Blessings all! Today we pick up where we left off last time. That's right - using what's in your hands. With all the rapidly changing, ever-increasing technology that is so prevalent in today's society, moving your vision from thought to fruition may seem like such a daunting task. When in actuality that's just the reason why everything is at our "fingertips."

Today we take a look at Video Trailers. I trust you viewed the last trailer, and consider attending as well!
One of the most widely used, yet often unheard of software for video editing is actually free. That's right I said FREE! It's called Microsoft Windows Movie Maker. Most people with a PC have it as software in their Accessories folder - one of the goodies that come with the Microsoft Windows operating system.  There are several updates with each new operating system, but they all operate the same - more or less.

This video editor is feature-rich and allows one to import digital images/pictures, video, and music. The drag and drop features of this software make it easy to develop a video with transitions, effects, text overlays, as well as narration of the video as well.

So where do you start? Open up the software and follow the directions. It's easier than you might think. Start small. Use ten to twenty pictures and one of your favorite song clips to start. When you experiment with the transitions and effects, you will need to move between the Storyboard and the Timeline. You can do this quickly by using the shortcut Ctrl+T. After you finish your project, you will need to save it as a project, in case you want to add to or modify the video, and then publish the video as a WMV (Windows Video file). This file can be burned to a DVD or uploaded to a digital video publisher like YouTube, or your own domain.

Below you'll find the video for this edition, which I recorded in the library with a Logictech Pro Webcam! After downloading it to my computer, I was able to import it into Windows Movie Maker, make some edits and publish online for you to view. If you'd like more in depth training. We'd be glad to teach you. Yes we make personal visits for group settings, and we can teach you right online! Contact us at ebmedia@live.com.

Pastor E. Barber
EBCreativeMedia
Creative Media Solutions Designed for You

About a year ago, I shared with members of a Men's group how God answered me when I prayed for a financial blessing. In what seems like a few short years ago, the Lord responded to me, "What's in your hands Emery?" As I looked at my hands, I prayed for elucidation, and the answer came back a bit clearer, "Before you request more blessings, exhaust your gifts." As I opened my drawer for a pen to write the message down, I saw a book of songs that I had written with which I had done nothing, but write them down. Needless to say, I was convicted, and that became the impetus of actions that led to the production of my first CD and my first book.

In the fourth chapter of the book of Exodus in the Holy Bible, God calls Moses to the greatest task of his life; to free the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage. It meant that Moses had to face the ruler of that mighty nation, and declare that the great I AM said, "Let my people go!" Moses felt unqualified and ill equipped, and as he communicated this feeling, God asks Moses a question that we must cling to as we journey to our several tasks.

"What is that in your hands?" So I ask you today, what's in your hands? Moses had a rod - a vocational tool that he was familiar with, but in the hands of the Master, became so much more than he could probably wrap his mind around. This age of history marks one of the greatest advancements of technology in history. That means with all the tools available to you, all you have to do is to allow your hands to engage what God has allowed your mind to see, and your heart to believe. Everything you need is literally at your fingertips. I challenge you to use it to the glory of God and the good of others!

Like what Pastor Barber? "Like what," you ask? Today we will take a brief look at Video Trailers. You see them all the time, in one form or another. Some refer to them as commercials, but that is only "one of the many uses for this fruit." I'll share how to get started, and you let the Spirit inspire you and lead you in its use. Recently I created a video trailer, after receiving an invitation to attend the event. I was excited about the opportunity for pastors and leaders to receive training from a ministry I've come to know as as Spirit lead, as well as experienced in preparing servants for ministry. I wanted to help, but I didn't have a large budget. So the first step is to consider your budget. Now when I say budget, please understand I'm not just talking about finances. I refer also to people resources, as well as time.

Immediately, I heard the words that would be the script for the video, and began to write it down. So the second step is to consider your demographic. What audience are you trying to communicate to? This involves understanding how to communicate to them, their culture. The third step is to identify the most impactful way to communicate your message. In this case I knew that the words would be heard, but I also wanted them to be seen. The fourth step is to identify the medium by which you will communicate your message. Because I knew the words would be seen as well as heard, I had to decide whether the message would be static or dynamic - would there be movement with effects or a flyer that could be read while the message was heard.

All of these questions quickly found their answer in a video trailer format. You can view the video below, and also consider attending this blessed event as well.  In our next session, I will share with you the format, or software I chose to use, based on the answers to the questions we considered today. It is easily accessible - right at your fingertips, and easy to learn. As you discern the gifts that are in your hands, I pray that you will submit your gifts to the Lord. The results will be beyond your expectations!

Emery Barber
EBCreativeMedia.com
Creative Media Solutions Designed for You