Posting Videos Online
Where Can I Post My Video?
And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Mark 13:37
We can create and share uplifting videos that show the joy we have from the Gospel.
What Do Video Sharing Sites Do?
Search and Watch Video
YouTube is an online video repository where users can search for and watch videos. YouTube allows you to search millions of videos based on its title and tags. A “tag” is keyword that describes what the video is about.
Upload and Store
YouTube allows you to upload and store your videos. When you upload your videos to YouTube, the program automatically converts them to the YouTube-specified video format (Adobe Flash Video 7.0).
Share and Customize
YouTube allows you to share the videos you have submitted with other users as well as share videos you have viewed on YouTube with other people.
YouTube also allows you to privately show video. You can select up to 25 people with whom to share your video. Just enter the e-mail addresses of selected friends and YouTube will automatically send them an e-mail with a link to the video.
YouTube allows you to share videos on your own blog or webpage that you have created. If you don’t know how to add video to your website or blog, YouTube and most other video-sharing sites make it easy to do so by providing the programming code to show the video on your site. You would copy and paste this code straight into the place where you want it in your blog or webpage and it will show the video you have selected in your site.
YouTube allows you to create a “channel.” The channel includes the videos you have uploaded and other videos that you recommend.
Other Video Sharing Sites
Here are other sites you may want to explore for sharing videos:
This site claims, “We’ll take care of the servers, the software, the workflow, the advertising and the distribution. We leave you free to focus on creativity.” Blip.tv believes that if they have good content, more people will actually visit the site so that it could become a venue for the “budding videoblogger, podcaster or Internet TV producer.”
Recently acquired by Yahoo, Jumpcut allows you to upload and edit your video on the site itself. If you don’t have movie editing software, this site is a good choice for you.
Next to YouTube, Metacafe probably has the biggest audience, mostly because of its wide viewership worldwide. If you want to share your video globally, you could choose this site.
How One Ward Used Video Testimony
As part of a youth conference activity, the youth the Redrock Stake in Las Vegas, Nevada recorded their testimonies. The goal of this activity was twofold. First, in a medium with which the youth are familiar, they recorded their own testimony for their own posterity. Second, the video clips created were posted on the Internet by the youth on their own blogs or video-sharing sites as a missionary tool. A leader who helped to coordinate the activity said, “We hope that in time many will see and feel the testimonies of our young men and women in Las Vegas whose sincerity and faithfulness have the potential to break down the walls that obstruct truth.” Regarding the reach such testimonies can have, Elder Ballard said, “While some conversations have audiences in the thousands or even millions, most are much, much smaller. But all conversations have an impact on those who participate in them. Perceptions of the Church are established one conversation at a time.”
Where Can I Find Examples?
Instead of repurposing materials produced by the Church, this user has created his own videos, in which he explains basic Mormon beliefs in a very conversational down-to-earth way
This site has 78 videos about basic beliefs of the Church. The user has tried to answer common questions that have recently come into the media spotlight.
Faith-promoting videos from the church meant for everyone.
The Church Public Affairs Department has its own YouTube channel. It provides videos that the Church produces regarding general beliefs, humanitarian efforts, doctrinal clarifications, and new Church materials announcements.
YouTube Tutorial
Before you share a video online, you should understand two important considerations:
The video must be digital. If the video is on your computer, it is likely digital. VHS tape or another type of analog video source must be digitized before it can be shared online. If your video is analog, you will need some special equipment to convert it to digital. If you have a camcorder that uses Mini-DV tapes, DVD, or hard drive, your video is already digital and you just need to transfer it from your camera to your computer. As you download or convert your video, look for the following most common digital video file formats that are the easiest to work with: .WMV, .AVI, .MOV, AND .MPG.
The file size of the video you make needs to be small enough so that it can be easily viewed on the Internet. Small file size means that you save the file in a lesser quality format so that it can be easily streamed (shown) online to be viewed. That is why most of the videos you see online are grainy.
You can use a Webcam or video recorder that is attached to your computer to record your video, which will probably meet both specifications stated here. If not, most video-editing software lets you save a video in a format that is friendly to Internet sharing.
Good File Size and Format
Most sites that allow you to upload and store your videos set parameters for how big your video can be. As you save your movie when you are editing or uploading, make sure that your video meets those specifications. As an example, here are the specifications for YouTube:
Size: No more than 10 minutes per video and no larger than 100MB per video.
Format: YouTube accepts a wide range of video file formats such as .WMV, .AVI, .MOV, and .MPG transferred from most digital cameras, camcorders, and cell phones. If you don’t think your current video file format is recognized by YouTube, you might get the best results from converting your file to MPEG4 video with MP3 audio.
Here are a few examples of low-cost or free video converting software programs that help you to get your video ready to share online.
Windows
Mac (Apple computer)
Once you have your video in an acceptable format for whatever video-sharing tool you are using, you are ready to start sharing.
STEP 1: Sign up for an account.
Signing up gives you your own channel and allows you to start compiling videos that you like as well as creating playlists that you find interesting. Use the following steps to sign up for a YouTube account. Hint: If you already have a Google Account, you can sign up very quickly just by using your account.
How to Sign Up for an Account:
Continue to fill out the information requested. You will need to check the box to agree to YouTube’s terms of service, then click “Create my account.”
You’ll be taken to your home page. On your home page you can edit your profile, view your favorite videos, and upload your own videos.
Now that you have your account and channel set and ready to go, upload a video so you can start broadcasting your own videos to the world!
STEP 2: Click on “Account”
Click the “Account” drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner and select “My Videos.” When you do, it will take you to your upload page.
STEP 3: Select a new video upload.
Click the “New” drop-down menu and select “Video.”
STEP 4: Find the video on your hard drive.
After you click “Video Upload,” this page should appear. Click on “Browse” and locate the video you want to upload onto YouTube. You can see that my video is called “movie to share.” Select your movie and click “Open.”
STEP 5: Add information about the video.
As your video is uploading, list information about the movie as prompted by YouTube, including: title, description (what the movie is about in a sentence or two), and tags (these are keywords that relate to your video that make your video available to be found by searching). My video is about the blessings of Family Home Evening. You can see the associated information.
Also, YouTube wants to know what Category your video fits under. Click the drop-down menu and choose one that best applies. Choose your privacy settings so you can share the video with everyone or make it private and invite viewers via email.
STEP 6: Upload the video.
After you have selected your privacy settings and chosen a category, click “Upload Video.”
Your video will take several minutes to upload. The exact amount of time depends on your connection speed and size of video.
STEP 7: Watch the video.
Once you have uploaded the video (depending on the speed of the upload) you can view it online by click “Play.” YouTube has other features that allow you to change your movie if desired. For example, you could annotate the video or add music to it.
Once the movie is loaded, you can access it and watch it on the video’s page. Now your video is out there for the world to see. Click “Play” to watch.
Practical Ideas and Tips
Possible Video Ideas:
Create short “how-to” videos about Family History that show what tools are available online and how to get started.
Post videos about emergency preparedness or how to make a 72-hour kit to help folks learn how to become self-reliant.
Post a family home evening clip and explain how taking one night out of the week to be together really has helped you and your family.
Speak for Yourself, Not the Church:
Don’t leave the impression that your video is an official Church site or statement, or that it is associated with any Church Ward or Stake.
If you use the video to discuss Gospel doctrines, remember you are speaking as an individual member of the Church, sharing your personal perspective.
Remember that you are always on the record. Everything you say or share could be on the Internet forever.
Don’t Get Caught Up in the Negative:
Remember that the Spirit can have the most powerful effect on the hearts of the watchers.
As you make the videos, remember the 13th Article of Faith: “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” Share the fruits of the Gospel that we enjoy.
Make videos that invite open and honest dialogue. Use good humor to liven a sometimes difficult subject. Don’t point out weaknesses in another’s church or doctrine.
Be Accurate, Get to the Point, Make It Sharp!
Nothing will open the door to more negative videos than errant information. When you share something, make sure you have your facts and figures right. Make sure your quotes and comments are sourced in strong (meaning canon or living prophet’s words) publications such as Scriptures, Ensign, New Era, and Institute Manuals.
Don’t forget copyright issues. You may not use music, video, and images that are owned by the Church and others. It is inappropriate to post work that does not belong to you.
If you are going to take the time to make a video, realize the more time you take before you start filming, the better the movie will be. Take some time to plan out how you might present the topic clearly and compellingly. This site provides some insight on how to make a good video: (http://www.mahalo.com/How_to_Make_a_Video_Podcast).
