Quick Tip - Polish your product!

For more information on shooting/selling stock footage check out my other posts:
GETTING STARTED
KEYWORDING
WHAT SELLS?

Stock footage calls for some emphasis on quantity over quality. Don't be afraid to post a clip that isn't the most stunning 15 seconds you've ever created. You never know exactly which clips will do well for you.

However, take extra time to polish clips that need it. Each clip in your library is a product that could potentially earn income for you for the next 10 years.

I recently shot a time lapse shot of a clock. I noticed that there was a logo in the middle of the clock that would probably get it rejected. I did a quick blur in After Effects to take out the logo. At that point I could technically post the clip, but I was unhappy with the clip when the minute hand crossed behind the blur. With this "polish" tip in mind I took the extra time to mask around the hand so that it would appear to pass over the blur. This gave the clip a much more natural look, and it avoids calling attention to the blur.

The process took some extra time, but time invested on the front end often pays dividends on the back end. Remember to polish your product and maximise you clip's potential to make you money.

Happy Shooting!
HDCineman