Animoto for Low Tech Video Production August 21, 2009

Animoto is a free (a paid version is also available) video production tool that uses photo's rather than video clips.  Production of the final show is automated and you can even choose to use a variety of stock music that they make available.

In a later blog post, I'll be posting a video using Animoto and a short "how to" post although the software is pretty self explanatory. 

Even if you are good at making videos, using Animoto can give you a quick way to add additional videos to your YouTube channel for more exposure. 

Like all fully automated software, however, Animoto has some significant drawbacks.  Most importantly, it doesn't allow for voice over on the finished product.  Voice is generaly essential to good distribution on YouTube but Animoto can help get a video out quickly as a fill-in until you have time to do regular video from clips.

Animoto works especially well for some product demonstrations, real estate agents, and event announcement videos to give them an emotional impact without alot of talking head time.

If you haven't looked at this software before, go check it out and try a couple of videos in their free service - you might be surprised at how well the video turns out.

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