Content creation has a pretty low barrier for entry these days. We carry high quality cameras in our pockets, we check our emails on computers capable of editing TV shows, and we interact with hundreds if not thousands of different pieces of content every single day. We’re no longer just passive viewers of tvs and movies. We’re now active consumers of content, we post, comment, and create on platforms made for mass consumption. And yet, there’s still a stark difference between an instagram story and the kinds of quality content that millions flock to on YouTube. So what exactly is that difference? And what do you actually need to do to go from being a consumer of this content to a creator of it?
What you already have…
For starters – let’s just assume you have a phone capable of shooting HD footage (that’s 1920×1080.) Every iPhone from the iPhone 6s on is actually capable of shooting 4K footage so you’re probably good on this one. (For reference, 4K is 3840×2160 – so exactly double the width and length of HD footage.)
For this article – you’ll also need a computer (laptops count.) There are actually some video editing softwares on phones and tablets that will allow you to create some basic content but for our purposes – we’re talking about creating high quality content that looks and feels professional so computers are a must.
Now let’s start with what most people tend to overlook.
Editing Software
Everyone wants to talk about what kind of camera you should get – but trust me – that’s nowhere near as important as what editing software you’re using. And look, you could have a long discussion over what kind of editing software you should use when building content – but in truth that’s a waste of time. There’s really only one editing suite that deserves your attention.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe has a firm grip on the market and for very good reason. Adobe has the tools available to create anything from a Hollywood film to a 10 second instagram story. It also has the tools to match any skill level. You can go from never having touched editing software to confidently creating simple videos for digital platforms in a couple hours.
The Adobe Creative Suite is the industry standard which has a couple huge benefits for you:
- It has every tool you need and more.
- Seriously. Adobe Premiere is the best video editing software out there. Adobe Premiere Rush is a stunningly easy to use video editing software that you can master within a week. Adobe Photoshop is the best photo editing software in the world and it’s not even close. It’s literally a verb now. Not to mention After Effects, Audition, Illustrator, InDesign, and more. Adobe is a powerhouse and necessity for any creative.
- Several million other people have worked out all the kinks and made about a billion tutorials and scattered them across every corner of the internet.
- I say this with complete honesty and the experience to back it up… YouTube is better than film school. Adobe is one of the most used software suites in the world and you will find every tutorial you can imagine on YouTube.
- It’s the industry standard!
- I know, I already said that. But the Adobe suite is used by nearly every major production company and digital content studio. If you can master these editing tools, you’ll have a very practical skill that people will actually pay you to use! I’ve survived off editing gigs many times and I know plenty of editors who regularly bill anywhere from $600 to $1,000 a day.
What about the other editing programs?
A lot of people start off on iMovie or Final Cut Pro X – myself included – and they’re not bad products BUT they’re really easy to outgrow and outgrowing software can be insanely frustrating. I started off on iMovie when I was 12 years old and it worked for where I was at but by 15 it was infuriating to use. So I upgraded to Final Cut Pro X and I was happy with it for a bit BUT I again found it really limiting. Upgrading editing softwares is pretty annoying – you have to totally relearn your workflow and figure out a new way to create your content – I upgraded from iMovie to Final Cut Pro X and then finally to Adobe Premiere. And I can say very honestly that I will never have to upgrade again. I can also very honestly say that I wish I’d started off on Adobe when I was younger – it would’ve saved me a ton of time and stress and probably would’ve landed me a better job a bit quicker out of film school.
The Assets
Ok, so you’ve got your editing software, but if you’re looking for a way to really stand out, this is one of my favorite products. One of the hardest challenges I’ve faced as a content creator is keeping things visually interesting while trying to tell the story I want to tell. A lot of those challenges can be solved by being creative with your camera placements, running off and shooting broll and using music to help you tell your story. But sometimes you need professional grade footage to help you tell your story. Footage that you don’t have the time or money (or experience) to shoot. This next product has been an absolutely massive time/lifesaver for me. I honestly use it daily and it has helped elevate every single project I work on.
Envato Elements
From creating a web series, to a commercial, to a social post – Envato Elements is the first place I go. It’s not free but it is kind of a shockingly good deal – you pay a small monthly fee and you have access to over 50 million creative assets – not an exaggeration. This subscription has everything from graphic templates to high quality photos to (my favorite) studio grade stock video. And this stuff can seriously upgrade the quality of your project.
If that’s not enough of a sales pitch, here’s my big three for why you need Envato Elements:
- Even if you’re not a pro… you can look like one.
- Shooting professional grade footage is not easy or cheap – but with this subscription, you can get away with creating a ton of original, quality content without actually needing to pick up a camera.
- There’s a lot of room to grow!
- Outgrowing a tool can be really frustrating, take it from me, you won’t need to upgrade from this anytime soon. This subscription doesn’t just give you a ton of stock video assets – it also gives you a ton of music, sound effects, graphics, fonts, photos, tutorials and special effects assets. You probably won’t use every single one of those things right away. But as you grow as a content creator, you’ll find new ways to put these tools to use and that room to grow is a huge plus.
- Pandemic proof!
- This was a big one for me and it was ultimately the reason I ended up subscribing. Whether it’s a pandemic or just a bigger reliance on work from home, Zoom footage sucks. Nobody wants to watch people sit still in their bedrooms and a lot of content out there looks exactly like that. Having access to thousands of pieces of footage and millions of photos allows you to create exciting, quality content whether you’re stuck in your bedroom or working from a cubicle.
The Accessories
Ok I know you’re still worried about the camera but let’s just assume you have a phone capable of shooting HD footage (that’s 1920×1080.) Every iPhone from the iPhone 6s on is actually capable of shooting 4K footage so you’re probably good on this one. (For reference, 4K is 3840×2160 – so exactly double the width and length of HD footage.) You’ve got a camera in your pocket! But you do need some tools to actually set yourself and your camera up for success.
The Tools
A JOBY Tripod
Ah, the tripod – it’s honestly synonymous with cameras at this point and it’s the essential tool in your filmmaker toolkit. Most internet creators tend to go with JOBY tripods because of their size, ease of use, and versatility. Within seconds you can go from using the JOBY as a vlogger arm extension to using it to frame simple tabletop shots. This one is a must – and it’s perfect for using your phone.
For DSLR cameras – you’ll need this JOBY.
A Ring Light
A lot of people swear by ring lights and they are super useful. One of the easiest ways to tell if someone is new at filmmaking/vlogging is by their lighting. Cameras are kind of like the human eye – they need light to work correctly. But that doesn’t mean a ring light is the only way to go. You can get some really great shots by working with natural light. Shooting by a big window (with the light pointing at your face, not at the camera) or even outside can help you create some great footage. If you’re getting dark/grainy footage, try to relocate somewhere brighter. If that’s not an option – definitely get yourself a light.
A Microphone
A professor once told me that sound is 51% of any film. In a good movie or tv show, you can still understand what’s happening when you’re not looking at the screen. But if you mute that same thing (subtitles aside) it’s pretty easy to get lost! So don’t skimp on sound. If you’re just getting started you don’t need to go crazy with sound recording – using headphones (wireless or wired) can help you get some pretty usable sound. But if you’re trying to step up in quality… you’ll need a separate microphone. And Rode Microphones are absolutely the way to go. Rode has products for everyone from the beginner to the movie studio – so whether you’re working with a DSLR camera or your smartphone – you’re gonna need a Rode mic to step up your production.
Two of my favorite Rode Mic options: Rode VideoMic (perfect for working with DSLRs) & the Rode SmartLav (perfect for smartphone work.)
Now go be creative!
Look, at the end of the day, these tools can set you up for success but they are just tools. You’re the raw material. So figure out what story you want to tell and get yourself the tools to tell it properly.
Yale Fried is an LA based producer and director. He is the creator of Crooked History – an original video series from Crooked Media.
Heads up: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.