Last week I got a brief that was basically a mood with no direction. I ended up asking for 2-3 reference videos and what they liked about each. It saved me from a long revision loop. What questions do you ask before you start editing when the brief is vague?

Hi everyone,

I'm researching how creators find footage for their videos, especially

narration-style channels that use stock clips or B-roll. I'd love to

hear how you actually do it.

A few questions, answer whichever you like:

1. How do you find footage for a typical video? (Which sites or tools?)

2. Roughly how long does that take you per video?

3. What's the most frustrating part of it?

4. Do you pay for any stock footage subscription or tool? If so, which

   one, and is it worth it?

5. Have you tried anything to speed it up (AI tools, templates, an

   editor)? What happened?

For context: I'm exploring an idea for a tool in this area, but I'm not

selling anything and I'm not linking to anything. I just want to

understand the real workflow before building anything, so honest

answers, including "it's not a problem for me," are really useful.

Thanks! I'll reply to everyone and share a summary of what I learn.

Recently I made a demo showing a social media tool that had my Instagram user name in the corner, a guy actually hit me up on Instagram saying you should probably fix this, so I had to take the video down, was a whole conundrum.

That obviously got me thinking what if I can just import my video into a software choose the text that I want to blur and have it blurred throughout the entire video. So I’ve been working the past couple months to build just that. I am pretty stoked about the software in general since it works seamlessly and I have stress tested it, eg scrolling up and down very fast and changing pages. It really works.

If anyone wants to try for free, I am going to attaching a link to the site and the a code for the first 3 months free (cancel anytime obviously) but I am genuinely looking for finding my audience. Many thanks if you took the time to read this!

Link; CyanFocus.com
Free code - 1E6KMOHM1Q

Genuine question from someone working in video production.
A 30-second reel might involve planning, lighting, camera equipment, shooting, editing, colour grading and revisions.
But sometimes the budget sounds like we’re just pressing a record button.
Creators and videographers, what’s a fair price for a professionally shot and edited reel in India?
And what should that price actually include?

Hi!

I think ive learned quite enought to try and get my frist gig but i dint know which niche should i work with, uk to get the hang of the workflow

Pls share your thoughts🙏

I'm looking to get into content creation (mostly YT shorts, IG) and would love to hear how some of you got started. Did you just jump in, take a course, or learn by trial and error? Also would love to hear any "I wish I'd known this sooner" moments .

Sidenote, I'd appreciate recommendations on:

Recording device: would a phone and gimble suffice for just starting out?

Editing tools: what you use for video and photo (free or paid), and what's actually worth learning first

Gear: what's essential at the start versus what can wait

Learning resources: YouTube channels, courses, or communities that helped you learn

Lastly, is anyone open to shooting together, learning side by side, or doing a skill exchange?

I'm happy to trade what I know for help with filming, editing, or planning content. Collaborating feels like a better way to learn than figuring it solo.

Thanks in advance!

Working on what i think is a really cool series, not going into too much detail, but wow each episode take me about 4-6hrs to record and edit, today i had to take a nap in between the recording and editing haha!

https://nofilmschool.com/boris-fx-acquires-vegas-pro

I have a finished script sitting in a google doc and i cannot find a tool that will take it as a script rather than make me chop it into prompts. Everything i tried so far wants one line at a time, Runway and Kling both make a lovely single shot and neither has any idea what happened in the shot before. The ones that do take a whole script seem to be video production studios such as Argil or HeyGen but i haven’t tested any yet and i’m looking for feedback first before i commit.

Has anyone found something that reads a full script and keeps track across it? would really appreciate sharing your experience with what worked for you and spare me the extra dollars and time i would waste

I'm a support worker for a blind/hearing impaired man who recently asked me to help him make a YouTube video about a vintage guitar he purchased. We uploaded the video last night and he is now interested in making more content as he had lots of fun doing it. I'd like to make sure I'm doing a good job for him and so I'm hoping to get some feedback about the edit/colour grade that I can implement for his future videos. I'll leave the link below, thanks in advance for sharing any thoughts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi76YnMy4Is&t=16s

I was contracted to film an 8hr conference. Scope of work consisted of shooting the 8hr time slot, photos and a highlight video. Contract was made by the company with agreement of $X/hr compensation. Agreement also included release of raw photo and video. Within the contract was a “no obligation of production” clause that states company will not be obligated to produce or release the Film,
or to use the results of Contractor’s services. Upon delivery of finals, company was not satisfied with the work after numerous revisions and poor communication management of deadlines between their CD & Proj. Mgr on their side and demanded a reduction in compensation. I went with the reduced compensation to avoid a long negotiation & I need the money ASAP. Just for my future reference, does the “no obligation to production” clause not imply that since they acknowledge they dont have to use my finals, they cannot request a change in compensation due to unsatisfaction of the finals?

I’m creating video’s for a team and I want to pitch some new ideas to the media and marketing team of the club.

Is there any type of video you really want to see from your favourite team? Behind the scenes before and after a game, compilations, fan focused video, short docu style or larger docu style? Do you want to follow a day in the life of a player? A day of a fan? Want to see some players from a different angle (personal life, diff hobbies and passions, …) or do you not care? Influencer visiting the training grounds? Players interacting with youth teams? What kind of video’s are you enjoying most?

Anything might help!

I’m trying to make a tool but I really don’t know if the fact it finds mixed media matters,mixed media as in stuff that isn’t stock footage such as memes and clips that help illustrate what’s being said,I thought itd be a differentiator if it could take in your script and then find mixed media for each scene but I’m starting to have doubts .

When I add subtitles to an edit, I check them while watching at normal speed rather than judging each caption as a still frame. A line can fit neatly on screen but appear too briefly to read, especially when the shot changes at the same moment.

I adjust the in and out points while watching the sequence, then replay it without pausing. If I keep missing a phrase, I shorten the wording only when that preserves what was said; otherwise I give the caption more time or split it at a natural pause. That check helps me catch timing problems that are easy to miss while editing frame by frame.

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie at Instagram and Reels, and want to start recording some.

I often see reels of people scrolling through a website and them as a talking head commenting on that. How do I that?

Do I have to record myself separately and then edit it in Capcut? Do I need to use OBS?

Thanks!

My teacher asked us to make videos about a topic related to social media, and I chose grooming. My idea was to make an analog horror video, but the problem is I don't know what apps or programs I can use to make a video like that, and I have to hand it in on Friday.

If somebody wants to give me some tips I would appreciate it.

(Srry for bad english, its not my first language)

I was wondering if anyone had advice on what to charge if a couple whose wedding you filmed contacted you for a documentary edit later on?

I originally just did a highlight film which is what they paid for.

It would essentially be the entire wedding day start to finish on a timeline synced up with all the important moments, (first look, ceremony, speeches, etc) I still have all the footage so that won’t be an issue.

Would you charge $750? $1000? More? CAD) a % of what they originally paid?

They paid around $2100 CAD for their highlight film and a full day of filming, I charged that because I had less experience at the time.

I would love to know your thoughts

Thank you!

Hi everyone, I am new to real estate content creation, I will be videographer and editor.

I see a lot of modern content with help of AI (I guess), speed ramping and cool effects. I have offered free shots to start with.

Is there a course where I can learn these skills?

I will be videographer and editor, I can outsource editing but I deeply want to do by own.

When I’m editing an interview, I arrange the useful answers in a rough cut before spending time on music, transitions, or detailed cleanup. Moving a few complete thoughts around helps me see whether the explanation makes sense without relying on visuals.

I keep the selects loose at first, especially at the start and end of each answer. If the sequence only makes sense once I add narration or a title, I check whether context is missing or the order is confusing.

It’s less polished, but changing the story at that stage is easier than doing it after I’ve refined every cut.

I’m launching my own digital-first studio and am in the process of developing my first short-form video series.

The series would involve travel to interview/profile people all over the country (ideally) and it would be project based.

I’d be the director/producer/host of the series, but I need someone to actually hold the camera, capture the interview footage and b-roll, and make sure the audio is good. I would be doing the actual editing and producing

How much would you charge for this kind of work? Wondering if it’s better to have one or two freelancers I travel with, or better to try and find a videographer in each city I visit.

When I edit a scene recorded across several takes, I listen to the gaps between lines as well as the lines themselves. Room tone can shift with mic position, recorder gain, or background activity, so a cut that looks smooth may still sound like the room suddenly changed.

I find it useful to play the scene once without looking at the screen. If the background hiss or hum jumps at a cut, I check whether a short bit of room tone from the same setup can bridge it, rather than adding the same noise everywhere. I keep the ambience low enough that it doesn’t draw attention, then listen again on headphones and speakers.

It’s a small check, but it can help make separate takes feel like one continuous space.

When I’m cutting dialogue, I try not to remove every pause. A breath or a beat before a reply can make an exchange feel like two people listening, rather than one line snapping straight into the next.

I tighten obvious dead air first, then watch the scene without touching the timeline. If a pause feels tense, thoughtful, or natural, I leave it. If it pulls attention away from the point, I trim it.

Tighter cuts can help a scene move, but removing every gap can make it feel hurried. I find it more useful to judge the rhythm with picture and sound together than to cut based on empty space in the waveform alone.

Hi everyone! 👋 I’m looking for recommendations for someone in Dallas who could film a talk and take a few photos at a small business conference near the Dallas Market Center.

📅 Thursday, November 5: about 2 hours of filming, with arrival around 8:45 AM to set up.

Here’s what we need:

• 9:15–10:15 AM: Record the full talk from start to finish, with a few close-ups and a wide shot from the back of the room
• About 1 hour afterward: Capture casual clips and photos of our team interacting with clients, plus general event footage
• Deliverables: The full talk recording, 10–15 mainly vertical clips for social media, and some photos, all as raw files with no editing needed

A camera or a good smartphone would work. Clear audio during the talk is important; having a microphone would be a plus, but it’s optional.

Students and newer creators are welcome, as long as they’re comfortable filming and available that morning!

Does anyone have someone they’d recommend for this project? Please share their portfolio or profile in the comments, or send me a DM.

Thanks so much for your recommendations!

Hey everyone, I’m pretty new to swimming coverage and trying to understand how to set up three PTZ cameras for an indoor meet. If you had three cameras to work with, where would you place them, and what would each one cover?

Hey everyone, I’m a beginner interested in filming and editing cars and motorcycles. This video is the kind of work I’d love to build towards https://youtu.be/soWfgUZoE\\_8 its from harnett media on youtube.

I know getting to this level takes a lot of time and effort, but I’m struggling to figure out where to start. There are so many tutorials on YouTube that, without knowing the terminology or recognising whats involved, I don’t really know what to search for.

If you were starting from scratch with this as your inspiration:

\- Which skills would you learn first, and in what order?

\- What specific tutorials, channels or search terms would help?

\- What simple filming or editing exercises would you practise to start developing those skills?

I’m keen to put the work in, just looking for some direction. Thanks in advance!