Over the years I developed a few systems and processes to help streamline the work I do. I thought it might be helpful to share some of my favourite tools that I use on a daily or weekly basis.
Hightail
When sending video files, email is not going to cut it. I use Hightail (previously known as YouSendIt) to upload videos or any other files that are over 5Mb in size. It is possible to upload files as large as 2Gb but I haven’t pushed that limit yet.
The recipient receives an email notification with a link to download the file. You can also track who has downloaded the file (or if they haven’t downloaded it). This is a simple secure way to share you large files. And if the recipient needs someone else to download it – their webmaster for example, then they just need to forward the email with the link.
Because Hightail is part of my everyday workflow I am a subscriber to the service and it costs around $5USD a month. There is a free version with limited capabilities.
Other options for this include Dropbox and Google Drive. I also use both of these, but I prefer Hightail for when I need to send a file once and don’t need a copy of it in my system.
Screenflow
Screenflow is a screen capture program. It allows you to capture whatever is happening on your screen. You can then add effects to mouse clicks, mouse movements, highlight parts of the screen and pivot and twist the screen as well.
This program is designed for Macs. Camtasia does a similar thing on PCs. It is a great tool to capture a demonstration of a website or produce a How To of a program. You can also add your own existing media to the file to add on logos or other content.
Screenflow costs $99USD and it is a powerful editor in it’s own right.
http://www.telestream.net/screenflow/overview.htm
VLC Player
This free video open source player is designed to play any type of video format. It’s a great tool when you are stuck with some odd kind of video format.
It works on both Windows and Mac. You can download it from http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
Quicktime 7
The newer operating systems for Macs include a quicktime player. However the latest versions has less feature and functionality to Quicktime 7.
With Quicktime 7 I can output various versions, trim clips and save to MP4, or a dozen other formats.
It’s still available to download from Apple at http://support.apple.com/kb/dl923
Smartsheet
This is more of a productivity tool than a video tool, but I thought I’d mention it. Smartsheet forms part of my Google Drive environment. It is a project worksheet.
I can list projects and set rules for colour coding depending on what stage a project is at. I can also add attachments to a row such as the proposal document, the budget spreadsheet, and any other essential documents that relate to the project.
Because Smartsheet is cloud based it can be shared with other collaborators who need to contribute to or just check in on the project.
http://www.smartsheet.com/
What are your tools of the trade that you use everyday?
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Geoff Anderson is the owner of Sonic Sight, a video production facility in Sydney.He is an author, presenter and a video producer.
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