Publishers of technology books, eBooks, and videos for creative people

Home > Articles > Digital Photography

This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

Making Stuff

By now, you should have the idea that the Flip camcorders are all about "quick and dirty." Though you can do wonderful things with these tiny cameras, their strength is their immediacy, and that immediacy is reflected in FlipShare's limited movie editing capabilities. If you need something done fast and without a lot of flash—be it movie, still picture, or DVD—you'll find it easy to do by clicking the Movie, Snapshot, or DVD button below the Create heading.

Making a movie

Making movies with FlipShare is largely a two-step process. First, you trim your clips; then you piece them together. I walk you through that process in the following sections.

Trimming clips

Earlier in the chapter, I mention the Trim Video button—the scissors icon that leads to the Trim window. Now's the time to put it to work:

  1. Choose a folder of clips, select a clip within that folder, and choose either Thumbnail or Large view.

    When you do, you'll see the Trim Video button at the end of the timeline (Figure 4.6).

    Figure 4.6

    Figure 4.6 Open the Trim window by clicking the Trim Video button in this window.

  2. Click the Trim Video button.

    The Trim window appears, displaying your video; a timeline; video start-point and end-point controls; and Cancel, Save As, and Save buttons.

  3. Drag the start- and end-point controls.

    Drag the start-point control to the place where you'd like your video to begin. (If you want the video to start from the very second when you pressed the Record button, of course, you can leave the control right where it is.) Likewise, drag the control on the right—the end-point control—to where you want the video to end (Figure 4.7). When you drag a control, the video above reflects its position—the part of the video where you're just about to skateboard over 14 speedboats, for example.

    Figure 4.7

    Figure 4.7 The Trim window's start-point and end-point controls.

  4. Save your edit.

    When you've positioned the start-point and end-point controls exactly where you want them, click Save As or Save:

    • If you click Save As, the Save Trimmed Video window appears, listing all your movie folders. Choose one and click Save. A trimmed copy of the clip is saved in the folder you've selected.
    • If you choose Save, the original clip is trimmed and left in its original folder.
  5. Repeat Steps 1–4 for other clips.

    Trim the fat and gristle off any other clips that you want to assemble into a finished movie.

Assembling a movie

Now that you've trimmed your clips, it's time to piece them together into a movie, like so:

  1. Click the Movie button.

    When you do, a Create Movie window appears (Figure 4.8). This window walks you through the four-step process of creating a movie.

    Figure 4.8

    Figure 4.8 To begin creating a movie, start by arranging its clips.

  2. Drag clips into the Create Movie window

    Step 1 of this process is adding the clips you want to use in the movie. To do this, simply select a folder in the FlipShare window, click and hold on a clip, and drag that clip into the Create Movie window.

  3. Rearrange your clips.

    If you don't care for the order of your clips, feel free to drag them to different positions. A light blue line appears just before a clip's new position in the movie. You can preview how the clips will look by clicking the Play button in the small movie frame in the Preview section (on the right side of the Create Movie window).

  4. Click Next.

    Clicking the Next button takes you to the Add Title and Credit Screens window (Figure 4.9), where you complete Step 2 of the process.

    Figure 4.9

    Figure 4.9 Add titles and credits in Step 2 of making a movie.

  5. Add your titles and credits.

    You have three options:

    • Include Title. Just enable this option, click the example text to the right (which reads Click Here to Change Title), and type some title text—My Gnarly Movie, for example.

    • Include Credits. Again, enable the option by clicking the check box if you want credits, click the example text, and type your credits. Each line holds 15 characters, and you get five lines to work with. Again, you can't change the text style or size.

    • Share Credit with Flip. When enabled, the last option embeds a little ad for Flip Video at the end of your movie.

  6. Click Next.

    It's on to the Include Background Music window and Step 3 of the process, in which you can add music.

  7. Add background music—or not.

    Like I said, Step 3 is the musical step. You can choose to add no music, use one of the seven canned background-music soundtracks included with FlipShare (Figure 4.10), or choose an MP3 audio file from your computer's music collection (its Windows Media or iTunes music library, for example).

    Figure 4.10

    Figure 4.10 In Step 3, you can add music that's included with FlipShare or MP3 files from your music library.

    In this window, you can also choose to have the music play softer or louder than the video's soundtrack, or to play just music with no video sound. To hear what the background music will sound like and how loud it will be, click the Play button in the Preview area on the right side of the window. Your video will play in a small window, and you'll hear its soundtrack mixed with the background music (unless you've chosen the option to play music only, of course).

  8. Click Next.

    You move to the Name Your Movie window and Step 4.

  9. Name your movie.

    You've arrived! Step 4 asks only that you name your movie and then create the thing. By default, the movie is named with the title you entered in Step 2 of the process (Figure 4.11). If you want to use a different name, just type it in the Name Your Movie text box.

    Figure 4.11

    Figure 4.11 Name your movie and click Create Movie to complete the moviemaking process.

  10. Click the Create Movie button.

    Your finished movie is saved in FlipShare's My Movies folder.

To play the movie, just click My Movies in the FlipShare window, locate your movie, select it, and click the Play Full Screen button to see the movie in all its full-screen glory.

When you do, you'll notice that FlipShare places a dissolve transition between clips. (A dissolve transition overlaps the end of one clip with the beginning of another and then gradually shows less of the first and more of the second until the second clip is all you see.) You'll also notice that if you've chosen one of FlipShare's canned music backgrounds, the music fades out at the end of your movie. MP3 files don't fade, however; they cut off abruptly. In Chapter 8, I show you how to work around this problem.

Taking a snapshot

Unlike full-size camcorders that include photo options for snapping stills while you're also shooting a movie, the Flip camcorders shoot video only. The FlipShare software includes an option for capturing a frame from a clip, however, thus acting as an after-the-fact still camera. Here's how to shoot a still:

  1. Select a clip.
  2. Preview the clip.

    Switch to Thumbnail or Large view (refer to "To the right," earlier in this chapter), and drag the playhead (the box) in the timeline of the clip from which you want to capture a still picture.

  3. Click the Snapshot button.

    The Snapshot window appears, displaying the frame you selected in Step 2. In this window, you can use the control to zero in on the frame you're after. Just click the Back or Forward arrow to move a little bit at a time.

  4. Take the picture by clicking the Save Snapshot button (Figure 4.12).

    Figure 4.12

    Figure 4.12 Although you can't take a still picture with a Flip camcorder, you can capture a still from a video with the Snapshot feature.

    A Save window appears, where you can name your picture (saved as a JPEG file) as well as choose where to store it on your computer. By default, the picture is named with the clip's title followed by its time—My Movie 04m 22s.jpg, for example. Click the Save button to save it.

Making a DVD

The last button under the Create heading (refer to Figure 4.5) is DVD. As you might suspect, this button is FlipShare's avenue for creating a disc full of movies that you can play in a DVD player—one that's part of your computer as well as a stand-alone DVD player. You can either record (called burn in the business) a disc of your own or have Pure Digital handle the process for you (as well as design and apply a custom label and case). Here's what to do:

  1. Click DVD.

    When you do, the Create DVD window appears.

  2. Add movies.

    Drag any movies you'd like to have on the DVD from the main window to this window. You can add up to an hour's worth of movies.

  3. Name the folder.

    In the Name Your Folder text box, type a name for the folder full of movies you're about to create—Snowboarding 2009, for example.

  4. Save your folder full of movies by clicking Save.

    The Video Upload window appears, giving you the option to either burn your own DVD or order a DVD from Pure Digital. I look at both options in the following section.

Peachpit Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Peachpit and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Peachpit products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email ask@peachpit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.peachpit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020