I use SmartSound’s SonicFire Pro for many of my projects because the tracks are low-cost and can be key-framed to match durations which can cut down on editing time. You can browse their library here.
Other excellent sources for royalty-free music include:
- Audio Jungle - Good tracks for very low prices, well-designed, easy-to-use site.
- ProductionTraxx - Wide selection, high quality. Pricing varies.
- RoyaltyFreeMusic.com - Decent pricing, wide selection.
- RoyaltyFreeMusic has a free music program for qualified educational content producers.
- Green Light - Rights clearance for major productions.
- Public Domain Audio Video - Worth a look. I once needed “Hail to the Chief” and found it there.
> STOCK PHOTO RESOURCES
NOTE: If you’re choosing photos for video, selecting horizontally oriented (“landscape”) vs. vertical (“portrait”) photos is usually preferred. Ask your editor for resolution recommendations based on the nature of the project.
- Shutterstock - Biggest of the 2 low-price “pro/am” sites so lots of good choices for the money.
- iStockphoto - The other big discount source with a good price to quality ratio. Very nice easy-to-use website.
- Getty Images - Premium material with usually higher price tag. Stock footage and music also available.
- Corbis - Another often pricey high-end supplier (video also available).
- Foto Search - Stock photos, royalty-free clipart, illustrations, stock video clips, and royalty free music.
- The Library of Congres Digital Collections - Great source for historic material and documents. Note that not all LoC materials are in public domain and copyright research may be required.
Shutterstock Stock Photo Keyword Search:
Search Terms:
> STOCK VIDEO FOOTAGE RESOURCES
Sometimes a little well-chosen stock b-roll can make the difference for a corporate piece without the additional expense of shooting it. here are my preferred vendors:
Other excellent sources for royalty-free music include:
- VideoHive - Stock footage and motion graphics.
- iStockphoto - Videos are also available here.
- Shutterstock - Also has video footage at very low prices.
- Animation Factory -Good source for video beds and video element overlays.
- Artbeats - The venerable and ubiquitous Artbeat footage--lots of everything, great site.
- Thought Equity - A high-end provider for big budget productions.
> VOICE OVER TALENT
- Robert Ayres - Great voice, works remotely and delivers perfect files. Excellent corporate.
- Colin Hussey - Nuanced voice for characters and narration. His reel is here.
> SHOOTERS & CREW
- Eli Adler - A talented and experienced DP for corporate and broadcast HD shooting.
- Bay Package Productions - Versatile HD shooters who also do amazing underwater work around the world.
> CD & DVD REPLICATION & DUPLICATION
When it comes to DVDs, there is always a lot of confusion about “replication” and “duplication.” In short, you only replicate if you have some budget and usually there is a minimum run. That makes as close to a 100% reliable DVD as you can get. If you duplicate (which is what I and most of my clients wind up doing), you get a DVD that will almost always play on a computer (with DVD playing software loaded) and will play in 95% of garden variety players. That said, here are my favorite vendors:
- SF Video 1-800-545-5865 - Very professional, versatile and easy to use. Clear pricing, easy graphics design and easy to FedEx masters to.
- Digital Revolution 415-398-1200 (on Battery @ Jackson) - Excellent choice for a tight budget--see their economy pricing and especially their self-serve.
> MISCELLANEOUS RESOURCES
Here is a very cool online Golden Hour Calculator for shooters. What is the Golden Hour, you ask?
How to set up a monitor with SMPTE Bars. More detailed info here. The PAL version.
Be sure to visit my own ProAppsTrainer Store for expendables (like tape stock and gaffers tape) and a plethora of post-production training and reference books.
If you’re a Final Cut Pro editor, you can learn more about time-saving FCP keyboard shortcuts at The FCP Shortcutter blog.
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