Hey there!
This page will link you to many of the resources I mentioned in my VidSummit talk Video Workflow Hacks. Additionally, you’ll find links to the sample Notion project that I demo’d in the talk; feel free to look it over and copy as much of it as you like for your own editing workflow.
Planning and Workflow
- Notion
- My Notion video project template – I use Notion’s templating system to generate a new instance of this project for every new video.
Studio Automation
This is some of the gear I use to cut down on the time it takes to record video footage. (These are not affiliate links)
- GorillaPod Tripod Head – I keep these on every single tripod/camera mount that I own. Instead of taking 30 seconds to screw a camera onto a tripod’s mounting plate, these let me instantly snap a camera on or off of a tripod.
- Kasa Smart Plug Mini – a wall outlet add-on that can be turned on and off remotely. There’s an app, as well as an Alexa integration (which is what I use). All of my lights, as well as my audio recording device, are plugged into these. In the Alexa app, I’ve created a group that contains them all. This allows me to say, “Alexa, turn on video set,” and have all the lights and audio recording gear turn on (or off) at once.
- Echo Dot – the Alexa device I use to enable voice-activation in my studio. You could also simply use the free Kasa app that controls the smart plugs.
- Sound Devices MixPre-3 – the audio recorder I use for my videos. I’ll be honest; this thing is expensive. However, it’s the best solution I’ve found for recording studio-quality audio (recorded on a Rode NTG4+ shotgun mic) directly into the camera. This means I no longer have to sync audio in post; my high-quality audio is baked right into the video files.
Also:
- My overhead filming setup – a more in-depth look at how I build an overhead rig that can actually be folded up and put away.
- Cinestyle color profile for Canon cameras – not really an automation tool, but I get a lot of questions on my color grading. This is the color profile I use to get it.
Editing
- Frame.io – if you work with an editor and you’re not in the same room, this is essentially a must-use.
- Red Giant Universe – lots of useful effects and transitions I use in my videos.
- FX Console – best After Effects plugin in existence.
- Flow – easing curve automation
- JC Animation Creator – quickly build lots of easy in-and-out animations
- Motion 2 – many of my animation-reliant YouTuber friends swear by this. I mainly use it for quickly setting anchor point locations.
- True Comp Duplicator – in native AE, duplicating a composition (such as one of your templates) doesn’t make copies of any comps INSIDE it. The duplicated comp will just reference the originals – useless if you want to change them on a per-instance basis. This plugin TRULY duplicates comps, including any nested comps. An invaluable plugin if you create and use AE templates.