Make a video without a video camera!

Animoto is a very easy-to-use video program. Although an app is available, the desktop version has many more style options.

It is not necessary to take video footage to make a video. With Animoto, a combination of still images and text are transformed into an impressive video presentation. 

The following is a video I created from photos and video taken during the Great Backyard Bird Count. The photography isn't particularly great, but Animoto still makes a super video.

I've also made an "About Me" video for my Linkedin profile. For a recent school event, the photography wasn't good enough for prints, but it made a great video. It was a lot quicker than scrapbooking, too.

To start creating, you choose a style.

The style includes the background that your images or video will be superimposed upon along with music and animation.

If you don't like the music that goes with the style, there are additional music selections. Also, your own music can be uploaded.  Be aware of copyright protection laws when choosing music outside the Animoto selections.

Next, start uploading photos and/or video. Compose text and rearrange components to put together your final creation.

A free account allows you to make a 30 second web quality video with access to 300 tracks of music. For five dollars a month or $30 a year you can make a 10 minute video. A Pro account is $39 a month which allows 20 minute videos with access to 2000 commercially licensed music tracks. Like everything else on the internet, these terms are subject to change. I can see a corporation using a Pro account to quickly produce videos for employee meetings or sales presentations.

Instructors should be aware that there are 6-month Animoto for Education trials where students can produce videos of unlimited length.

The company has a funny video on their website about their history.