a great way to tell a short story, illustrate a scene, or communicate a mood. Perhaps you have some short clips lying around, but don't have enough for a longer piece? Make a 5x5! When you're done, tag it with '5 Vignettes' and/or '5x5' and upload to the 5x5 Group. Here's a beautiful example by Eirik Solheim centered around the theme of 'motion':
  
  

  

  5x5 - Motion

  
  

  from Eirik Solheim Plus

  00:00

  25

  HD

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  Category:

  Editing

  , Shooting

  Difficulty:

  Beginner

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• Making an Animated Title Sequence

  by Daniel Hayek 28 days ago
  Title sequences are some of the most memorable elements of classic films and TV shows. We love North by Northwest, Star Wars, and The Brady Bunch for lots of different reasons, but all entrance us from the first frame with animated title sequences that perfectly set the mood for the stories that follow. Recently, we explored motion design and watched many examples of compelling title sequences — now let's see how to make one. Motion design is a relatively complex endeavor, but luckily our very own Nick Campbell, a.k.a. the Greyscalegorilla, has some sweet tutorials to help you get started. For those who don't know him, Nick is a motion-design virtuoso, longtime Vimeo member, and never-ending fount of visual creativity.
  
  In this lesson, Nick walks you through how to make a simple intro for your film using Maxon Cinema 4D and Adobe After Effects. First, he creates the Vimeo logo in 3D text using the extrude NURBS feature in Cinema 4D. Then he lights the logo with simple global illumination and ambient occlusion. Don't worry if you haven't used Cinema 4D before — it's pretty easy to set up. In the second part of the tutorial, Nick puts everything together in After Effects by tracking the scene to situate the logo in the scene. Finally, he color corrects and finishes the composite to create a realistic-looking animation. Don't sweat the technical jargon too much — Nick is a great teacher and takes you through the process step by step. When you're done, you'll end up with a cool animated title sequence like this:
  
  

  

  Vimeo School Composite

  
  

  from Nick Campbell

  00:00

  15

  HD

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  Category:

  Software

  Difficulty:

  Advanced

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• Our Guide to Giving Gear

  by Champ Ensminger 1 month ago
  Got some video buffs on your to-buy-for list this year? Here at Vimeo, we are professionally obligated to learn the ins and outs of the many cameras and accessories on the market, but for a first-time buyer all the options and technical language can be a little daunting. Well, we're here to keep your holiday spirits high with a few suggestions that will help you find the perfect gift for the cinematographer in your life.
  
  
  Point-and-Shoot Cameras
  A point-and-shoot is for the new shooter who wants a portable, easy-to-use camera that suits their spur-of-the-moment style. Compact and lightweight, a point-and-shoot comes in handy when shooting video at parties, in the car, or at home — all while capturing high-quality HD video. If your gift-recipient likes to shoot on vacation or while exploring the natural world, consider getting them a camera that can withstand water, dust, accidental drops, and whatever else they can dish out. Before you buy, make sure to check the camera's specifications to make sure it can handle the rough stuff.
  
  
  DSLRs
  For the seasoned shooter, or a camera whiz who's ready for the next step, you may want to spring for a DSLR camera. DSLRs introduce a larger array of manual controls that provide more shooting flexibility — it's the perfect camera for the amateur filmmaker, music video director, or documentarian. DSLR cameras usually come with a kit lens that works just fine in most situations. Down the road, though, your gift-getter will have the option to swap out different lenses for different shooting conditions where zoom, depth of field, and focal length are important. In short, a DSLR is the ideal starting point for a new auteur. Continue Reading…

  Category:

  Gear

  Difficulty:

  Beginner

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• Adding Depth to Your Shots

  by Riley Hooper 1 month ago
  When most people think about adding depth to videos, they immediately think about DSLR cameras, and for good reason: One of the most appealing aspects of shooting video on a DSLR is the shallow depth of field you can achieve.
  
  With DSLRs, interchangeable lenses that stop down to wide apertures allow you to get those super-cinematic shots, capture bokeh, rack focus, and separate your subject from the background, drawing your audience's eye to the details you choose. Adjusting aperture to obtain shallow depth of field is a great trick, but let's not get stuck in thinking that it's the only way to add depth to your shots.
  
  This great tutorial from Realm Pictures explores six ways to create depth in your videos, most of which don’t call for a DSLR:
  
  

  

  UWR Week 11 - Making the 2D look 3D!

  
  

  from Realm Pictures Pro

  00:00

  399

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  Category:

  Shooting

  Difficulty:

  Beginner

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