In a week and a half, I leave on the annual Missions Trip to the Philippines.  It is always a highlight of my year.  I have the privilege to document the work being done by our missionaries. Every year I take thousands of photos and hours of video.  I post pictures and a description of the days events online every night. (view photos and videos of previous years) Usually, when we return, I have about 2 weeks to complete a 10 minute video.  The way the dates fall this year, I will only have about 3 days before the conference begins and about 5 days before we show the video.  This has prompted me to find ways to create a professional video quickly and to create much of the video before I leave.

I recently found Animoto.com.  They have a very simple service.  You upload pictures or short video clips (or use theirs).  Arrange the pictures and add text.  Then choose a song (or upload your own).  It creates a very professional looking video in minutes.  Check out the short video clip I created in a couple of minutes using their stock video, a couple of my photos and some of my music. Of course, I would have to create much more than this, but this gives you an idea of what can be done quickly.

I think this could be a great help to churches that want to create first class videos/slideshows but don’t have a lot of time to do it.

UPDATE:

Here are 2 videos I create using Animoto, Motion and Final Cut Pro. Can you tell what pieces were done in Animoto?

Disclaimer: If you use the animoto link, you get $5 off and I get a month of free service. I was going to write about this before I knew about the referral program. I love Animoto, and if I could get a month free, I would love it even more.