Beginner Smartphone Movie Skills

I wanted to share this portrait and mini movie because I hope they might inspire you to create your own short video even if you only have still photographs. Potentially, your still photos could be used to make an adoption movie for a rescue, a sponsored post, or a short memorial video for a cat friend.

• Many small rescues need people with basic photography and video skills. Video is getting a lot of social media attention. Even a short video can give potential adopters insights into a cat’s personality and character and you do not need to learn difficult skills.

Let me share the fantastic photo of Toulouse high up in a cabbage tree and then show you the short movie made using static images. In this picture, I am using my canon 55-250mm zoom lens, this is why Toulouse looks so close. My iPhone would have been perfect for video but I only had time to lift the camera to frame the shot and snatch the moment. Then he went down the tree like a pocket rocket.

I tell you how I created my short video of Toulouse at the bottom of this post.

Still Photographs Can Be Made Into A Movie

Even with still photographs you are telling a story, so your first task is to sort your images into an order that does this. Keep your story simple.

What do you have available? Work with that as a challenge and learn to be creative as you go. If you have gaps you can’t fill, add short text prompts to provide essential information. Keep transistions between images to a minimum.

• A cat up for adoption might use photographs showing its fur colours and face. Maybe add playful shots showing its fun side. A senior cat might look dignified or stately.
• A memorial tribute would work at a more dignified slower pace with longer shots.

For my own movie; the story is Toulouse’s rapid scampering 4.25 metres (14 feet) descent from the cabbage tree so the video clips are short. In fact some are under 2 seconds so I can keep keep the pace moving. 3 seconds is a good length to aim for while you learn to edit.

I loaded my own still photographs into iMovie and using the Ken Burns* effect for movement. Listed below are some of the software packages use the Ken Burns effect and there are others. This effect is great to help you simulate movement. Your viewer’s eye is led though the photo and it ‘feels’ like a movie.

• iMovie (Free/Mac)
• Microsoft Photos (Free/Windows)
• VSDC Free Video Editor (Free/Windows)
• Final Cut Pro – Premium (Apple/Paid)
• Adobe Premiere Pro – Premium (Windows/Mac/Paid)

Let me know what do you think of Toulouse’s adventure?

* Ken Burns Effect The technique is principally used when film or video material is not available. Action is given to still photographs by slowly zooming in on subjects of interest and panning from one subject to another. For example, in a photograph of a baseball team, one might slowly pan across the faces of the players and come to a rest on the player the narrator is discussing. Wikipedia

Other Posts To Enjoy:

• How To Make the Perfect Cat Movie
• A Tabby Cat Portrait Of Toulouse

Dash Kitten has been using video for a long time now and even hosted a video challenge for readers way back in 2017 and I know that my video posts are as essential now for short form videos on Instagram and TikTok now as they were when the posts went live.

I have gathered my top four posts, including a Cat Writers’ Association winner, so that you can choose which one might be useful for a video you can create right now. No matter how small your video might be.

Do I Have To Make Videos?

First let me say something.

I know many of my readers find movie making intimidating or frustrating. Remember though video takes many forms, and you don’t have to stand in front of the camera if you don’t want to. Everything from an instant Magic iPhone Movie to a planned promo video (see the end of this post) counts.

• You don’t have to spend a lot of time creating video either, but it is really good to know you have the skills to call on when you want to capture a special moment with your smartphone.

Think about the kind of things you can do with just a smartphone video camera:

1. The simplest, cutest look your cat gives you over its shoulder.
2. Crazy zoomies down the hallway with bonus points for knocking over the lampstand.
3. Record an event, trim the clips and upload quickly so friends and family can share a cute cat moment.
4. Film a product review of a cat toy or water fountain. Show the product, how it works. I showcase a product video at the bottom of this post.
5. Video outside a window. Our friend Brian showcases his feral community with heartwarming footage.
6. Create a video showcasing your local rescue. These are often small organisations so insights to the dedication of volunteers is priceless. Seniors, kittens and closeups of volunteer hands at work will melt hearts.
7. Make a crafty how to. Check out our friend Bionic Basil for amazingly creative projects like this astonishing cat tree makeover.
8. A tutorial how to using photos, video clips. The overlay video here is a quick and positive how-to with music.
   

Beginner Smartphone Movie How-To

Frustrated and no idea where to start? This post will get you creating with confidence, so grab your ‘phone and let’s go.

The Perfect Cat Movie

This post link has everything you need to make your own great smartphone movie and it works for dogs too.

How To Create Rescue and Adoption Videos

Valuable tips specifically for rescues and adoptions can be found in this Cat Writers’ Award winning post.

A cat winning its first trophy at a show or a proud family graduation video, these are as important and valid as any work done by a big influencer. Try creating a video, maybe share it only when you feel confident but give it a try – today.

As always if you need extra help, you can email me.