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While Face To Face images can be used in a number of
graphic and video programs, I highly recommend using
PowerPoint to create videos as it has a number of
features that make it more potent and flexible.
Because of this, the following tutorials use
PowerPoint.
Random Character Creation Tips and Ideas
Adding hands can add even more personality to
your characters. I've included some in your
Character Kit, although I really couldn't find a
great selection of hand images that were public
domain.
Kozzi.com
has one image with a good assortment of cartoon
hands. You can sign up for a free
trial and do a search for "cartoon
hands".
If you want to add hands, check out this search at
GraphicRiver for "cartoon hands". You can get a
variety of different collections starting at $5. GraphicRiver
Cartoon Hands
Your Face To Face images have both single eyes
and pair of eyes. I included single eyes for
clipart that is shown as a profile with only one
eye showing, such as a fish.
Single eyes can also be used when a pair of eyes
or an entire face just doesn't fit right. Just add
a single eye and duplicate it, flipping one of the
eyes as needed. Then just add an animated or
static mouth if you want. PowerPoint is great for
duplicating and flipping animated gifs.
When using single eyes, you can rotate them in
PowerPoint so they convey entirely different
emotions. In the image below, the only difference
is both of the single eye images used were
rotated. See how this simple adjustment gives a
whole new feeling to each image?
Try using various numbers of eyes for monsters
and aliens. Maybe an alien or monster only has one
eye. Maybe another has 3 eyes. Be creative.
Mouths don't always have to be perfectly in
place. They will often work offset even to the
point of not being on the face at all. This is a
great thing about using cartoons. With some
characters like crabs, frogs, lobsters, etc., the
eyes can even go above the head.
You can often simply add blinking eyes to
clipart to make it come "alive". This is a real
simple but effective way to add motion to a video
that would otherwise just be an image and text.
Think of Mr. Potato Head. You may be surprised
what you can do with a simple plain "face" shape.
Stretch and reshape them to give them a new look.
Add hair, eyebrows, beard, mustache, glasses, Face
To Face or static face parts and come up with your
own unique characters.
I left eyes or mouths on a small portion of the
clipart in the Character Kit. This was because
they were too hard to remove or looked good as
they are.
Most of the clipart images are really easy to
recolor. Don't be afraid to experiment with your
own customizations. Just make a copy of the image
and have at it. If you mess up, just delete it and
make another copy.
You don't always need to use "talking: Face To
Face
animations on a clipart image. Consider just using
eyes, mouths, and/or faces in your video program.
Just using a character with eyes that blink will
make your videos come alive.
Import multiple animations and images into
PowerPoint at the same time to check them out.
It's easier to delete the ones you don't want to
use than to keep navigating to your images folder.
PowerPoint has the built-in ability to change
the color of the animations. If color of the
animations doesn't quite match the color of the
clipart, you can change the color if either in
PowerPoint. Also note that changing the Face To
Face to grayscale will almost always make the work
in any color of clipart.
Speak Easies "How To" Plus Some Simple
But Cool Tips and Tricks
An important concept when creating "speaking"
characters is that you need to use two versions of the
same image:
1. An animated GIF.
2. A static PNG.
The animated GIF makes the mouth move. However, when
the audio voice-over ends, you don't want the mouth to
keep moving, so you replace it with a static PNG
version of that image.
Swapping moving and still images are pretty easy in
PowerPoint, which is another reason I recommend using
PowerPoint.
Another important concept is with your audio
recordings when trying to synchronize your audio with
the moutn animations is not to have any silent parts
at the start or finish of your audio recording. You
can edit these out right in PowerPoint or an audio
editor such as Audacity.
The videos below use characters from other characters
not included with Face To Face. However, the
principles are the same. Just substitute the static
PNG for of the face or mouth GIF when you want the
character to stop talking.
Tip: You don't need to use a Speak Easy on every
slide. Just sprinkle them into some of your PowerPoint
slides throughout your videos to get a great effect
that's fast and easy to do.
Working With Dark Backgrounds - The
Glow Effect
Try the glow affect on your Face To Face images and
animations for some unique affects.
Note: The video above refers to "Animation
Sensation" characters, another great
collection of animated characters I created. This
tip works well with Speak Easies too, so I included
it here. Be sure to check out Animation
Sensation to give your videos even more "pop"
and emotion.
Using Audacity To Record Your Audio
Voice-Over
Using Powerpoint to Record Your Voice
Over Content and Inserting Audio To Autoplay
Extra Special Resources:
Disclosure: I receive compensation for the
links, products and services below. Most are my own
products. VideoBlocks is an affiliate link and
PresenterMedia is a "refer a friend" link. I have
bought and paid for both VideoBlocks and
PresenterMedia myself and will continue to do so. I am
not blindly recommending either just to earn a
commission. I believe they are both high quality
resources, and essential tools for any serious video
marketer.
PowerPoint King Tuts - The ultimate "How To Get
Started" training course for creating money-making
videos using PowerPoint. Includes everything you need
to create profitable videos and nothing you don't
need.
Animation
Sensation Characters - Add motion and emotion to
your PowerPoint videos. The perfect compliment to your
PowerPoint Speak Easies characters. Animation
Sensation is a huge collection of animated characters
created by me that bring any Powerpoint video to life.
Choose from 6 lovable characters, each with over 50
different animations. This collection features a wide
variety of emotions and actions and will enhance your
Powerpoint slides with just a few clicks.
The
High Voltage Video Forum - I run the Warrior
Forum's High Voltage Video Forum. It's the best
resource on the planet for Video SEO, Youtube
marketing, video creation tips, unique and original
methods, special reports and more. Join me and the
rest of the gang. I look forward to seeing you there.
EZ
Video Dynamo - A collection of ready-to-use
PowerPoint templates I made for you that make it as
easy as 1-2-3 for you to create your own "explainer"
videos.
VideoBlocks
- Download from over 100,000 Stock Videos,
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PresenterMedia
- Lots and lots of high quality Powerpoint templates,
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