I spent the last several days loading up the Panorama video project and using the clips that didn’t make it into the first video, created another one.
I’ve been using Davinci Resolve for around two years now. The last project I made with my previous editor Cyberlink PowerDirector 17 was the Oahu Selfie video. PowerDirector was decent, but Davinci Resolve is much more powerful, fast, and has a more instructional videos on YouTube. My first video on Davinci Resolve was Kids Biking.
I’m also someone who likes taking videos (and previously photos) and always think back to what I consider my first travel video, the one with Shannon when we went to Europe for the first time back in 2008. I think I used Windows Movie Maker for that one, but I’m not sure.
For me, the video making process has been a way to extend my vacations and holidays. The Panorama video for instance, I had an idea for it since autumn of last year when I heard the In The End (Meelen Gi & Tommee Profitt Remix). I couldn’t wait to get ski footage for the song even though in the end I went with a different soundtrack.
Before going to Panorama, I looked up a bunch of ski video and brainstormed different shots to take. In the past, I’ve taken the GoPro out but you’ll notice that most home skiing videos that aren’t planned are just plain boring.
After the trip, I spent about a week working on the first Panorama video and now the last couple of days on the second one. So it seemed our trip was much longer than the actual 4 days it took.
Our family regularly loads up old videos to remind ourselves what the beans use to be like and reminisce. Photos are good, but really they are too much effort to look through nowadays. You actually have to load them up and deliberately scan through them on a computer. With YouTube, and even a Plex server running videos off a computer, we’d enjoy videos clips of the family on TV, as well as the more elaborate music videos that we’ve put together.
I’ve been trying to do be a little more deliberate and try different things with each successive video lately. Here’s a brief overview in reverse chronologic order:
- The latest video Panorama Pt 2 involved more transitions, including two object wipes. Other new techniques is ramping Output Blanking, and a lens flare.
- Panorama Pt1 was primarily a slow motion video, a new theme for me.
- BC Road Trip involved old style and vintage effects, like Super8 film and VHS.
- Boat Shopping is where I tried telling a story over successive clips spanning time and location, as well as screen capture and fusion animations to illustrate ideas.
- Christmas 2020 involved learning how to code a count up clock, and particle animations to make the title with the snowflakes falling.
- Of course this past COVID year, we’ve put together several music videos with multiple cameras. This not only involved video, but learning Ableton Live as well to mix the music tracks together. Lost in the Woods the first, and now looking back relatively easy. Perfect Day involved several music tracks and camera angles, in addition to the animations, plus getting Piggy to perform!
- Our sailing Grenadines and St. Lucia videos incorporated drone footage, as well as some better camera tracking to put 3D letters on the water.
- Like a G6 was quite fun, and I tried to emulate the effects used in the original music video.
- Guys Trip 2019 was where I didn’t take any videos at all, which is unusual for me. Instead, I used all of the material from friends to put together a video, along with my first attempt a camera tracking for the opening title.
It’s been well worthwhile, and I really quite enjoy video making and improving my skills and knowledge using Davinci Resolve. It does suck up quite a lot of time, but I feel it is a really good investment not only learning how to use the software, but also in preserving memories, especially now when we are a “young family.”
