What You Wanted To Know About Stock Footage

You need to make a short documentary but do not have enough video clippings to undertake the project. You could purchase the needed clippings from loyalty free video stock footage.

To suppose is often a good way of getting into new things. So let us suppose to help you get a grip on stock footage. Just suppose you were asked to make a documentary on the Alps landscape by one of your clients. Now for that, you would need video clippings of important peaks, valleys and glaciers of the Alps. An authentic video footage of a party of mountaineers conquering a peak would add weight to your documentary. Joining a group of mountaineers to shoot them during the climb is not an easy option either. You need not opt for either! Just purchase a stock footage clipping.

Stock Footage: What is it really?

Stock footage means short clips of moving images that can be used in a movie or video production. Stock clippings are not filmed with any specific production in mind. However, they can be used in several types of productions, like documentaries, TV series, news articles, sports series, independent films, advertisements and movies.

Advantages

Video stock footage has several advantages:

* The cost of production comes down because it is much easier to get stock video footage instead of shooting all the scenes.
* Historical clippings can be received only with a video package. Several clippings are too risky and it is better to hire or purchase them than to shoot.
* It reduces the carbon footprint.
* Test editing can be done on video clippings to determine whether they fit the bill or not. This can be done even before you purchase the stock footage.
* Stock footage can be used even by someone who has no experience in shooting.

How to Choose

Levels of expertise and professionalism determine the quality of footage clippings. Keeping a few things in mind before opting for stock footage would help:

Authenticity – Authenticity is all about natural look and realism. A video footage should look authentic. The more the authenticity in the video footage, more effective will be the final film or documentary.

Resolution – Video footage can be shot in different resolutions. Go for the video footage that would nicely gel into the final project. Resolution of the footage should be subject friendly.

Focal Length – Different focal lengths bring out different emotional feelings to a shot, having an intense effect on the total quality and look of the clipping. Opt for footage which suits your requirements.

Composition – Composition of footage is the single most important factor for determining footage quality. The manner in which the visual footage is created and placed within the frame is called composition. Visually engaging composition is an elementary part of stock video footage.

Motion – The motion of the camera is another important element. A scene can be captured in different angles. An experienced professional would know how to move the camera to get the best possible product.

Lighting – Lighting plays a big role in enhancing the overall look of a stock footage clipping. Source of light could be natural or artificial. Choose the source which provides the best lighting.

Compression & Delivery – Stock footage films can be delivered in different compression codes by the providing companies. You should have proper understanding of the types of compression formats. This would help you to get the exact format required for your project.

Quality video landscape footage can be purchased on the web. Keeping a few points in mind when going for the purchase would ensure that you end up purchasing the right thing.

The author is associated with MrFootage, which offers over 1000 hours of stock footage on categories like sports, nature, history and much more.