Difference between revisions of "Make a Lyric Video for YouTube"
(importing article from wikihow) |
m (Text replacement - "[[Category:Y" to "[[Category: Y") |
||
| (3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
A lyric video displays the lyrics to a song as the music plays. This can be a great way to share the words of a favorite song with friends and the YouTube community. It's easy to make a lyric video with iMovie, Windows Live Movie Maker, and other simple video-editing software. Before you shoot, you'll want to [[Make-a-Lyric-Video-for-YouTube#Designing_the_Video_sub|design your video]]. Once designed, you can begin [[Make-a-Lyric-Video-for-YouTube#Creating_the_Video_sub|creating the video]] itself. After its finished, you can [[Make-a-Lyric-Video-for-YouTube#Uploading_the_Video_sub|upload it to YouTube]]. Once you've made one lyric video, you can apply the same method to make more! | A lyric video displays the lyrics to a song as the music plays. This can be a great way to share the words of a favorite song with friends and the YouTube community. It's easy to make a lyric video with iMovie, Windows Live Movie Maker, and other simple video-editing software. Before you shoot, you'll want to [[Make-a-Lyric-Video-for-YouTube#Designing_the_Video_sub|design your video]]. Once designed, you can begin [[Make-a-Lyric-Video-for-YouTube#Creating_the_Video_sub|creating the video]] itself. After its finished, you can [[Make-a-Lyric-Video-for-YouTube#Uploading_the_Video_sub|upload it to YouTube]]. Once you've made one lyric video, you can apply the same method to make more! | ||
| − | [[Category:YouTube]] | + | [[Category: YouTube]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Designing the Video=== | ===Designing the Video=== | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
#Choose the song. Make sure that the song is saved as an audio file onto your computer. If you don't already own the file, download it from a reputable website or copy it from a CD. Make sure to use a file with decent sound quality. If it sounds static-y, scratchy, or fuzzy, try another copy of the song. | #Choose the song. Make sure that the song is saved as an audio file onto your computer. If you don't already own the file, download it from a reputable website or copy it from a CD. Make sure to use a file with decent sound quality. If it sounds static-y, scratchy, or fuzzy, try another copy of the song. | ||
#* Be wary of downloading any free music. Not only is the artist not getting any money, but that free music file might also come with a free virus or Trojan. | #* Be wary of downloading any free music. Not only is the artist not getting any money, but that free music file might also come with a free virus or Trojan. | ||
| − | #Set the video's aspect ratio to 16:9.<ref>YouTube.com, [https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1722171?hl=en Recommended Upload Encoding Settings]</ref> Your video will still play if you don't have the right aspect ratio, but the proportions will be off, and YouTube will automatically compensate by adding black "filler" bars on either side of the display. Some programs automatically use a YouTube-compatible aspect ratio, and most allow you to adjust the ratio. | + | #Set the video's aspect ratio to 16:9.<ref name="rf1">YouTube.com, [https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1722171?hl=en Recommended Upload Encoding Settings]</ref> Your video will still play if you don't have the right aspect ratio, but the proportions will be off, and YouTube will automatically compensate by adding black "filler" bars on either side of the display. Some programs automatically use a YouTube-compatible aspect ratio, and most allow you to adjust the ratio. |
| − | #*If your video editing program doesn't let you set a YouTube-compatible aspect ratio, try giving your lyric video a black background. This way, the black filler bars will be less noticeable.<ref>YouTube.com, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEFy7ZAYWmY How to Make a Lyric Video Super Easy!]</ref> | + | #*If your video editing program doesn't let you set a YouTube-compatible aspect ratio, try giving your lyric video a black background. This way, the black filler bars will be less noticeable.<ref name="rf2">YouTube.com, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEFy7ZAYWmY How to Make a Lyric Video Super Easy!]</ref> |
#Choose the color scheme of your video. Consider using a solid color for your background so that the text stands out – especially if the song is fast-paced and wordy. Try to use contrasting colors so that the text is easier to read. | #Choose the color scheme of your video. Consider using a solid color for your background so that the text stands out – especially if the song is fast-paced and wordy. Try to use contrasting colors so that the text is easier to read. | ||
#*If you want to use an image as your background, try fading the colors. Alternately, use an image for the title screen, and switch to a solid color once the lyrics start. | #*If you want to use an image as your background, try fading the colors. Alternately, use an image for the title screen, and switch to a solid color once the lyrics start. | ||
#*Consider the song's mood and theme when choosing colors and images. Use darker colors for a sad song, and brighter colors for a happy song. If the song is about loneliness, consider using images that feel lonely, such as empty parks or fields. | #*Consider the song's mood and theme when choosing colors and images. Use darker colors for a sad song, and brighter colors for a happy song. If the song is about loneliness, consider using images that feel lonely, such as empty parks or fields. | ||
| − | #*If your background is black, use white for the text. If your background is mostly blues, consider using a warm color, such as pink, or a contrasting color such as orange. If you want to use light/dark colors for both your text and background, consider outlining the text in a dark/light color.<ref>Shutter Stock, [http://www.shutterstock.com/blog/how-to-make-a-lyric-video-typography-timing-in-cobra-starships-new-video How to Make a Lyric Video: The Creation of Cobra Starship’s Newest Clip]</ref> | + | #*If your background is black, use white for the text. If your background is mostly blues, consider using a warm color, such as pink, or a contrasting color such as orange. If you want to use light/dark colors for both your text and background, consider outlining the text in a dark/light color.<ref name="rf3">Shutter Stock, [http://www.shutterstock.com/blog/how-to-make-a-lyric-video-typography-timing-in-cobra-starships-new-video How to Make a Lyric Video: The Creation of Cobra Starship’s Newest Clip]</ref> |
| − | #Use a readable font style and size. You want the words to be easy to read. If your text is too fancy or too small, your viewers might not be able to read the lyrics. Try using a simple font like Ariel or Calibri. Use a large font size so that the words fill the screen. <ref | + | #Use a readable font style and size. You want the words to be easy to read. If your text is too fancy or too small, your viewers might not be able to read the lyrics. Try using a simple font like Ariel or Calibri. Use a large font size so that the words fill the screen. <ref name="rf3" /> |
#*Stay away from very thin font styles, as well as those with close-knit kerning. This will make them more difficult to read. | #*Stay away from very thin font styles, as well as those with close-knit kerning. This will make them more difficult to read. | ||
#*Don't be afraid to change your font style throughout the video to reflect the mood of certain parts – but don't go too wild. For the sake of consistency, try to stick to 1-3 fonts: vary the size as needed, or pick a bold font, a plain font, and a fancier font. | #*Don't be afraid to change your font style throughout the video to reflect the mood of certain parts – but don't go too wild. For the sake of consistency, try to stick to 1-3 fonts: vary the size as needed, or pick a bold font, a plain font, and a fancier font. | ||
| Line 26: | Line 26: | ||
==== Using iMovie ==== | ==== Using iMovie ==== | ||
# Open iMovie and begin setting up your movie. Once you have opened iMovie, you can set up your movie by clicking on "File" and then selecting "New Event" from the drop-down menu. Name your event whatever you want, such as a variation of the song title. This is where you will be importing the song and background image that you'll be using in your video. | # Open iMovie and begin setting up your movie. Once you have opened iMovie, you can set up your movie by clicking on "File" and then selecting "New Event" from the drop-down menu. Name your event whatever you want, such as a variation of the song title. This is where you will be importing the song and background image that you'll be using in your video. | ||
| − | # Import your song and background. Click on "File" again and select "Import Media" from the drop-down menu. A new window will pop up. From here, click on the song you want to use for your video, and the image you want for your background. Once you have everything you want selected, click on "Import." Your song and image should now be in your Event. You are now ready to start creating your video!<ref>http://www.macworld.com/article/2066991/constructing-an-imovie-project.html</ref> | + | # Import your song and background. Click on "File" again and select "Import Media" from the drop-down menu. A new window will pop up. From here, click on the song you want to use for your video, and the image you want for your background. Once you have everything you want selected, click on "Import." Your song and image should now be in your Event. You are now ready to start creating your video!<ref name="rf4">http://www.macworld.com/article/2066991/constructing-an-imovie-project.html</ref> |
# Create your video. You can start creating a new video by going to the top of the window and clicking on "Create." Choose "Movie" for the project type, and "No Template" for the template. Make sure that the video is being saved in your Event. | # Create your video. You can start creating a new video by going to the top of the window and clicking on "Create." Choose "Movie" for the project type, and "No Template" for the template. Make sure that the video is being saved in your Event. | ||
#* You will also be asked to name the video. You can choose whatever name you want, but some variation of the song title might help you find the video later on. | #* You will also be asked to name the video. You can choose whatever name you want, but some variation of the song title might help you find the video later on. | ||
| − | # Move the background image to the project pane. You can do this by clicking on the image and dragging it over to the project pane. It will be automatically set to 4 seconds, so you will need to extend the length.<ref>http://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-create-a-movie-from-start-to-finish-with-imovie--mac-59638</ref> | + | # Move the background image to the project pane. You can do this by clicking on the image and dragging it over to the project pane. It will be automatically set to 4 seconds, so you will need to extend the length.<ref name="rf5">http://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-create-a-movie-from-start-to-finish-with-imovie--mac-59638</ref> |
# Adjust the duration of the background image. In order to do this, go back to your project pane and click on the image. At the top of the window, click "Adjust," and then "Clip Information." This will allow you to change the duration of the background from 4 seconds to however long the song is – or however long you want your final video to be. | # Adjust the duration of the background image. In order to do this, go back to your project pane and click on the image. At the top of the window, click "Adjust," and then "Clip Information." This will allow you to change the duration of the background from 4 seconds to however long the song is – or however long you want your final video to be. | ||
#* If you don't do this, the background will appear only for 4 seconds, and then disappear. | #* If you don't do this, the background will appear only for 4 seconds, and then disappear. | ||
#* Do not leave the adjustment window just yet! | #* Do not leave the adjustment window just yet! | ||
| − | #Remove the automatic pan-and-zoom effect. When you add a background image to an iMovie project, the program will automatically apply a panning-and-zooming motion to the picture. If you like this effect, feel free to leave it – but make sure that you at least know how to get rid of it. In the adjustment window, click "Crop," and then select "Fit." This will clear away any unwanted image motion.<ref>https://www.ischool.utexas.edu/technology/tutorials/graphics/imovie/1create.html</ref> | + | #Remove the automatic pan-and-zoom effect. When you add a background image to an iMovie project, the program will automatically apply a panning-and-zooming motion to the picture. If you like this effect, feel free to leave it – but make sure that you at least know how to get rid of it. In the adjustment window, click "Crop," and then select "Fit." This will clear away any unwanted image motion.<ref name="rf6">https://www.ischool.utexas.edu/technology/tutorials/graphics/imovie/1create.html</ref> |
# Place your song. First, open the Event Browser. Double-click your song, and drag it to the bottom of the project pane. If you want the song to start right away, place it all the way to the left. If you do not want it to start right away, then leave a bit of space in the beginning. | # Place your song. First, open the Event Browser. Double-click your song, and drag it to the bottom of the project pane. If you want the song to start right away, place it all the way to the left. If you do not want it to start right away, then leave a bit of space in the beginning. | ||
#*If you have a "title page," for instance, you might want the viewer to have a chance to read the name of the song and the band before the music begins. | #*If you have a "title page," for instance, you might want the viewer to have a chance to read the name of the song and the band before the music begins. | ||
| Line 43: | Line 43: | ||
# Play entire song and adjust where necessary. Once the song is complete and you have typed out all of the lyrics, press Play and watch your video. You may find that you have to adjust the timing of the lyrics. If this happens, simply click on the title you want to adjust, and drag it left or right. | # Play entire song and adjust where necessary. Once the song is complete and you have typed out all of the lyrics, press Play and watch your video. You may find that you have to adjust the timing of the lyrics. If this happens, simply click on the title you want to adjust, and drag it left or right. | ||
# Save your video and export it. Once you are satisfied with your video, click "Share," and select "File" from the drop-down menu. You will be asked to name your file and choose a location for it to be saved in. Type in a name for your video and choose a location that you will remember (you will need to access this location later when you are uploading your video to YouTube) then click on "Save." | # Save your video and export it. Once you are satisfied with your video, click "Share," and select "File" from the drop-down menu. You will be asked to name your file and choose a location for it to be saved in. Type in a name for your video and choose a location that you will remember (you will need to access this location later when you are uploading your video to YouTube) then click on "Save." | ||
| − | #*Make sure to use a YouTube-compatible file type: 3GPP, AVI, .FLV, .MOV, MP4, .MPEG4, .MPEGPS, WebM, or .WMV.<ref>https://support.google.com/youtube/troubleshooter/2888402?hl=en</ref> | + | #*Make sure to use a YouTube-compatible file type: 3GPP, AVI, .FLV, .MOV, MP4, .MPEG4, .MPEGPS, WebM, or .WMV.<ref name="rf7">https://support.google.com/youtube/troubleshooter/2888402?hl=en</ref> |
==== Using Windows Live Movie Maker ==== | ==== Using Windows Live Movie Maker ==== | ||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
# Add a background. To add a background to your video, click on the Home tab, and select the button that says "Add videos and photos." Go to the folder where you keep your images and select the one you want. Your player on the left will now contain the background you chose, and the storyboard on the right will contain a thumbnail version of the background. | # Add a background. To add a background to your video, click on the Home tab, and select the button that says "Add videos and photos." Go to the folder where you keep your images and select the one you want. Your player on the left will now contain the background you chose, and the storyboard on the right will contain a thumbnail version of the background. | ||
# Fit the background to the music. You want your background to last throughout the video, and there are two ways you can achieve this: you can either do it manually by copy-pasting the image or you can let the program do it automatically for you. If one way doesn't work, try the other one. | # Fit the background to the music. You want your background to last throughout the video, and there are two ways you can achieve this: you can either do it manually by copy-pasting the image or you can let the program do it automatically for you. If one way doesn't work, try the other one. | ||
| − | #* You can copy-paste the thumbnail image all the way to the right side of the screen, then select the whole line, and copy-paste it several times. This should be enough to cover the whole song.<ref>Windows Tutorials, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRCDSAaOAJM How to Make a Lyric Video Using Windows Movie Maker]</ref> | + | #* You can copy-paste the thumbnail image all the way to the right side of the screen, then select the whole line, and copy-paste it several times. This should be enough to cover the whole song.<ref name="rf8">Windows Tutorials, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRCDSAaOAJM How to Make a Lyric Video Using Windows Movie Maker]</ref> |
| − | #* You can also add your song first, and then select the "Project" tab, and click on "Fit to Music." This will cause your background to stretch from the beginning all the way to the end.<ref>YouTube.com, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nNlXLHxjzI Windows Live Movie Maker 2011: Fit Images to Music to serve as video]</ref> | + | #* You can also add your song first, and then select the "Project" tab, and click on "Fit to Music." This will cause your background to stretch from the beginning all the way to the end.<ref name="rf9">YouTube.com, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nNlXLHxjzI Windows Live Movie Maker 2011: Fit Images to Music to serve as video]</ref> |
# Add the music. To add music to your video, click on the Home tab, and select the button that says "Add Music." A new window will pop up. Select the song you want from the list. Once you have added your song, you should see a green bar right above the background thumbnails. | # Add the music. To add music to your video, click on the Home tab, and select the button that says "Add Music." A new window will pop up. Select the song you want from the list. Once you have added your song, you should see a green bar right above the background thumbnails. | ||
#* If you do not see your song in the pop-up, go to the folder where you keep your music, and select it from there. | #* If you do not see your song in the pop-up, go to the folder where you keep your music, and select it from there. | ||
| − | # Delete the extra images, or add more if necessary. If you extended the background manually, the green song bar may stop before the background thumbnails do, or it may extend past the thumbnails. If this happens, you may need to extend the background, or shorten it.<ref | + | # Delete the extra images, or add more if necessary. If you extended the background manually, the green song bar may stop before the background thumbnails do, or it may extend past the thumbnails. If this happens, you may need to extend the background, or shorten it.<ref name="rf8" /> |
#* If the green bar stops before the last thumbnail, your background is longer than your song. Look to see where the green bar stops, and delete any backgrounds after it. | #* If the green bar stops before the last thumbnail, your background is longer than your song. Look to see where the green bar stops, and delete any backgrounds after it. | ||
#* If the green bar extends past the green bar, your background is not long enough. You will need to copy-paste the background thumbnails until the green bar no longer extends past it. | #* If the green bar extends past the green bar, your background is not long enough. You will need to copy-paste the background thumbnails until the green bar no longer extends past it. | ||
| Line 65: | Line 65: | ||
===Uploading the Video=== | ===Uploading the Video=== | ||
#Upload the video to YouTube. Open [https://www.youtube.com/ https://www.youtube.com/]. If you are already signed into your account, click "Upload" in the upper right-hand corner. Drag the video file into the "Upload" box in the center of the next screen, and your lyric video will automatically upload. | #Upload the video to YouTube. Open [https://www.youtube.com/ https://www.youtube.com/]. If you are already signed into your account, click "Upload" in the upper right-hand corner. Drag the video file into the "Upload" box in the center of the next screen, and your lyric video will automatically upload. | ||
| − | #*If you don't have an account yet, click the red "Create an Account" button in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Follow the instructions to [[Make a YouTube Account|create a YouTube account]].<ref>YouTube, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_y7rrfftbk How to Make a YouTube Account - 2015]</ref> | + | #*If you don't have an account yet, click the red "Create an Account" button in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Follow the instructions to [[Make a YouTube Account|create a YouTube account]].<ref name="rf10">YouTube, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_y7rrfftbk How to Make a YouTube Account - 2015]</ref> |
#*If you want anyone to be able to watch your lyric video, make sure that the "Public" option is selected, rather than "Private" or "Unlisted." Choose "Public" from the drop-down menu directly beneath the large grey arrow. | #*If you want anyone to be able to watch your lyric video, make sure that the "Public" option is selected, rather than "Private" or "Unlisted." Choose "Public" from the drop-down menu directly beneath the large grey arrow. | ||
#Publish your video. When you upload your video to YouTube, you will be asked to add a description, title, and tags. Fill out all three options before publishing your video. Once you have chosen a name and description for your video, and added some tags: click on "Publish." | #Publish your video. When you upload your video to YouTube, you will be asked to add a description, title, and tags. Fill out all three options before publishing your video. Once you have chosen a name and description for your video, and added some tags: click on "Publish." | ||
