How To Make A Video Essay (For Beginners)

In this video you'll learn how to make a simple video essay from start to finish.

0:00 Introduction
0:10 Example Video Essay
0:32 What You'll Learn
1:40 Choosing Your Software
1:58 Choosing Your Microphone
2:58 Step 1: Write Script
3:29 Step 2: Record Rough Voiceover
4:18 Step 3: Find Video Footage
6:37 Step 4: Import Video Footage
7:26 Step 5: Find Background Music
9:21 Step 6: Record Final Voiceover
10:14 Step 7: Improve Voiceover Quality
12:37 Step 8: Finish Editing Video
13:36 Step 9: Create YouTube Thumbnail
14:23 Step 10: Upload & Share

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USB Microphone I recommend: ATR 2100 USB Mic

PAID VIDEO EDITING SOFTWARE
Final Cut Pro (Mac)
Adobe Premiere Pro (Mac/PC)

FREE VIDEO EDITING SOFTWARE
iMovie (Mac)
Davinci Resolve (Mac/PC)

AUDACITY (RECORDING SOFTWARE)

BEST FREE STOCK FOOTAGE SITES

BEST PAID STOCK FOOTAGE SITES (MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION)
Envato Elements
Videoblocks

OTHER PAID STOCK FOOTAGE SITES (CHARGE PER CLIP)
Adobe Stock
Shutterstock
Pond5

FREE MUSIC SITE SPREADSHEET

PAID MUSIC SITES
Audio Network
Envato Elements
Musicbed

IMPROVE VOICEOVER QUALITY
Auphonic

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The link to the USB microphone is an Amazon affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, I can earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products that I personally use and fully endorse.

[NotGayBen]

Unironically this is exactly what I was looking for but could never find... and it just showed up in my recommended. I'm very surprised you have less than 100 subs because the quality of your videos is top notch my guy, keep it up

[urphakeandgey]

Audio nerd here: USB mics are good for plug-and-play functionality and if you don't want to learn about audio. If you want actual "studio" quality audio then use an audio interface and a mic with XLR or something. You have much better controls over the levels (volume), which makes post-processing WAY better. USB mics always come short in post-processing, but most people don't even want to do that, in which case a USB mic is acceptable.

[Film_Secrets]

2:00 USB is inferior. If you have the budget for it, make sure you get an XLR mic setup. XLR will always sound better than USB. If you're stuck with USB you can use software like audacity, fl studio, etc. to denoise, remove hiss and make your audio more clear overall. Make sure you use Davinci/Vegas for editing and don't over-edit your audio. As long as your voice is clear and understandable you're good to go.

[shivam-tiwari]

I've been wanting to make video essays on films for a while now, but have never been able to get started since I have no experience in video production. This video is exactly what I needed to get started on my dream, thank you!

[taempteng]

I’ve watched a few tutorials for video essays, but this was definitely the most helpful of them all! You actually shared sites we can go to for stock videos/music or to improve our audio track. I really appreciate the time and effort you’ve put into sharing free resources that we can turn to.

Thank you for this video! I’m feeling more confident and less lost on how to create my video essay now

[syrusangi]

Dude, why don't you have more views. The information here is so valuable with thorough guidelines and tips.
Thank you so much

[jan_gabriel]

As someone who wants to make a video essay for the first time, this is very helpful! Thank you very much!

[DUMPSTERDARTS]

Appreciate the time you put into this, keep plugging and you'll blow up very soon. I've been planning video essays for months just having a hard time starting with the first, definitely trying to make it perfect before I start, I think I'm gonna do a short one first just to see how it goes and get the process rolling

[biegebythesea]

You should have more views. The most practical advice out there.

[BlazinTre]

Hey man. I wanted to thank you for the wonderful work you put into this. I found out that I won't be here for long so I've been having this crisis ever since. Now I actually have a step by step process to leave my mark on the world. Thank you.

[Jellybeansatdusk]

I needed to make a video essay for class, and this was extremely helpful. I couldn't find any comprehensive sources for anyone who wasn't already familiar with video editing. I've never done anything on any scale, so this was great! Glad to subscribe.

[jamesA]

I've watched many video essay tutorials and yours is the most helpful and useful. The internet is so wide that finding the right sites that is suitable for my vids give me stress and anxiety. Thank you for making this vid and giving valuable information and links. Bless you, man. 🙏🙏🙏

[shubhamshrivastava]

Great video mate, learnt a lot. So clear and crisp.

[theraginrhino]

Incredibly informative and helpful video. Looking to make a video essay and this is the best guide I’ve seen so far, thank you!

[masokashenju]

For me this is one of the best videos available on Youtube on how to make video essay. Great job

[dorukcansev]

Dude this is the best how-to video ever made on any topics, thanks

[mikeburke]

Jesse. Thank you for making this. I am floored more people haven't watched this. Wow. This is really good.

[HersheyKisss]

This is the absolute best video on this topic thus far..thanks!

[Therussellfamforlive]

I followed your step-by-step all the way through and I accomplished my first video essay thank you so much

[anthonyeti]

This is an INCREDIBLE video. One of the best informational videos i've ever watched on the internet... and i've easily watched thousands of hours of them lol. I'm not just saying that, either. Great work.