25 Useful Resources for Video Pros
/Over the years, I've come to rely on a number of great services and resources in producing all types of video. Whether you're looking to build-up your skills, streamline your video business, or find that one shot you couldn't get, these links will help you succeed on a daily basis.
Accounting & Business
I love using Freshbooks. It makes creating quotes, sending invoices, and tracking expenses super easy. Great for small businesses or freelancers.
Want to accept credit cards? Stripe is the way to go. It's hastle-free and you don't need a merchant account.
If you're independent and need to file quarterly estimated tax payments, do it online!
Legalzoom is great way to incorporate your business, file a trademark, or create a trust. The process is simple and they have great customer service.
Have a government client interested in doing business with you? Make sure you're registered in this database so you're eligible to be awarded contracts.
Stock
A wealth of photos and illustrations. Great for motion graphics if you don't have the budget for a photographer or an illustrator.
Awesome site for stock footage that fits all budget levels. They even have music, sound effects, and motion graphics templates.
Dissolve's selection of stock video is first-rate. Very high quality footage with cinematic looks. They also have a great sense of humor when it comes to their marketing.
Their footage might be expensive, but they have the hard-to-find shots. For example, they are the only stock footage site with high-quality aerial footage of Washington, DC and the National Mall.
A collection of high-quality royalty free music. Great prices, easy search options, and lots of variations including short versions and loops.
Motion Design
Motionographer culls together motion graphics and visual effects work from artists and agencies all over the world. Great source of inspiration and the latest trends.
Interested in title sequences for TV & film? This is your place to view the greats. Lots of in-depth reviews and breakdowns of iconic and popular title sequences.
A great visual effects community that examines the latest trends in visual effects. These guys are incredible knowledgable. Tons of articles and interviews with artists.
A huge collection of scripts and plugins for After Effects. These are so helpful in automating repetitive tasks or adding functionality quickly. I use their scripts almost everyday!
Ever wondered what other designers think of a brand identity? This site reviews identities for brands big and small.
Training
Many of you probably use this site all the time, but it's worth mentioning. Lynda's media trainers are some of the best in business, so you can't go wrong if you want to learn new skills.
A great resource for learning color grading from three great colorists, including Washington, DC's own Robbie Carman.
I've been using Andrew Kramer's products and watching his tutorials for years. He covers everything and his After Effects plugins are fantastic.
Nick Campbell and his team have put together some of the best Cinema 4D training out there. They also make a bunch of useful 3D plugins.
EJ Hassenfratz worked in the Washington, DC area before moving to Denver, CO. His tutorials on how to blend 2D and 3D motion design work are invaluable.
Random!
Need to find a voiceover artist? This service lets you post your VO job, audition, and hire talent. There are thousands of artists with any voice you need.
If you're traveling for a shoot and need a production crew, reach out to Crews Control. They provide production services and reputable crews all across the country.
Captioning is big deal here in Washington, DC and Rev provides quick turnarounds on transcriptions, captioning, and subtitles. Quality work and great prices.
If you're delivering video for a big show or conference, the AV company may ask you for a LTC SMPTE Timecode wav track for syncing lighting effects. Generate one here.
A large online community for all things production and post-production. Lots of articles on equipment, techniques, trends and happenings in the video industry.