Wayne D's Blog

This post is a departure from my normal blog post subject matter, See the end for details.

It's the 21st century and sending the classical Christmas or holiday letter is passe. Impress your family and friends by creating a Holiday video this year and uploading it to Youtube.com. All you need is a video camera, you can use your cellphone, your laptop webcam, or your video camera. Follow these simple instructions and soon you'll be producing, directing and starring in the most unique holiday greeting your holiday card list will receive this year. Depending on how effort you want to put into your holiday epic you can have it shot, edited and ready for viewing in as little as one hour. No special skills or equipment is required as long as you are enthusiastic.

Step 1: Getting ready, picking a location and writing a script

Before you shoot your video it's important that you prepare properly. The difference between a good video and a boringly bad video is in the preparation.

1. Find a uncluttered place to shoot your video. It can be either inside or outside but you want a location that doesn't have too much to distract the videos viewers from your script. This doesn't mean you can't add some festive spirit to your room, a poinsettia or some holiday decorations will add a festive touch.

2. Make sure your location is well lit. If you are inside use as much light as practical, bring in extra lights from other rooms if you can. The cheaper the camera the more light you need.

3. Write down what you are going to say. Don't be tempted to skip this step or you will regret it, when you realize the one thing you really wanted to say was forgotten. Don't just read what you have written on camera, you should read through your message out loud a few times before you shoot your video so you are comfortable doing it on camera.

Step 2: Getting set up

Almost ready to go.

1. If you don't have a [[tripod]] use duct tape or masking tape to secure your webcam or phone camera at eye level, this is not the time to make a long arm video. Chair backs make good makeshift tripods as do step ladders.
2. Make sure camera is aimed properly.
3. Put on some nice clothes and comb your hair, gather any family member who are going to be in the video with you.
4. Get everyone in place, turn on your lights and start the camera.

Step 3: Shooting the video

1. Relax, smile and deliver your message.
2. Do it again, that's right, after you are done for the first time repeat your message a second time. If you don't want to have to edit the video later stop the camera and restart it so that each attempt is in a separate file. After the first try you will be more comfortable and relaxed. Repeat as many times as necessary until you feel that it went well.
3. After you feel happy with the results do it one more time. You won't feel pressured to get it right and you are likely to get your best result.

Step 4: Upload and share your video

1. Watch your video message and pick which attempt you like the best.
2. Log into your Youtube account and upload the version of message that you like the best. Check the related Mahalo pages for detailed instructions on uploading to Youtube. Decide whether you want your video to be public or private and set your video permissions appropriately.
3. When Youtube has finished processing your video email your Youtube video link to your friends and family.

Don't forget

The cheaper the camera the more light you need.

Choose an uncluttered location to shoot your video

Write down what you want to say before you start

Keep it short 2-5 minutes maximum

Record your message multiple times so you can pick the best version

Relax, smile and speak slowly

How this post came to be

This post was originally written for Mahalo for a page entitled How to Send a Youtube Holiday Video Greeting. I misinterpreted the task and wrote this piece instead of what Mahalo expected, a page on how to use Youtube Greeting Cards, which aren't active yet. I submitted the completed page and it was rejected because I hadn't used any references which are required as part of the new Mahalo quality standards. I appealed the rejection on the grounds that I had the requisite experience to fly reference free. My appeal was unsuccessful so I decided to use the work as a blog post instead.