About Video Strokes

Video Strokes blends best-of-the-web information with our own original material to provide a unique kind of 'web book' of tips, tools, and techniques for making your own videos.  On this site, you will find written articles, video tutorials, example footage, and links to the best websites for those interested in videomaking.

Topics we cover...

Featured Genre

YouTube

YouTube logo

YouTube hosts videos of many different kinds -- most notably material captured from mainstream media, but user-created media is also central to its core. Not only has YouTube launched the next generation of stand-up comics, but also aspiring musicians, sports analysts, and video journalists. Screencasters teach us about using Photoshop. Video game gurus show off their moves. Marketers push their products, and tout a variety of schemes for making money.  ...more »

Techniques

How to Upload and Watch HD on YouTube

YouTube has been going through some changes in recent months that most folks don't know about.  I've written here about how to take advantage of their new high quality, wide screen, 480x320 format.  Most recently, they have taken the HD plunge.  ...more »

Creating a DVD with Windows DVD Maker

Here's a brief overview and tutorial on how to create video DVDs using Windows DVD Maker.  ...more »

Using iMovie on the Mac

There is an excellent series of tutorials that teach you how to use iMovie on the Mac on this site:  ...more »

Custom Format for YouTube High Quality

Is it possible to produce a video that YouTube will publish in its new, high-quality mode? Yes!  ...more »

Using Windows Movie Maker on Vista

This website has some outstanding video tutorials on a wide variety of topics, including video editing software.  ...more »

Using Windows Movie Maker on Windows XP

Microsoft published this video tutorial on Windows Movie Maker 2. Although later versions of Windows Movie Maker added new features, the basic procedures you will learn from this tutorial are the same in any version of Windows Movie Maker on Windows XP.  ...more »

Five Basic Lighting Principles

In this video, Chuck Peters provides a quick overview of five basic lighting principles you can use to improve the quality of your video:  ...more »

Rock-Solid Handheld Technique

You may not always have a tripod or monopod with you, and there may be shots where going handheld is simply the best way to get them. In such situations, you can use your body to steady the camera. Watch this great Videomaker tutorial to learn how.  ...more »

Controlling Camera Movement

Devices to control camera movement, which include tripods, monopods, and stabilizers, can be used for smooth pans, tilts, and moving shots. Other uses include stabilizing and leveling your shots on uneven terrain, shooting from a very high or very low point of view, etc.

One of the first, best things a budding filmmaker can do to improve one's work is to get and learn to use a tripod or monopod.  ...more »

News & Reviews

Equipment

Software

Camtasia 6: Summary and Review

Camtasia StudioOverview

Camtasia is a tool that captures screen contents over time as a video, called a screencast.  The screencast may also display the movement of the mouse cursor, provide visible or audible evidence of when the mouse is clicked and keys are pressed, and other aids and effects the screencast author chooses to employ.   ...more »

Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9

Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9Sony Vegas is usually described as "very powerful," but with a "steep learning curve." Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9, while more powerful than ever, has integrated "Show Me How" tutorials that have significantly improved its usability.  ...more »

Capable, Low-Cost Editors

It's truly remarkable how far you can get with free video editors, like Windows Movie Maker, VideoSpin, and iMovie, but you may find at some point that these editors simply won't produce a video that matches your vision.  ...more »

Editing Software for Vloggers and YouTubers

If you're creating a video blog -- a "vlog" -- your requirements for software editing are probably pretty basic.  For the most part, what you need to do is cut out bad takes and bad moments.  ...more »