I started this project by writing down topics I wanted to highlight, and then researched these topics. I then searched for the photos that reflected each topic. I placed the photos in order as to how I wanted to present and talk about them. I then built out my script. I then created the video. I then did my voiceover in the Voice Memo app on my phone. I had to cut my script down in 2/3, as it was way too long, compared to duration of each photo in the video. Each image displays for approximately 7-8 seconds.
I made this video in CapCut using 15 high-quality images from iStock.com, Pixabay.com, and some that I personally captured on my Apple i-phone 16 ProMax this past Summer in North Redington Beach, FL. To bring life to these photos, I incorporated the Ken Burns effect (panning and zooming) on a couple of the images. Additionally, I added smooth and fun transitions between some of the photos. I used a combination of fading in, fading out, traveler, fade to black, and turbulent swing. Additionally, I added captioning to two of the images. I also added text to three of the photos labeling 3 of the 8 Pelican species types I discussed: American White Pelican, Brown Pelican, and Pink-Backed Pelican.
For the audio, I recorded my own audio narration, timing it to each of the slides. This process longer than anticipated as I initially had too much content in my script. I then had to work on pacing my speech to have it aligned with each slide.
I then found audio on Incompetech.com to use as background music. Next, I extracted both the audio: music and my voice narration and overlaid both into my video. The volume of my narration is set to Full volume, and the background music is set to 10%. I then completed my final edits and uploaded the final video onto YouTube and set it to Public.
This video taught me a lot about scripting, editing, and incorporating visual effects. I will say the hardest part, was narrowing my script down to match the timing of each photo. If I would have left it in its original state, it probably would have been a ten-minute video. I hope you enjoy this video and learn some new facts on Pelicans.
Click on the image of the Pelicans to take you directly to the Educational Video. If you experience diffiulties, and are not able to view the video this way, then select the link below titled "Educational Video" to take you directly to the video.
