The internet’s global reach is quickly increasing the demand for more accessibility, so it’s now more important than ever to make your videos watchable for all. Learning about subtitles vs captions and adding them to your videos can help you accomplish this. 

At Vimeo, we prioritize accessibility in all that we do, which is why we support captions in our video player and provide automated closed captions and subtitles on live streams for Premium and Enterprise users. And marketing professionals agree — 78% of video marketers use a combination of accessibility features in videos, including captions.

But contrary to popular belief, the two forms of video transcription are not the same. While both captions and subtitles can help your content reach a wider audience, there are nuances to each to consider before deciding on one or the other for your videos. Let’s break down closed captions vs subtitles in this quick and easy guide to help you make the best choice.

What are captions? 

Captions transcribe dialogue, but they do so in the same language as the video. Captions also contain some additional information that subtitles don’t, like descriptions of background noises and speaker identification. They don’t always appear at the bottom of the screen — sometimes, they’ll be shown in different locations to indicate the source of the audio in the scene.

Open captions vs closed captions

There are two types of captions: open and closed.

Open captions cannot be turned off and are “burned” into the video file itself. 

Closed captions can be turned on and off by the viewer and are typically found in a settings menu. There are two different types of closed captions:

• 608 captions: Also called Line 21, CEA-608, or EIA-608 captions, these were the standard for analog TV. This type of captioning doesn’t support the customization or appearance options that 708 captions provide.
• 708 captions: Also called CTA-708, CEA-708, or EIA-708 captions, these are the new standard for captioning digital TV. This type of captioning supports appearance customization but not on analog TVs.

Caption styles

There are three main display styles for captions: roll-up, pop-on, and paint-on.

• Roll-up captions are used for live events and real-time programming.
• Pop-on captions are used for pre-recorded content.
• Paint-on captions are not typically found in modern captioning, but there are rare occasions they could be used — like for an initial caption of a pre-recorded video to avoid any slight pop-on caption delays or load times.

When to use captions

Captions are typically used to identify background sounds and music, speakers, and other audio cues. They’re designed for use by the d/Deaf communities and those with hearing impairments but are gaining popularity among all users. In fact, half of Americans say they watch content with subtitles “most of the time.”

Captions are also used to meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance requirements. Marketers aren’t always familiar with specific compliance laws — 50% don’t believe there’s a law requiring websites of government institutions to be accessible (there is; it’s known as Section 508). So, it’s in your best interest to default to adding captions.

32% of people think captioning should be the default content setting.

Source: Preply

How to add captions to video

There are several ways you can add video captions. You can use Vimeo to automatically or manually add captions to videos. For social media, you can add captions within TikTok, YouTube, Facebook (Meta), and other platforms.

One of our favorite ways to caption videos is by using Rev, a speech-to-text platform that’s now the sole provider of Vimeo’s automated captions. Rev provides users with both AI transcription and human-generated transcription options.

What are subtitles? 

Subtitles translate dialogue directly, typically into another language (though this isn’t a hard rule). The most popular example of this is shown in foreign films. Subtitles almost always appear at the bottom of a viewer’s screen.

Types of subtitles

There are three main types of subtitles: subtitles for the d/Deaf and hard of hearing (SDH), non-SDH, and forced narrative.

• SDH: Designed for users who cannot hear the on-screen dialogue and audio cues. SDH subtitles include information about sound effects, music, and the like.
• Non-SDH: Typically referred to as just “subtitles.” Non-SDH subtitles are designed for users who can hear, but not understand, the on-screen language and other audio cues.
• Forced narrative (FN): FN subtitles are overlaid text subtitles that are used to clarify on-screen dialogue, graphics, or other information that isn’t fully explained. For example, if an American video shows an on-screen text message in Spanish, an FN subtitle would show its English translation.

When to use subtitles

When subtitles are used, the video producer and/or broadcaster traditionally assumes the viewer isn’t fluent in the language spoken in your video. Though, in some instances, the subtitles and the on-screen spoken language match.

There are a handful of key indicators of when to use subtitles:

• When you want to improve accessibility
• When you want to better match user preference — a majority of viewers watch videos with the sound off
• When not everyone speaks the language spoken in your video
• When you want to improve your video SEO — as video transcripts allow search engines to crawl the dialogue in your video

How to add subtitles to video

Add subtitles to your video the same way you add captions to videos. There are a variety of tools and platforms you can use, including:

• Vimeo
• Rev
• Zubtitle
• Subly
• Amara
• MixCaptions

Caption vs subtitle FAQs

Discover answers to frequently asked questions about captions vs subtitles.

Is a subtitle a caption?

In a “functionality” sense, yes. Most of the world uses subtitles vs captions interchangeably. However, in its technical subtitle definition vs caption definition? No. 

• A subtitle is a translation of on-screen dialogue and spoken words from a foreign language to the viewer’s native language. It almost always appears at the bottom of a user’s screen. Types include subtitles for the d/Deaf and hard of hearing (SDH), non-SDH, and forced narrative subtitles.
• A caption is a transcription of on-screen sound. Captions appear in the same language as what is spoken in the video. Captions also contain information like audio and musical cues. Types include open captions and closed captions.

Why are subtitles called closed captions?

Depending on where you’re accessing content from, subtitles may also be referred to as closed captions. This is because, like subtitles, closed captions (compared to open captions) can be toggled on and off.

Who writes subtitles?

Popular streaming services like Netflix typically employ professional closed captioners or subtitle writers to work on their content, but subtitles can be added to video by anyone who has access to the video file and transcription software or captioning services.

With Vimeo, adding automatic captions to video content is so easy, just about anyone can do it.

Stand out with video captions and subtitles

In addition to widening your video’s accessibility, captions and subtitles naturally help you generate better-performing content. In the age of social feeds cluttered with muted videos, viewers often rely on captions to determine whether or not your video is relevant and interesting to them. And, if they like your video’s message, they’ll stop scrolling (or whatever else they’re doing) and watch.

More Vimeo Video School lessons

Learn more about uploading your subtitles and captions to Vimeo in our Help Center. Art from Joseph Melhuish. Updated on May 16, 2023.

As any kid can tell you, the best games are the ones that let you choose your next move. Whether you want to fight a dragon or slip off on a side quest, there is simply nothing cooler than a story that puts you in the director’s chair, where you have the power and autonomy to make your next move.

Interactive video takes an already-immersive art form—video—and dials up the drama to create stunning visuals that your viewer can actively participate in. You’ll choose what frames to see next and even drill down into product pages directly from where you’re watching. 

In a world where we’re passively scrolling through hundreds of videos per day, interactive is a new format to infuse novelty, delight, and action into the watching experience. 

Next, we’ll show you the differentiating features of an interactive video and tips to drive more engagement with standout marketing campaigns powered by interactive video.

Without further ado, let’s define what interactive video actually is.

Learn more about Vimeo’s interactive video platform

What is interactive video? 

An interactive video is a form of media that allows users to interact with content within the video itself. Traditional linear video only allows the viewer to stop, pause, and play the content.

But interactive video encourages engagement during the viewing experience. You can create different paths for the viewer to take through the video or include clickable links to other web pages — i.e., there are more ways than pressing play/pause to engage with the video. For a long time, interactive video was only an option for those willing to invest serious time and lots of development dollars to make it happen. But Vimeo makes it easy to turn any video into an interactive experience. (Psst…Our team takes care of the tech — and offers 24/7 support — so you can easily take your videos to the next level.)

What makes a video interactive?

In short, an interactive video lets a viewer manipulate the direction or method of engaging with the video the way they want to. There are a few techniques you can use to help them do that. 

• Hotspots direct the viewer toward another piece of related content (as an example). A hotspot is a point in the video that is clickable/touchable, hyperlinked to where you want the viewer to go, such as a product page — creating a shoppable video.

• Overlays add contextual media after the viewer clicks on a hotspot or reaches a time trigger. Overlays can include text, images, calls to action (CTA), maps, audio/visual prompts, and more.

• Time triggers are ideal if you’d rather not leave potential interactions to chance. You can trigger events to happen in the video at a specific time without the viewer needing to click or hover over the content. The most common use for this is opening overlays.
  

• Branching is arguably the coolest method of interactive video because it allows viewers to jump around the video in a “build your own adventure” style. You can take viewers down different paths of watching the video, depending on what choices they make with your interaction options.

The use of these techniques, either standalone or using more than one in the same video, is what makes videos interactive. They give the viewer the choice to take the video in a new direction compared to just watching the video from start to finish.

Types of interactive video

Now let’s dive into the different types of interactive video that you can use to create a unique experience for viewers that not only engages them but also boosts brand awareness.

Quizzes

If you want to entertain (and potentially reward) your audience, creating a fun quiz can be the way to go. 

By using quizzes that are relevant to your brand, you can educate your audience while keeping them entertained and engaged. For example, spice things up with an interactive video quiz that offers viewers a chance to win a prize or discount on your brand’s products or services. This can be a fun way to create a buzz and boost engagement with your audience.

“Build your adventure”

Remember the hype around Black Mirror’s “Bandersnatch” episode? If not, it was a feature-length Netflix show where viewers could make decisions for the main character at key moments that lead to a specific ending based on those choices.

As a marketer, you can recreate this level of engagement with branching storylines that create a “Build your adventure” video. By allowing viewers to choose their own path and create their own adventure, these videos create a sense of personal connection and excitement, making the audience feel like they’re part of the journey. For example, you can create product demos that allow viewers to choose from pre-set paths, depending on their goals, and explore the features of a product.

Shoppable videos

A little easier on the technical side, creating a shoppable video can be just what your marketing strategy needs to promote new (or resurrect old) products. 

Shoppable videos use the Hotspot technique mentioned earlier to create a clickable element in the video that leads to a product page for people to check out.

Educational

Using the same techniques as the shoppable videos, you can also create educational interactive videos about your brand or wider industry.

This type of interactive content can be used for video tutorials or for employee training and onboarding programs. You can embed checkpoints to ensure viewers are engaging and retaining the information, plus include supplemental material for folks to watch on their own time.

And instead of snoozefest PowerPoints, spice up your presentations with interactive videos. It makes for a more fun and engaging way to teach complex information.

Why you should include interactive videos in your marketing strategy

As a marketer looking for the best, most effective way to make an impact with your messaging, interactive video is game-changing. It may require a little more work and effort than traditional videos, but the payoff is oh-so-worth it.  

You’ll reap the full benefits of data collection. You’ll also see higher conversion rates thanks to more engaging, memorable videos that your audience can’t wait to share on social media.

Better data collection

Interactive videos are more than just a visual treat; they’re a valuable source of data. Interactive video tools help you track viewer behavior in real-time, including which parts of the video are being watched, skipped, or rewatched and which interactive elements viewers are engaged with. This information gives you valuable insights into viewer behavior and preferences that you can use to optimize your marketing strategy and improve targeting.

Furthermore, interactive video lets you collect viewer data, such as contact information, survey responses, and preferences, that you can use to inform your future marketing efforts.

Higher conversion rates

Engage, click, convert! Interactive elements such as quizzes, product demos, and calls to action guide viewers toward a desired action — making a purchase, filling out a form, or signing up for a newsletter. 
This improves conversion rates as viewers are more likely to take action after watching an interactive video. In fact, interactive video has a click-through rate of about 11%, compared to less than 1% of click-throughs on YouTube annotations and Google Ads.

More engaging

Linear videos, by nature, encourage a passive viewing experience, while interactive videos offer a more engaging and immersive user experience. Interactive elements such as branching storylines and clickable hotspots grab viewers’ attention and keep them engaged in a way that traditional videos cannot.

More memorable

Interactive video ads are 32% more memorable than traditional video. That’s because it engages viewers on multiple levels, including visual, auditory, and participatory. 

Viewers are more likely to remember and retain information presented in an interactive video due to the active participation and engagement required. For marketers, that means interactive videos can help boost brand awareness and recall.

Increased social sharing

Interactive videos that are optimized for social media platforms make it easy for viewers to share the content across multiple channels. And if you’ve taken advantage of the features available to you with interactive video, your viewers can’t resist sharing your content.

The result is increased reach and exposure, which makes interactive videos more effective as a marketing tool.

So now you know what interactive video is and how using it can benefit your marketing strategy, how do you make one? The next section provides a step-by-step tutorial.

How do you make an interactive video?

There are a number of interactive video makers available on the market. However, if you want an all-in-one video-creating, sharing, and storing platform, Vimeo is hard to beat. This tutorial will show you how to make interactive videos using the Vimeo video editing suite.

At the moment, these tools are only available to Vimeo Enterprise users.

1. Log into Vimeo or create a new account. Once logged in, head over to your video library where you can either upload a new video or open up an existing video in the editor.
   

2. Once you have opened the editor, you’ll see the Interactivity button under the Advanced settings option on the right-hand side of the editor.
   

3. Clicking on the Interactivity button takes you to the new Interactive studio where you can insert the interactive elements we explained earlier.
   

4. You can add a Hotspot or Time Trigger element to the video by using either the pane on the right of the video preview or by using the timeline editor below the preview. You can upload your own images or choose from a selection in the Vimeo library.
   

5. When adding a new element, you can have it “stick” to an object or open on a particular segment of the screen.
   

6. You can also use Time Triggers to build on the “branching” technique we mentioned earlier by giving the viewers the option to skip to a relevant segment of the video with the click of a button.
   

7. With each element you add, you can preview the animation before adding them to the video. Once you’re happy, you can click the blue check/tick mark in the side-panel editor.
   

That’s it! Once you’ve added all the interactive elements you want, you can preview the whole video before leaving the interactive studio. Once back in the main editor, you can choose to share the video to social media, copy the video link, or get the embed code to place on a webpage.

Game-changing examples of interactive video

So now you know just how easy it can be to create an interactive video with Vimeo, how about some inspiration? Here we’ll show you some awesome examples of interactive videos with a little explainer of why they’re so great.

Nespresso

Nespresso is a world-famous coffee brand. It produced the above interactive video to promote its Nespresso Vertuo range of coffee machines and associated products. 

The video has both Hotspots and Time Triggers that help create this “build your adventure” style of navigation. What makes this particular example great is how easy Nespresso makes it to choose a path by making the interactive elements very large.

Asurion

The next example is from the tech support company Asurion. In this interactive video, the host takes you through another “build your adventure” type video in the style of a quiz, that takes you through to a shoppable end page.

There are a ton of interactive elements in this video, and what makes it special is how engaging it is without being overwhelming (you don’t have to click on everything to keep going). 

Both of these examples show you how you can use interactive video in creative, yet on-brand ways to help liven up your marketing efforts.

Tips to make your interactive videos pop

When creating an interactive video, keep these tips in mind to ensure an engaging and user-friendly experience.

Storyboard, storyboard, storyboard  

If you’re planning a more complex interactive video (like a branching storyline), then dedicate some time in the pre-production stage to storyboard your idea. This will help you understand exactly how many storylines you’ll be pursuing.

When planning, remember that too many options can be too much of a good thing. “The simplest, cleanest experiences are the ones that gain the most interaction,” says Jack Brodie, managing director at Colada Creative. “Opt for two decisions at the end of each branch.” Keeping it simple will help your viewers navigate through your content and make your production day much easier. 

Hold your takes for longer than usual

For any videos with overlays or hotspots, it’s good to hold your shots a bit longer than you might normally. This will allow viewers to read any text on the screen or take the action you’d like them to take. 

Consider your framing

Depending on the profile of your overlays or hotspots, you might want to consider where the subject of your video sits in your frame. 

If a large overlay will unfurl on the left side of the screen, frame your subject further off to the right to make your post-production a breeze. “This will help you make sure that they don’t clash with the person or objects in the frame,” adds Jack.

“The beauty of interactive is the spectrum of what you can do, from shoppable video to overlays, to the analytics.”

Jack Brodie, Managing Director at Colada Creative

Make it shareable and promote it

Interactive videos need to be accessible and shareable — aka hosted on a website or Vimeo page — to work at their full capacity. That means you’ll want to leverage marketing channels like social and email to drive people to the full interactive experience. 

We recommend creating GIFs or short, looping video assets to show off the interactive abilities of your video. “Show people your video is interactive from the very start,” notes Jack. “Not many people even know you can click on a video. So that’s something we like to show people even in promotional images.”

The good news? Vimeo makes it easy to turn any video into a GIF for easy sharing anywhere. You can learn more about how to do that right with Vimeo’s simple GIF maker.

Review your performance

You’ve dreamed up a video, added your chosen interactive elements, and unleashed it upon the world. But are people actually engaging with it? 

Vimeo’s reporting and analytics go beyond standard video metrics to reveal super granular insights. You can see where and when your viewers clicked on different hotspots or overlays, check your shopping metrics, and more. Better insights = better learnings, which means better videos for you and your viewers.

FAQs

What’s the definition of interactive video?

Interactive video is a type of video that allows the user to actively engage with the content they see. They contain clickable elements that either take the user to another part of the video or to another webpage altogether.

What are examples of interactive videos? 

Some examples of interactive videos include quizzes, “build your own adventure”, shoppable videos, and educational videos. These types of videos use interactive elements like Hotspots and Time Triggers to create an interactive experience.

What is a shoppable video? 

A shoppable video is a type of interactive video that allows the viewer to click on a highlighted product in the video, which takes them straight to the product page.

Is Interactive video worth it?

Interactive video creates 66% more engagement. This can help increase brand awareness and conversion rates. Additionally, it enables better data collection, allowing for insights into viewer behavior and helping to optimize future videos and marketing campaigns.

Is Vimeo interactive?

Vimeo Enterprise customers are able to create interactive videos with the all-new interactive studio. With Vimeo’s interactive tools, you can create engaging and interactive videos that provide viewers with a more immersive experience. Vimeo also offers analytics tools to track viewer engagement and measure the performance of interactive videos.

Want more engagement? Go interactive

Adding interactive elements is ultimately an easy method of getting viewers to engage more with your content. However, in the right hands, they can also be a powerful lead generation tool—think targeted product recommendations based on information the viewer has chosen to click through.

Interactive videos might have seemed like science fiction a few decades ago. But now creating interactive videos is easier than ever thanks to tools like Vimeo. What’s more, your marketing team can put one together in mere minutes.

Ready to give it a try?

Get started with interactive video today

Originally published June 8, 2022. Updated on May 10, 2023.

Being a professional video creator involves a whole lot of work. Not only do you have to spend tons of time editing, but also your day doesn’t end in the edit bay. 

There’s a whole other legal side that you need to know about as you create. It’s a little thing called copyright law.   

Copyright is nuanced, so keeping a finger pulse keeps you armed with knowledge — because if you’re blithely creating without an understanding of copyright, the work you create could get you sued.

The views reflected in the article are solely that of the author’s and do not represent Vimeo’s views. While this is valuable information and you should take the time to learn about things like copyright, this article ISN’T legal advice. Legal advice comes only from a lawyer you’ve hired to advise you on your particular situation. So, if you have questions or want to put these concepts into practice, talk to an attorney.

Dealing with copyright might seem overwhelming and scary—but it doesn’t have to be! In this article, you’ll get the 101 of copyright…Basically, the bare minimum you need to confidently run your video production business.

Know your copyright…rights 

If you’re a video producer, you’re in the copyright business. Full stop. Before getting into the nitty-gritty, let’s review the basics. Simply put, here’s what copyright does:

Copyrights protect creative work, like books, movies, videos, music, sculpture, choreography, poems, and photographs. 

Copyright law prevents people from stealing and using your creative work as their own. It’s not the same thing as a trademark (that protects your brand), and it’s not the same as a patent (that protects novel inventions). Copyright also doesn’t protect ideas since copyright only protects works that are fixed in tangible form. Ideas don’t become tangible until they are turned into a creative work like a book, film, or anything else that copyright protects.

Now, let’s go deeper.

How to copyright your videos 

Even though your videos have a copyright when you create them, it’s not quite enough protection.

To truly guard your videos under today’s copyright law, you must register a copyright. Without registration, you cannot sue someone for infringing your copyright. Also, copyright registration provides additional benefits, like attorney fees and enhanced damages in an infringement lawsuit.

You can register a copyright online by going to the United States Copyright Office website and filling out the proper forms. These forms can be a little convoluted, so it’s a bright idea—and a major time and energy saver—to seek help from an attorney who can walk you through the steps. 

Note that there are scenarios where the copyright can get a little more complicated. For instance, if you collaborate with other creators to make a video, you will likely have a shared copyright. 

Similarly, if you create a video while an employee, your employer might own the video. It’s important to know that situations like this exist and will affect how you can register your copyright.

Why video pros should know the basics of copyright and licensing

Being a busy video professional means you don’t have time to worry about getting sued for using stock imagery for B-roll. Having an introductory knowledge of copyright helps you avoid legal entanglements, dodge penalties, and skip paying big fees. 

Protect yourself with licensing 

There are many ways to get the rights to use someone else’s work. 

First, start by assuming that you need permission from whoever created the thing you want to use. So even if it’s something little or you’re not using much of it, you should assume that you need permission. In copyright circles, getting that permission is called licensing. 

Licensing means that the creator of a video gives you the all clear to use the footage, image, etc.

If the original creator accuses you of infringement, you point to a valid license as a complete defense against copyright infringement. Without a license, you’re gambling with some big legal problems.

For example, you might have to pay large legal fees and damages when using a video without proper license.

Avoid copyright infringement

There are two words every video professional should dread: copyright infringement.

Luckily, the easiest way to avoid infringement is to get a license for anything you want to use in your videos. 

Copyright infringement can change your life…and not in a good way. Penalties for infringing someone’s copyright range from a few thousand dollars ($$$$) to hundreds of thousands ($$$$$$). Yikes. 

Not to mention dealing with aggressive attorneys and the time and energy needed to defend yourself. And excuses like “I didn’t know,” “It was an accident,” or “I only used a little!” typically won’t work. 

Now, there might be situations where you don’t need one. Still, you should consult an attorney to understand how these situations work. For example, if you want to use Fair Use to incorporate footage in your video, then you should have legal advice reassuring you it’s appropriate to use.

Another thing to note is that even beyond the financial and legal penalties for infringement, many platforms have policies that kick off repeat infringers (for instance, YouTube’s three strike policy). As a video pro in today’s crowded market, you need as much digital real estate as you can get. Getting blacklisted from YouTube? Not a flex.

Well, what is Fair Use, exactly? 

Fair use is not what many people think it is — and that can cause big problems. 

Fair use allows people to use other peoples’ creative work without permission if they use that work for criticism and commentary on the original work or to transform it into something else.

–

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about fair use. For instance, “If I use less than X amount of something, it’s fair use” is a classic, as is “We’re a non-profit, so it’s fair use.”  

Neither of these misconceptions are true. Fair Use comes into play when a video or creative product is used for: 

• Commentary
• Educational purposes
• Criticism
• Transformative use (this basically means the work is transformed in a new and unexpected way that doesn’t violate the original copyright)

This is just scratching the surface on the topic. If you want to know more about fair use, the US Copyright Office provides an excellent overview. It’s recommended that people consult a legal opinion when considering fair use, as the doctrine can be rather slippery and a mistake can lead to huge consequences.

Then what does non-copyright video mean? 

Certain types of videos have different copyright rules. Here are a few of them.

• Creative Commons videos have specific licenses you must abide by. Creative Commons doesn’t mean it’s a free-for-all. Pay close attention to the rules of each Creative Commons license to ensure you understand what you can and cannot do with this type of resource.
• Stock video makes it easy to license video from a variety of places. Different license structures let you use as much video as you need.
• Public domain videos mean a video is so old that its copyright has expired, making it free to use.

How can you tell if a video is copyrighted?

By default, all video is subject to copyright law. Assume you need permission and seek permission. An exception would be public-domain videos; these are so old that anyone can use them.

If you’re curious whether a video is in the public domain, you can Google public domain calculators online, which are often databases put together by different universities. However, don’t rely solely on these tools. Even though they offer some idea about whether or not something is in the public domain, it’s not a perfect system. 

Frequently asked questions about video copyright

Can video be copyrighted? 

Yep! Since copyright protects creative works and videos are a type of creative work, copyright protects videos. Like books, music, films, and other creative works, videos are protected by copyright law. That means that nobody can use a creator’s videos without permission from the creator.

How long is video copyrighted for?

Video copyrights last for quite a while. Currently, video copyrights last for 70 years plus the life of the author and 100 years from publication for a corporation. (This isn’t set in stone, and is subject to change at any time, which is yet another reason to keep yourself apprised of the latest in copyright law!)

How do I copyright my own videos? 

Good news! When you create something, it’s automatically copyrighted. But that’s not the end of the story. You also need to partner up with a lawyer and register your work. 

Key takeaways

Knowing more about how video copyrights work can transform how you do business, whether that’s: 

• Changing how you source B-roll to make sure it has the appropriate licenses.
• Lawyering up to protect your own videos in the event of an infringement 
• Learning how to get rights to use someone’s creative right the first time, with fewer headaches 
• Knowing how much your own footage is worth, in case you ever want to make a little side money licensing it 
• Not going it alone, which is key for the scrappy video pro just getting started. You can’t know what you don’t know! 

Since copyright law is ever-changing, the work of learning about copyright law is never complete. Even an introductory-level understanding of copyright as a video professional will help your video production business thrive in the long run. 

Remember: this intro to copyright law isn’t legal advice. Don’t use this information without guidance from expert legal counsel who are qualified to help creators with the nuances of copyright law.**

Want to join a community of fellow video professionals? Become a Vimeo Expert.

**This article was written in November 2022 and published in January 2023, so contents herein may not be the most up-to-date information available.

If you’ve ever watched a video, streamed something live, or joined a virtual event, odds are…you’ve seen a lower third in action. 

For marketers, lower thirds can be your BFF — they provide extra info in frame at just the right time, help introduce experts and speakers, and weave your branding effortlessly into every shot. Once you start seeing lower thirds, you’ll notice them everywhere. (You’re welcome. ) 

So, we’ve put together a complete overview, from design and structure to best practices and how to create high-quality, professional lower thirds. Let’s get into it. 

What is a lower third?

Lower thirds (aka L3s) are broadcast graphics that add additional context to the main image on screen — typically within the (you guessed it) lower third of the frame. However, they don’t necessarily need to be on the lower third of the frame! As with all things video, creativity is encouraged.

You’ll see lower thirds all over the place, like on: 

• Live streams 
• Films and documentaries
• Virtual events and webinars 
• Broadcast television
• Social media (for example, encouraging viewers to like and subscribe)

When do you use a lower third? 

Lower thirds serve to provide secondary information that’s helpful for the shot, but not necessarily essential. It has to strike the right balance. First, identify primary information that may need its own graphic. 

Sometimes people put too much info in L3s, so it’s important to know what secondary information needs to go in your lower third. Less is generally more, and you can save wordier info for a standalone graphic or frame. 

Balancing primary and secondary information is a constant work in progress!

Remember: while lower thirds are important, they’re always going to be secondary information in comparison to your film, live stream, or webinar feed. Think of them as labels to strategically display secondary information like:

• Names
• Locations
• Pull quotes 
• Extra context
• Social media handles
• Secondary graphics 
• Calls to action 

Examples of lower thirds 

At Vimeo, our awesome customers are using lower thirds in their videos, live streams, and programming allllllll the time. Take a look at LakePoint Community Church in Atlanta, who leveraged Vimeo’s OTT platform to live stream their 9am and 11am worship services. 

Faith channels can use L3s to pull out a quote from a specific reading or scripture passage. So, when a speaker instructs a congregation on a reading, the lower third displays the excerpt for several seconds to give viewers a chance to flip to the correct page or verse. 

Once the passage is read, they’ll give the entire text its own slide to reinforce the importance of the messaging.

Another great use case for lower thirds are sports live streams. L3s often appear on screen for the entire broadcast, teasing what’s up next. Sports broadcasters can also share nail-biting score updates during halftime without overshadowing the performers. 

However, more complex topics — such as a lineup or post-event commentary — are best expressed on its own graphic, not a lower third. 

What are the design elements of a lower third?

There are six key considerations to designing a killer L3: 

1. Typography
2. Colors and contrast
3. Simple animations
4. Closed captions 
5. Branding 
6. Timing 

Let’s dive deeper into each one. 

Typography

Typography for your lower thirds should be helpful and non-obtrusive. Legibility is key when considering your fonts. If you have any hesitation about legibility, opt for a safer font, like a san serif with minimal flourishes. 

Colors and contrast

L3s should not use the biggest, brightest colors in your brand book. Colors placed on top of each should be easy to read. To make sure your color palette and contrast is accessible, try using the a11y contrast checker. 

For live streaming content where you may not have control over the composition of the video, use high contrast colors. Save lower contrast colors for on-demand video. 

Animations

When it comes to animating your lower thirds, keep it simple. Save your flashiest animations for places where it’ll make a big impact. 

The golden rule for animations on lower thirds? Make sure the animation pauses long enough to allow the viewer to read through the content twice. Repeat the content of the lower third twice — like a long name or location — in your head and clock that time. That is how long it should be on screen as like a pause before it dissolves. 

For accessibility, follow the three-to-one principle with colors and animations. In other words, don’t use more than three colors or three flashes in one second. Be mindful that too many flashes can affect those with visual sensitivities, epilepsy, etc. 

Size and closed captions

Consider the location and sizing of both your typography and any closed captions that appear while your lower third flashes on screen. Another consideration is the location of closed captioning in your webinar, virtual event, or film — will the captions cut into your lower third and distract from the messaging? 

For virtual events and panel discussions, ask yourself: Are there differences in the size or position for live speakers versus other information or introductory information prior to a live session? 

If the treatments are different, they’ll need to be differentiated visually. Think primary and secondary fonts, or using certain graphics and elements specifically for speakers. 

You’ll also want to apply this principle to sports or news broadcasts, film segments, documentaries, and webinars. 

Branding

If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? For marketers, this age old adage transforms into: If viewers don’t leave your virtual event, webinar, or panel with your brand top of mind, can you even measure the impact? 

Including your brand kit and your logo is critically important. This will create a cohesive look and feel for your programming, and on a practical level, make it easier to templatize for the future. 

Again, simplicity of design will make all the difference. Your branding shouldn’t distract or overwhelm the useful messaging of your L3.  

Timing

The general rule of thumb is to display your lower third with enough time for viewers to read it twice. Some people are slower readers than others, so keep that in mind as you’re planning your run of show. 

Lower third structure

The structure of your lower third all depends on its primary storytelling purpose within your content. There are three tiers to note: 

1. One-tier lower thirds: Usually used to identify a story that is being shown, or to show a presenter’s name.
2. Two-tier L3s: Used most often to identify a person on screen. Often, the person’s name will appear on the first line, with their place of residence or a description below it. Two-tier lower thirds may also be used as “locators” to identify where a story is taking place
3. Three-tier lower thirds: Add even more information! 

Best practices for creating a lower third for your live stream

Live streaming content happens on the fly. This means the composition of the space, the speaker’s movement and gestures, video inputs, and additional graphics can change and maintain a fluidity. Here are a few tips for using lower thirds in your next stream or event: 

• Err on the side of higher opacity to maintain legibility throughout the stream
• If you have auto-closed captioning enabled, test before your stream to ensure it doesn’t cut off your L3 
• Triple check speaker names, titles, and companies! Typos happen, but you want to catch them before hundreds of people are looking at your work 

How to create lower thirds in Livestream Studio

For Vimeo Enterprise users, you can create a lower third directly in your stream.

1. The first step to going live is creating your event on Vimeo. From your browser, go to your video manager, click New Video, then select Create live event. 
2. Be sure to enter the name, date, time, and privacy of your event. You will have the opportunity to edit all these components in a later step if needed. Click Next to continue configuring your event.
   
   
   
3. The live settings page is where you can configure and customize your stream as well as grab the event’s URL and embed code. There are three tabs: Event Tab, Appearance & Embed Tab, and Destinations Tab where you can configure all your event settings. 
4. Next, if you are using an external encoder you can select Stream via RTMP. This will bring you to the live preview page, where you can get the stream URL and key for your encoder and monitor your stream on Vimeo. 
5. You can also manage live features like chat, auto CC, polls, Q&A, graphics including lower thirds, before and during your stream.

For Livestream Studio users, visit Graphic Overlays in the Livestream Studio Help Center for more information.

How to create lower thirds with Vimeo

You can easily create lower thirds for your live events and webinars within our browser-based production tool. Here’s how:

1. To start, create a recurring virtual event or webinar and choose to Stream with Vimeo, you’ll be brought into our browser-based broadcaster page. 
2. On the broadcast page, click the Brand icon on the left side.
3. Below the logo setting, you can preview your lower third.
   
4. Click on Primary color to open the color window.
5. You can either drag and drop the color selector, or insert your brand’s exact color codes (we show the HEX code by default; click HEX to switch to RGB and HSL code types if you prefer).
6. Click out of the color picker and repeat these steps for your Secondary color
7. Click Save.
8. In order to show a lower third in your event or webinar, you’ll need to add it to a scene.

For more information, check out Vimeo’s help center on adding lower third graphic overlays. 

How to create lower thirds in After Effects

Adobe After Effects is a top choice for designers to create beautifully animated lower thirds and graphics for live or on-demand content. 

1. To start creating a lower third graphic, draw a rectangle on a new shape layer. ­Click Fill swatch and select a color. This is the base for your L3.
2. Next, animate the shape by selecting the shape layer in the timeline and press “U” twice on the keyboard to reveal its properties.
3. Save and export your graphic to use in your live or on-demand content. 

Final notes

Lower thirds add a simple, helpful touch to your videos, virtual event programming, and live streams, giving participants and viewers more information about subjects they care about. 

With the right approach and these best practices sharpened in your toolkit, you’ll avoid common pitfalls or content mishaps and instead design L3s that feel intentional, immersive, and true to your brand. 

Launch your next event with Vimeo.

In the world of digital, smaller is always better. Sure, creatives and video professionals alike will always chase greater pixel counts and larger RAW files. However, the real trick everyone wants is to make those big files smaller and more manageable (while still keeping the same high quality).

And how does that happen you ask? Compression, of course! 

Let’s take a look into the mysterious art of compression — and how you can specifically apply its magic to your videos. We’ll go over how you can compress video on a variety of devices (like iPhone, Android, Mac and PC) without losing video quality and explore some of the more popular video compressors available online.

What is video compression? 

In today’s modern digital video production process, video compression is quite regular and necessary because the majority of video files which you’ll deal with need to be reduce to make your workflows possible.

Wanna send a video file over email? You need compression.

Not sure what a ZIP file’s all about? That’s video compression.

When done properly, a good video compressor can reduce the size of a video file to nearly 1,000x smaller than the original. However, when done with the wrong software or in the wrong way, video compression can sometimes corrupt a file and make it unusable — so you want to make sure you’re using the proper software and following the right steps.

If you shoot video footage on your smartphone, for example, chances are it’s being compressed immediately and will be compressed even more throughout your transfer, editing, exporting and uploading process.

Overall, video compression makes it possible and easier to share files between any number of sources. Even video recorded on your smartphone is going to need compression to transfer it to cloud storage, your computer to edit it, or even to another person through email or messaging.

Do I have to compress a video in order to share it? 

This is another great question. And while the technical answer might be no, you don’t have to compress a video to share it. The vast majority of the time you probably should compress video before you share it. 

Unless you’re working in high-end video production, working with uncompressed video is going to drastically slow down your workflows and make data management nearly impossible when you start adding in larger and larger uncompressed files.

What is a codec, and why do I need to know? 

Moving right along…When discussing video compression we have to mention codecs. What are codecs and why are they important? A codec is a specific algorithm device or program which can compress video (and audio) data. Its name stands for “compressor-decompressor” as it can be used to encode or decode a data stream or signal.

Codecs are an important part of video compression as well as most video editing, sharing or streaming processes. Even if you aren’t super familiar with codecs, you’re actually most probably using them all the time without realizing it. Most computers and operating systems come preloaded with the majority of the codecs needed for playing and managing different video file types.

If you’d like to read more in-depth about codecs and the different types, here’s a great intro to file formats to check out.

What’s the difference between lossy and lossless codecs? 

Another factor to consider when looking into video compression is the distinction between lossy and lossless codecs. Let’s take a quick look at what those two terms mean and what you should keep in mind for your compression needs.

Lossy: these are smaller files overall and easier for all types of digital transfer and delivery. Lossy files are compressed following a method which is meant to be imperceptible to the human eye, which means that they are a great option for any video being streamed online. However Lossy files aren’t perfect and might not be the right option for anyone looking to do any more advanced editing, color grading or effects.

Lossless: these are larger files overall but still compressed and useful for speeding up transferring and delivery. Unlike Lossy though, Lossless files are compressed following a method which is meant to keep all of the original data intact. This obviously increases the file size causing slower playback, but also provides more information for those looking to work with raw data.

What are all the file types available? 

Now let’s go over some of the different file types which you might encounter when working with video compression. It’s important to understand these distinctions as you make your decisions as to how you want to compress your video files and where and how they might be used.

MP4

One of the most common video file format types, MP4 stands for MPEG-4 Part 14 and is the preferred format for any Apple device. It’s also quite popular for video and audio in general and is a great option for posting videos to social media channels like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

AVI

AVI stands for Audio Video Interleave and is the preferred format for any Windows device. It is compatible with the vast majority of operating systems (Windows, iOS and Linux) as well as most of the popular web browsers and social platforms. AVI is one of the higher quality formats for video, but also tends to be larger in file size.

FLV

FLV is a less-common but popular Flash video format. FLV is the preferred format used by Adobe Flash Player and Adobe AIR to compress and decompress audio and video streams online. There are two main FLV formats including F4V and H.264. It’s important to note though that FLV does not work with Mac devices.

MOV

This is one of the best video file formats for web and TV. MOV (also known as QuickTime Movie) is one of the larger file types but great for high-quality video, audio and other file type playback. MOV is designed for QuickTime on Windows but also works with most social platforms and streaming.

WMV

WMV is another larger but quality video file format. WMV stands for Windows Media Viewer and is obviously designed for Windows devices. WMV is comparable to MOV in file size with similar high-quality playback. Mac devices can view WMV videos but can only play them through Windows Media Player.

Watch our video tutorial on how to compress a video

Learn by watching? Peep this helpful tutorial video, or consult the step-by-step lists below.

How to compress a video in iOS and on Macs 

Now let’s look at some of the different tools available to you on your computer, smartphone or favorite video hosting, sharing, and services platform provider.

For compressing a video on Macs or your iOS iPhone, you have several options to consider. For Mac desktops or laptops, you can always compress a video in iMovie (or Final Cut Pro if you’re up to speed on with their popular NLE app). However your best bet might be to use QuickTime as it’s perhaps the easiest option.

Here are the steps you need to follow for compressing a video using QuickTime on your Mac:

1. Open QuickTime on your Mac
2. Choose and open your video
3. Navigate through File > Export As > Choose
4. Select the file format you’d prefer for your video
5. Choose your output file name and location
6. Hit the Save button

Another quick tip for working with compressed video on your iPhone is to simply go into your settings, navigate to Camera, then go to the “Record Video” section and select a lower resolution.

How to compress a video on Windows 10 

To compress a video on a Windows PC or laptop, using the built-in Windows Video Editor is a great option. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow:

1. Open Video Editor
2. Start a new video project card
3. Add the video file that you’d like to compress
4. Click the “Finish Video” button
5. Select the file format that you’d prefer for your video
6. Hit Export

How to compress a video on an Android 

Just as we went over creating smaller video files for your iPhone, you can follow a similar process with your Android devices as well. All you need to do is follow these steps:

1. Open your Android Device
2. Go to the “Application Menu”
3. Choose the camera icon
4. Select the “Resolution” icon
5. Choose your new recording format

How to reduce video file size online 

Along with the options above, you also have plenty of compression apps and platforms available to you online. Here are the steps to follow for using FreeConvert.com:

1. Go to freeconvert.com/video-compressor
2. Upload your video file (up to 1GB unless you want to create an account)
3. Select your Video Codec, Compression Method and Target Size
4. Click Compress Now!

Popular online video compressors

There are also plenty of other free video compression services available online. A few others include:

• Veed.io
• Clideo
• Online Converter
• Video Smaller
• YouCompress

Ready to keep learning?

You’ve also probably been already working with different file formats and codecs your whole life at this point, but just haven’t realized it. Hopefully these definitions, insights and resources have helped you gain a solid understanding of the basics of video compression.

These are only the basics though, so if you’d like to learn a bit more about video compression and how it works with your Vimeo uploads, renders and playback, check out our full video and audio compression guidelines.

Keep honing your video editing chops with these recommended reads:

• Looking for the best video editing software in 2021? Start here
• Here’s how to crop a video (without even opening your laptop)
• Video editing 101: Here are 6 basic tips every beginner needs to know 
• How to add music to any video: A step-by-step guide
• Unsure how to use Adobe After Effects? Start here

More video compression FAQs

The world of video editing is full of robust and beautiful colors — just like the world we live in every day.

But, if you’ve ever shot any footage on a smartphone (or perhaps a digital camera), you’ve probably noticed the colors you see in real life don’t always match up to what you’re seeing on your screen.

And while there’s a lot of reasons for this, any explanation into this phenomenon will cover a great deal of color editing theory — and in particular how color grading and color correction go into the process of digitally recreating the colors we see in real life.

But what are these two terms? And, more specifically, how can you use both color grading and color correction in your everyday film and video projects? Let’s answer all these questions in more detail in this complete guide to editing color in your videos.

Color grading vs color correction: what’s the difference? 

So, let’s tackle the biggest question of them all first. What the heck is the difference between color grading and color correction? We’ll get into more of the technical and nuanced differences below, but for now let’s use this short differentiation…

Color correcting is the process of correcting (or fixing) colors in a video or a film as a way to get them back to what they should look like for your project. Color grading is the process of grading (or editing) colors in a video or film as a way to give them a stylistic look.

Pretty simple, right? 

Great! Now let’s focus a bit more in depth into these two different techniques…

What is color correction? 

Let’s start with color correction because… well… because color correction is usually done first. This is because raw footage tends to be oversaturated and the colors need to be balanced out. 

And while there are several steps to the process of color correction, it’s important to clarify that the real end goal of color correction is simply to make sure footage looks exactly the way the human eye sees things. For example, if the white and black levels match what the human eye sees as white and black, then the rest of the colors should be balanced as a result as well.

However, if the footage you shot (or perhaps was given to you to edit) was very improperly balanced to begin with, the process can be quite tricky to complete without at least a little bit of expertise.

How to color correct in 5 steps 

Here are the five basic steps to color correcting footage regardless of what type of editing situation that you might find yourself in.

1. Normalize your footage as much as possible.
2. Fix your saturation first.
3. Then fix your brightness and contrast.
4. Set your new white balance.
5. Double check your skin tones.

Depending on your footage and editing experience, there are of course more steps which you could include for this process. However, for a basic guide to quickly balance and correct any regular footage needs, this process should set you on the right path for beginners.

[Video tutorial] Color correction vs. color grading

Color saturation vs. color brightness 

Another element which you should always consider in color correcting is the relationship between the color saturation and color brightness in your video. A lot of issues with poorly shot or colored footage comes from these two different elements.

In an ideal video setting, footage will be shot as flat and undersaturated as possible. If footage is oversaturated or too bright or dark, valuable information could be lost which can make your footage unusable. 

It’s the goal of the video editor (or ideally a colorist) to correct any of these imbalances as a way to make sure that there is enough leeway to make color grading decisions later in the process.

Color correction before and after 

Finally, to give you perhaps the best context, let’s take a look at this great video below which perfectly demonstrates the differences between color correcting and color grading before and after. 

As you can see, at its core, these differences between these two terms are pretty simple and easy to explain in 30 seconds or less. Yet, just because you’ve learned the basics of color correcting doesn’t mean you’re quite ready to dive into grading — which could be considered the more creative and advanced end of the spectrum.

What is color grading? 

Now, color grading is the next step, and this is where you can actually begin to create the aesthetic of your videos. But it’s important to note that this is an entirely optional process, especially if the film is meant to be as realistic as possible. 

However, the right color grading will always help convey a visual tone or mood to heighten the narrative. For example, you might want to use higher contrast and darker tones for a horror film, or inverted colors for a sci-fi shootout, as depicted in this fun video showcasing some different grade effects:

What are LUTs in color grading? 

Now, you might be asking yourself: how do you actually achieve some of the cool grades and effects as seen in the video above? While the answer will vary for each look and each editor, one trick we can share with you is that many of these grading looks are achieved by using LUTs.

What are LUTs you ask? Well, a LUT stands for “look-up table,” and is basically a quick cheat-sheet which filmmakers can use in camera, or more importantly, which editors can use in their edit to give their footage specific grade and look.

While we wouldn’t recommend just using LUTs for projects without understanding a bit more about how grading works, or how to tinker with your LUTs applied to your footage. In short, these tools can be huge timesavers and — with the right use — quite powerful for your projects.

Understanding color grading: how to color grade in 5 steps  

Before you start dropping LUTs into all your video edits going forward though, let’s go over some tips for understanding how to color grade. Here are the five basic steps to color grading your video footage:

1. Normalize your folate as much as possible.
2. Follow the steps to correct your colors.
3. Choose your desired look and style.
4. Make your color adjustments in your editing program of choice.
5. Double check skin tones and vectorscope.

Remember: color grading should really only be done after your video has been normalized and corrected so that you’re working off of footage that represents how it is meant to be seen. From there, the name of the game is painting (or grading) your footage to look now as you’d like for it to be seen.

Color grading before and after 

Compared to color correcting which can also be done subtly and with nuance, color grading is often what one thinks about when color editing where the differences in the before and after examples can be quite extreme.

Case in point: these two vastly different frames from the example video from above.

As you can see, while the first image certainly has been corrected and even perhaps graded a bit to display a warm room tone, it’s the second image that clearly looks like it comes from a completely different film.

With its undersaturated, gray film look, the second image is a great example of how a video editor can color grade a project to instantly evoke connotations of a different style and feel to bring the audience into a new scene.

How can I tell which my footage really needs? 

This is truly a great question as it outlines a common misconception in the world of video editing. For many non-professionals, the terms color correcting and color grading are used interchangeably. For example, “let’s correct the footage to look more like a David Fincher movie,” or “we can just grade out these color mistakes in post.”

While it can be a great goal to help educate your clients as to what the actual differences between color correcting and color grading are (you could always send them this article), it often falls on the filmmaker or video editor to try to understand what the client actually wants.

In most circumstances, clients want footage that looks correct and cinematic, which means they want both color correcting and grading. And while there was a time years ago where these tasks might have been done by different professionals, with today’s modern digital editing technology, and the vast amount of educational resources and tutorials available to editors, both these feats can be performed by you on your computer.

What tools can I use for color grading or color correcting? 

The real trick is to use the right tools. And believe me, there are a lot of tools available to you out there. However, in general I wouldn’t recommend attempting to do too much color editing on any of the free video editing platforms out there. Not because they’re not great programs for cutting together digital video content, but in many instances color editing does require some more in-depth tools and features.

Some great options for both color grading and color correcting are these popular video editing programs:

• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Final Cut Pro
• Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve
• Magic Bullet Colorista
• Fylm.ai

The first few options here are also basic NLE platforms which you can use for all of your regular video editing needs, however if you do desire to go even more in-depth into the world of color editing there are certainly plenty of programs intensely focused on just color.

FAQs 

Putting it all together

Hopefully these basic definitions, guides, and tips and tricks have given you a good understanding as to what the key differences between color correcting and color grading really are. At the end of the day though, color editing in general will always be what you make of it.

Just because footage was corrected and graded in certain ways before doesn’t mean you have to exactly follow the same steps for your own projects. It’s helpful to learn the basics, but feel free to explore the fascinating world of color on your own. 

Keep learning with Vimeo Video School.

If you’re new to the video production game, you’re probably getting caught up on all things gear-related. What is shutter speed, anyway? What about frame rates and frames per second (FPS?)

Shutter speed and frame rate are two closely related — and often confused — camera settings. The good news is, with a deeper look into what each setting means, you rely on them to really bolster your video making game.

Ready to see frame rates and shutter speeds in action? Scroll on for a helpful video tutorial.

What is a frame rate in video?

Frame rate is the number of individual frames that comprise each second of video. Also known as FPS (frames per second), the most common frame rates are 24, 25, and 30 frames per second.

What is shutter speed?

Shutter speed is the amount of time that each individual frame is exposed for. In video, shutter speed is almost always in fractions of a second. The number used in setting your shutter speed refers to the denominator of that fraction. So, if you set your shutter speed to 60, that means each frame is exposed for 1/60th of a second.

[Video tutorial] Shutter speed vs. frame rate

Here’s why frame rate can be mistakenly equated with shutter speed: some people believe that if they are shooting with a shutter speed of 1/100th of a second, that they are in turn shooting 100 frames per second. This is not the case.

Typical frame rate for shooting video is around 24 frames per second, (and sometimes 25 or 30). Shutter speed means you’re exposing each individual frame for 1/100th of a second.

(P.S. Unsure about other video editing terms? Here’s our A-Z glossary.)

Fast shutter speed vs. a slow shutter speed

A fast shutter speed such as 1/400th of a second will produce crisp frames that have a choppy look when played back. On the other hand, a slow shutter speed (such as 1/30th of a second), produces a series of blurred frames looks smoother when played back.

Even though you generally set shutter speed to be double the number of frames per second, you can achieve some stylistic effects by straying from the norm. Shutter speed will have a noticeable effect on the look of your video, especially when it comes to motion.

A faster camera shutter speed renders a high-energy, crisp tennis ball, while a slower frame rate gives you a blurry bouncing ball — and a more relaxed mood.

Don’t forget to play around with it! You may find that a higher or lower shutter speed will better suit the vibe of your video.

Frequently asked questions

Learn more helpful video lessons with Vimeo Video School.

Originally published in 2019, updated in June 2022.

Quick pop-quiz, hot shot! Who is the most important person on any film or video production set? Is it the director who has the overall vision? Is it the DP who sets every shot? Or is it the writer who details every action and line of dialogue?

Or, would you be surprised to learn that the answer isn’t any of the above? 

The most important person on any set — more often than not — is the all-important producer. The person behind the production that puts everything in motion, guides a project through completion, and oversees every element production from pre-production to post-production.

Video producers might not get the same marquee fame and glory, but they’re a hugely important part of the filmmaking process. For those looking to get started as a producer in today’s market, there’s a lot you should know up front.

What does a video producer do? 

Before we dive into all the great career advice for starting off as a video producer, let’s quickly go over the basics of what a video producer actually does. 

Now, keep in mind that the term “producer” can cover a wide range of job details that may vary from project to project. On larger projects there are also different levels of producers ranging from executive producers to line producers.

For the sake of clarity though, we’re going to focus on some of the most basic tasks which usually fall to a video producer. These tasks include the following:

• Finding the project (whether that be through a client, an investor, or simply developing a script).
• Creating a budget and schedule.
• Putting together the cast and crew.
• Overseeing production and keeping things on track.
• Hiring an editor and post-production team.
• Overseeing the editing process.
• Finalizing deliverables and securing payments from clients. (Or submissions to festivals and negotiating with buyers).

A more general way to think of a producer is as the person who guides a project through completion. A producer might not be physically writing the script, setting up the cameras, or making the edits, but they’re behind the scenes making sure all those things get done.

Qualifications you’ll need to be a video producer 

Now that we’ve gone over what a video producer does, let’s take a look at the qualifications you might need to actually be a video producer.

Here are some of the basic qualifications that you might need to be a video producer:

• In many cases, a Bachelor’s degree in film, media, or other creative field
• Background in film and video production
• Availability to work long and/or odd hours
• Working laptop and smartphone
• Budgeting, scheduling, invoicing software
• Skilled at project management and budgeting
• Excellent communication skills

As long as you’re familiar with film and video production and able to handle the sometimes long hours of overseeing a project, there aren’t many hard set regulations keeping anyone out of this role based on education or training.

Top skills for video producers 

That being said, we do need to stress that being a video producer is by no means an easy job. In fact, it can often be one of the hardest (and most mentally and physically draining) jobs at times when one is caught up trying to manage tight deadlines, large crews and big budgets.

If you’re serious about considering a career as a video producer, here are some skills which are crucial for finding success:

• Strong knowledge of all parts of production
• Good at communicating goals and timelines
• Great with budgets and spreadsheets
• Agile and able to quickly respond to calls and emails
• Able to stay focused on big picture results

A good video producer is someone who can keep several plates spinning all at once. You’ll need to be able to adapt on the fly and put out any fires (both literally or figuratively) on set while also keeping the overall goals of a project on track.

What are day-to-day tasks of video producers? 

All that being said, there are a lot of tasks which fall onto a video producer. However, these tasks can change day-to-day based on where a video is at in regards to the overall process. For example, at the start of a project a video producer might mostly be dealing with pre-production elements like scripting, location scouting and scheduling to get everything ready. Once a project begins actually filming the day-to-day tasks can change drastically, and even more so during post-production.

For the sake of clarity we’ve broken down the day-to-day tasks of a video producer for each stage of a video production.

Pre-Production:

• Meet with clients or investors
• Develop scripts and storyboards
• Hire a director and put together cast, crew and services
• Secure locations and insurance
• Oversee budget and schedule

Production:

• Stay in touch with department heads
• Help solve any issues that come up
• Review dailies to make sure the project is on track

Post-production:

• Secure all assets and resources needed
• Hire editor and/or post-production specialists
• Oversee edits and review drafts
• Upload final drafts and/or share with clients
• Make sure all contracts are paid and finalized

It’s understandable that a video producer’s role can change drastically based on what the overall needs of the project are each day. Sometimes it can be quite short work to check in on a shoot, whereas others it can be handling lots of issues at once.

Choosing what types of video to produce

We also should discuss the different types of videos which a producer might be needed to work on. The film and video industry covers a wide variety of niches. From big budget features to short form content for social video apps like TikTok, it’d be hard to say that any two video projects are alike in terms of budget and scope.

As such a video producer’s role can also vary drastically from project type to project type. However, when first starting out, if you can find yourself working within a specific niche (or particular type of video project) regularly you can begin to streamline your skills and routines.

To give you a better understanding of what we’re talking about, here’s a short list of some of the different types of niches that exist in film and video:

• Animated and motion graphic video content
• Broadcast commercial video
• Corporate videos (live action or animated)
• Digital commercial video
• Indie feature films and shorts
• Music videos
• Real estate video
• Social media video content
• Wedding films
• Vimeo or YouTube video content

The trick is to find the right types of videos for you. For example if you like working on arthouse film sets, it helps to be creatively minded and flexible to explore new ideas and inspirations. Whereas if you want to work more regimently in corporate video, it’s helpful to be more task-oriented and focused on schedules and deliverables.

Growing your video production business 

At the end of the day, as video content has grown more accessible and easier to do for solo entrepreneurs, the roles of the video producer are often also the roles of the run-and-gun videographer or filmmaker. If you find yourself trying to build your own brand and grow your own video production business, more often than not you’re going to need to serve as the video producer — along with the writer, director and editor as well.

Still, learning the basic skills of video producing, along with refining your expectations and growing as an organizer and communicator will always help you in all aspects of video production.

Here are some final tips to keep in mind for being a better jack-of-all-trades video producer:

• Set a schedule and stick to it
• Build your network of different film and video professionals, like Vimeo Experts or our For Hire marketplace
• Join a producing guild or other similar organization
• Reminder: the project isn’t done until everything is delivered and everyone has been paid

It should be of no surprise that many of these tips should also help you as a small business owner or manager of your own brand. Sadly, for many the best way to learn is by trial and error, so keep that in mind as you start off on your own video production journey.

Wrapping up

Hopefully this article has answered some of the questions you might have about what a video producer is, what the job looks like, what skills you might need, and how you can become one in today’s market.

Want more insight into the lives of video pros? Join Vimeo Experts.

Do you ever wonder what makes some videos stand out compared to others? It sometimes can be hard to put your finger on, but certain videos simply feel like they’re doing something… more. But what is that feeling? And what is that specific technique?

Today we’re going to talk about video overlays and explore how you can incorporate them into your edits. Now, there’s a few different types of video overlays:

• Overlays used as an effect to make your videos pop
• Overlays that add interactive elements to make videos stickier and more engaging

Let’s explore both of these types of overlays and really break down how you can master these helpful editing techniques.

What is a video overlay? 

So, let’s start with some basic definitions.

A video overlay is simply a term for any time that you have a video and you add another video layer on top of your original video.

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The goal of this extra layer is not to replace or cover your original video, but rather add an extra element or give footage a texture or feeling.

You see video overlays all the time with examples ranging from TV news productions to some of your favorite cinematic films. Any time an extra element is added to your video whether that be for context or effect, you’re working with video overlays.

Add video overlays with Vimeo Interactive

Here’s an example of what video overlays look like and how they can be used to make a video more interactive.

These videos are much more than just having a single person talking into a camera. These extra elements (aka video overlays) provide a great deal of context and pose a call-to-action with hotspots for viewers to click on.

What software can I use to add overlays to my video? 

Now let’s go over how to actually add overlays to your videos. However, before you start picking out elements or uploading textures, you’ll need to decide on the best video editing software for your needs. 

Depending on your level of experience you can go with a more advanced NLE like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. Or, if you’re looking for a quick plug-and-play option you can use an app like Flixier or even use Vimeo’s very own interactive video platform

There’s no wrong choice of software to use as long as you’re comfortable with the level of sophistication for creating versus uploading your assets, as well as deciding on how much control you want in terms of opacity and blending different elements and textures into your video. 

How to put overlays on your video

So, how do you actually put overlays into your video? With Vimeo’s new interactive video capabilities, creating a video with overlays throughout is a breeze.

Let’s go over some basic steps for adding overlays to a video with Vimeo.

1. Create or upload your video directly to Vimeo
2. Select the timestamp that you want the overlay to appear
3. Position and style your overlay within the video
4. Select your overlay ‘actions’, from links to information panels, and much more
5. Finish and preview your creation
6. Save, share, embed and distribute your masterpiece

I’d generally recommend doing as much editing to your base video as possible before adding in extra elements like overlays as it can get quite tricky to edit both at once.

What are the different types of video overlay effects? 

As mentioned before, there’s really two different types of overlays which you might want to use for your video projects. 

1. Overlays for interactivity

The first type of overlays are the shoppable interactive hotspots which we saw in those example videos above. These types of overlays are what you might see on news programs or sports on TV where there are smaller boxes or other elements like graphics or text. These are great overlays to add to videos for your Vimeo (or YouTube) channel as a way to encourage click-through from your video to another video, a product page, etc.

2. Overlays for oomph

The other types of overlays which are often used, but not quite as noticeable, are the overlays which add subtle texture to a video. Examples of these might include film grain, VHS glitches, or other layers of smoke, dust or particles which are used to give videos a more cinematic, real and muddled look. You can either create these overlays yourself or purchase packs online with different options to blend into your videos to give them that more cinematic style.

Putting a bow on video overlays

Hopefully these definitions and examples have given you a solid understanding of what overlays are and how to use them in your videos. Remember, overlays are really meant to be used as an added bonus to your original content. If you really want your videos to be successful you should focus first on the fundamentals of filmmaking by creating solid content which viewers can engage with on its own.

From there, adding these overlays — whether they be interactive elements or cinematic textures — should really just be the icing… not the whole cake.

Spice up your interactive video marketing with Vimeo.

And as the Gen Z workforce continues to challenge norms and improve communications through technology, video resumes are quickly becoming that next big thing. 

What is a resume video? 

While a written resume is still a crucial tool used by job seekers to list relevant job skills and experience, a video CV is where candidates can show off those soft skills and other qualities that are hard to define on paper.

Video resumes allow applicants to make an impression with their personality traits instead of relying solely on their achievements. And, video resumes are a great way to show potential employers short clips of you working with team members or screen captures of your current projects.

When exactly should I send a video resume? 

For creative positions like social media management, graphic design, or performance-based careers, a visual aid can help capture your skills more effectively.

Although digital transformation is reaching its peak, not all businesses are using savvy digital  business tools for important tasks such as keeping track of profits, let alone watching video resumes. Know your audience, and when in doubt, ask.

7 video resume do’s and don’ts 

Let’s go over some basic do’s and don’ts of creating a video resume:

1. Do – Be yourself 

For best results, be your most authentic self and show off what makes you unique. 

2. Don’t – Make things too personal 

Leave out the family drama, don’t cry on camera, and keep it professional. And don’t say anything on a video resume that you don’t want out on the internet for the rest of eternity. 

3. Do – Dress the part 

Make sure that you dress the way that you would as if you were going to an in-person interview with your future boss. Present yourself to express your personality while still maintaining a professional vibe. 

4. Don’t – Sound like you’re reading off a script 

Having a script is important to keep your short video resume focused, but if you’re reading from a poster behind the camera, hiring managers are likely to notice. 

5. Do – Come prepared with notes 

You definitely don’t want to wing it on a video CV. It’s important to have notes to keep you on track.

6. Don’t – Rely on a video CV alone

A video resume is meant to augment your written CV, and highlight skills and experience that are hard to communicate on paper. Send them over a copy of your CV along with your video resume. 

7. Do – Keep it short

Like Tik Toks, video CVs should only be about 30 to 90 seconds long, or else it’s unlikely employers will carve out time to watch your video. Remember, you want to engage them, show them who you are, and make them want to pick up the phone and call you. Don’t bore them. 

How to make a video resume that screams “hire me” 

Here’s what it takes to make a video resume that will fill your inbox with job offers: 

Write a script

While you may not go off the script verbatim when you record your video CV, it’s nice to have to support a seamless presentation of your hard to quantify skills and abilities. Plan what you want to say in advance to avoid becoming tongue-tied or leaving out a cool project that you want to show off. 

Prep your filming space

Even if you’re not a pro, it’s crucial that your video resume looks and feels like it was made by a professional. Start by prepping your filming space with a neutral background and comfortable lighting. Choose where you will sit, what camera angles you want to capture, and whether or not you need any props. 

Set up your recording device

Whether you are using a smartphone, computer, tablet, or digital camera, make sure that it can capture high-quality images and audio so that your video resume comes out clear and professional. Make sure you set it up at the right angle and make sure the camera captures you fully. 

Record a few takes

You’re probably not going to nail it on the first take. That’s ok! One of the perks of pre-recording your video resume is that you can go back and take it again as many times as you want to get it just right.

Don’t forget about B-roll!

B-roll is video that supports your main video content. In a video CV, this could be film of you in action or views of your current office. Use visuals that are both engaging and relevant to your work, your skills, and the job you are applying for. 

Edit your video like a professional

It’s time to put your best foot forward! Review your footage and choose the best takes to include in your video resume. There are many video editing software products that are free to use forever or for a limited time. If you want your video to stand out and impress potential employers, do not skip this step.

Ask for feedback

Have a friend or coworker review your video resume and provide you with constructive feedback that you can use to improve your video before sending it off to potential employers. Your end result should be clear, organized, professional, and adequately represent what you have to offer an organization to make a five-star impression. 

3 ways companies can recruit talent using video

Using video to recruit talent is much like building a sales pipeline for your business or website. If you’d like to recruit talent using video, it’s important to consider your audience and market the job opportunity to the right audience.

Here are a few tips for companies that want to start using video to recruit future talent:

• Optimize your video title and description. Use keywords to make sure that the algorithm has plenty to work with to get your video in front of the right users. 

• Include a CTA. Recruiting talent is a lot like marketing. Give viewers a clear indication of what they can do next to learn more or apply for an open position. 

• Publish your video on multiple channels. There are many places to post your talent recruitment videos such as social media platforms, job board sites like ZipRecruiter or Indeed, and video platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, or Vimeo. 

Wrapping up 

While the jury is still out on whether or not video resumes will replace written CVs completely, there are some strong arguments for their effectiveness. Video resumes allow applicants to speak to employers directly while highlighting their best qualities in an accessible video format. 

Ready to show off your skills in a new and unique way?

Explore our easy-to-customize video resume templates.