Learn about new Common Craft videos, useful resources, and the skill of explanation from Lee LeFever, author of The Art of Explanation.
Welcome to the Common Craft newsletter, a free resource for educators, communicators, and explainers. Subscribe or read past issues. Hello friends. I want to help you explain subjects like large language models or chatbots from a new perspective. These are great subjects for explainer videos because they're new, interesting, and complicated. Do you know what's not new, interesting, or complicated? PowerPoint (or Keynote). Yet, I'm truly excited about them. Why? Because they now do everything needed to create an animated video, complete with a voice-over. All About the Riff-RaffWhy PowerPoint and Keynote are Perfect for Creating Animated VideosWhen it comes to creativity, the right tools matter, but they can also get in the way. When a task requires expensive and complicated software, it becomes a barrier to experimentation and learning. They also help keep the riff-raff out of the big leagues. What a shame. Me? I’m all about the riff-raff because the riff-raff are my people. We are professionals who need easier ways to communicate and create media without headaches. We don’t care a lot about design awards and the perfect font. We have a job to do and need a better way. In my experience, amazing things are possible with the most common and affordable tools. What matters most is your ideas, your audience, and your goals. Unsung HeroesThe tools I’m using are both popular and much-maligned: PowerPoint and Keynote. Your eyes are rolling. I get it. But here’s the thing: PowerPoint or Keynote are unique because they provide everything needed to create animated explainer videos. Using these tools, you can explain a new policy, a multi-step process, or a complicated idea. They solve problems and bring ideas to life. The MagicWhen I say “animated videos” you may think of Pixar movies like Finding Nemo or Toy Story. Instead, I want you to think about South Park. The format and animations in South Park are simple and clunky compared to a Pixar movie. Yet, they’ve seen huge success. Why? Because of the writing. The magic of South Park is not the sophistication of the animations but the stories, jokes, and ideas in the script. Simple visuals play a supporting role. It’s your idea that matters. Today we have the help of AI in the creative process and it can be helpful. However, humans are required to know the audience to bring it all together. What's Required for Simple Animated VideosMost animated videos use the same process and flow. Whether it's a Common Craft video or a South Park episode, the video will require:
Consider the variety of media and tools in the list above. You can spend serious time and money learning professional tools for each step. Or, you can use PowerPoint or Keynote. Presentation Software to the RescueNext, let's consider the production process in the context of PowerPoint and Keynote. I’ve used them to create videos for years. Here’s what you can expect:
That’s all there is to it. It takes practice and a bit of instruction, but it’s not difficult once you understand the steps. Use CasesVideo production is a skill that lasts a lifetime. Once you get the process down, you’ll see opportunities everywhere. Options to consider:
Making an animated video sounds intimidating and has been in the past. Today’s presentation software has evolved to make it easier than you expect, and I can show you how to do it well. Learn more at the Explainer Academy. That's what I have for now. I'll be in touch again soon! Lee LeFever, Common Craft |
A free newsletter for communicators, educators, and explainers
Learn about new Common Craft videos, useful resources, and the skill of explanation from Lee LeFever, author of The Art of Explanation.
Welcome to the Common Craft newsletter, a free resource for educators, communicators, and explainers. Subscribe or read past issues. Hello friends, Last week, I shared news of our new free course: Become an Explanation Specialist. Thanks for enrolling! I'd love to know what you think... just hit REPLY. This week, I'm sharing a video of me brainstorming visuals for an upcoming Common Craft video. Brainstorming Video Visuals - Behind the Scenes Video Link to the post The visuals in a Common...
Welcome to the Common Craft newsletter, a free resource for educators, communicators, and explainers. Subscribe or read past issues. Hello friends, The Explainer Academy has been through a makeover and I'm inviting you to check it out. Free Course: Become an Explanation Specialist We've assembled a new free course that contains highlights and resources from our paid courses. It's full of videos and downloadable docs and covers both explanation skills and animated video production. You'll be...
Welcome to the Common Craft newsletter, a free resource for educators, communicators, and explainers. Subscribe or read past issues. Friends, How many times have you seen a new policy at work or a pitch for a new product, and thought: "Why does this feel so complicated?" It happens too often. A well-crafted explanation in the form of a brief video can solve this problem, and it's easier than you think. My Explainer Video Workshop (5 hours of live, online instruction) starts Wednesday, April...