Getting The Most Out Of Stock Videos
Video editors, bloggers, and corporate trainers can get the best value out of footage bought from stock video libraries. Freelance video editors do not possess the in-house materials, time, and equipment to create stunning background shots for their projects. These editors can look for nature scenes, overhead shots of cities, and local views to accompany shots they filmed on their own. Stock footage can also be used as a backdrop for intro music, end credits, and stationary shots for any number of projects.
As the blogging world has developed from a niche industry to an important source of information, bloggers are looking for new ways to spruce up their posts. In addition to link baiting and quality information, bloggers can use royalty-free images and films from stock video libraries to keep readers hooked. For example, bloggers writing about the environment can find compilations of nature shots from a stock video library as the headers for their posts.
Corporate trainers use videos and PowerPoint to relay mundane information to new trainees and current employees. These presentations can be interspersed with visual elements to keep the attention of viewers and engage visual learners. Large companies can save hundreds of dollars while making their training sessions more valuable by using stock video libraries.
Trends In Online Stock Videos
The most significant trend in online stock videos is the use of online files instead of traditional tapes and reels. Stock video libraries all over the world can send footage that can be played on media players like Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, and QuickTime. This trend allows stock video libraries to send royalty-free videos to clients via email, eliminating delays in video editing that can be costly for small companies.
Another trend promoted by stock video libraries is the use of Creative Commons (http://creativecommons.org/) licenses to decrease barriers to video sharing. Creative Commons licenses allow originators of stock footage and original videos to dictate who can use their materials. For example, a videographer who allows a stock video library to sell his footage can ask for attribution from end users without requiring royalties. The Creative Commons trend has given smaller businesses access to stock footage and increased exposure for young artists with marketable materials.
Online Stock Video Libraries
The most popular stock video libraries in the United States are available 24 hours per day on the Internet. Source Stock Footage Library (http://www.sourcefootage.com/) has an entire database of shots and video clips that can be accessed using specific keywords. The company’s research team provides free research for video producers and companies looking for stock video compilations. Source offers customers video license fees on stock clips for prices ranging from $25 per second to $350 per second depending on the original publisher. For consumers who want hard copies of their stock videos, Stock can transfer files to VHS, Mini-DVDs, and other formats for use in editing labs.
FotoSearch® (http://www.fotosearch.com/) offers royalty-free stock videos as well as stock photography from dozens of publishing companies nationwide. This website has a full database of legal agreements offered by these publishers to ensure that stock videos are used properly. FotoSearch® has a CD store with creative stock videos covering topics from business management to fishing. Users can also pick up video and photo bundles on these topics to reduce the purchase price while getting multiple shots for an unfinished project.
America by Air® (http://www.americabyair.com/) offers a distinct approach to royalty-free stock videos by focusing largely on aerial views. The company has overhead shots of volcanic activity, airports, forests, and other subjects that are popular in videos and collages. Video editors can view demo reels of America by Air® stock videos through the company’s website. This stock video library has anticipated changes in video editing and production by offering high definition footage along with traditional clips.
If you are looking for a stock video library with a large inventory, Global Cuts (http://www.globalcuts.com/) may be your best bet. This website states that it has more than 100,000 video clips and 900 compilations available to its users. Global Cuts can distribute stock footage over the Internet using QuickTime files in addition to sending out DVD-R discs by mail. A point of interest for Global Cuts users is its collection of Epic packages, featuring affordable and royalty-free stock videos covering single topics like skydiving and Paris.
Creatas Images (http://www.creatas.com/) offers another option for stock video users who want royalty-free footage. Creatas offers video design and editing tools through its parent company, Jupiterimage, setting its website apart from other stock video libraries. The company’s website has an extensive library of HD footage along with stock photos and regular videos available for purchase. Creatas Images has thousands of titles under categories like police, animals, and backgrounds that can be inserted easily into videos.
Benefits Of Using Stock Video Libraries
The greatest benefits of using a stock video library are time and money saved on filming background and interstitial materials for a video project. Instead of sending out a film crew to get new footage for serial news stories, a director can use stock footage for the area in question. Editors and video artists can insert royalty-free stock videos into their works as backdrops for narrations and monologues. Stock video libraries allow directors and producers to spend resources on site-specific filming that cannot be replicated in stock footage.
Film students and amateur video artists can use stock video libraries to create buffer pieces for their projects. A film student can assemble a compilation of his short films by using stock footage for opening and closing credits as well as intermission shots. These shots can be overlaid with text and smaller video panels to create interesting effects without spending too much money.
Stock video libraries have moved beyond VHS tapes and video reels to help users drop in stock footage without much effort. Corporate trainers who are preparing welcome videos and trainee films can apply digital files quickly to reconstitute older training material. The evolution of stock footage from hard copies to digital files has made video editing less expensive and easier for the average person.
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Stock Video Libraries 
