I don’t have a lot of patience for apps. Information overload freaks me out and I try to avoid complicating my life with one more digital device prodding into my existence every few seconds.
That’s why I’m enjoying Videolicious. It helps me create – not consume. And the app is so easy to use that it doesn’t try my precious patience. Moreover, it’s free.
With Videolicious, users create one-minute videos using photos and video. The app lets you cut together a sequence of ten images or clips, and record your voice over it as narration. Then, you can choose a music clip, either from your own library or from Videolicious’ selection of generic tunes, to play over the whole thing. Finally, you can top it off with a filter, similar to Instagram. Once complete, you can upload the video the YouTube or Vimeo, or simply send it in an email. It gets saved to your phone as well.
The greatest benefit of Videolicious is the ability to create a quality product while reporting in the field, all in just a couple of minutes. The video looks good as soon as it gets posted – but can hold its own alongside videos created on serious editing software. Since reporters nowadays spend so much time out and about, being able to do quality work on-the-go is crucial. Plus, being able to quickly publish work is helpful for breaking news.
For example, I could have used Videolicious this morning to cover the hearing where the attackers of Giants-fan Bryan Stow pleaded guilty. I could have taken photos in the courthouse (though not in the actual courtroom), showing the scene and some of the people involved: prosecutors, defense attorneys, Stow’s family, and the media crowd. I could have also used video from the press conference. Then I would have explained the scene, and the emotions in the courtroom. I could probably have done it all faster than writing and posting a blog. It might also have been more compelling. The Bryan Stow case has been widely commented on nationwide – but only a handful of people were in the courtroom to see the proceedings take place. A video and photos would give the topic a sense of immediacy.
For now, I’ve created an experiment video about street food using photos I had stored on my phone. This style of Videolicious project is effective too, since the photos are colorful and help tell the story better than words alone.
Another plus is the one-minute time limit, keeping videos short, simple, and easy to upload fast. For my experiment video, I made up the script in my head. I had to practice a few times to keep it under one minute – but often fewer words are better anyway. It’s possible to upgrade to a paid account for longer video lengths.
The only thing that bothers me is the zoom on the photos while the video plays. I like the zoom, but wish I could control which direction it runs, and how fast. In one photo, a man who is the subject of the photo is inadvertently cropped out because of the tight zoom.
Next I need to experiment with adding videos into the mix. I’m excited to continue experimenting with this app, especially when reporting from the field and publishing in real time – whether breaking news or simply a human interest story.
