Learn Video Before 2020 | Stoke-Ness
Love it or hate it, winter is here.
I harbor both feelings, but this year I’ve made some changes starting with buying season passes to my local ski hill for the whole family. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that staying active in the cold months makes me happier than anything else.
In this month’s issue, I share a the video editing software I use, my favorite video of the year and a gift guide for yourself or friends and family.
I’ll even share a workshop that will have you learning how to make videos before 2020.
Be stoked,
Isaac
Who I'm loving on Instagram
Gulf Coast Ag
I found this account via a promoted post. Shocker I know, IG actually gave me an ad for something I wanted to see lol.
I love the tones of the images and the scenes of ranch life in Australia. It feels both timeless and immediate. I grew up on a farm and worked on ranches until my 20’s. I feel very nostalgic for photos like these that take me back and let me know there is a working world out there that is hidden from most people’s minds.
Give the account a follow HERE
Photo/Video Technique
Make Short Form Videos by Jesse Driftwood (GIFT IDEA)
Jesse taught me a lot about video. When I first saw Jesse’s videos, I knew he had a special talent. In fact, I paid for him to fly out to Montana just so we could hang and I could learn some of his techniques.
Now he has a course on how he makes short-form video. Right now it’s only $99 and that’s about $700 cheaper than the plane ticket I bought to get him to teach me. Get the video creator in your life a gift they actually want, or get it for yourself and finally learn to make videos like you want to before 2020.
Get it Here
New Places
Big Sur CA back roads
I’ve driven through Big Sur before, I’ve even camped up high in the mountains overlooking the ocean. I had never really spent much time finding off the track spots.
Two weeks ago I changed that. I spent a week with my brother intentionally scouting out every back road and nearly every day hike we could find.
I won’t tell you every spot, because I think that half the fun is in finding places on your own, but here are two of my favorite places that I didn’t know about until I stumbled upon them.
Big Sur River gorge. I found this canyon by seeing it marked on a map. Yep, an actual map. We parked at the Pfeiffer Big Sur campground day-use area and started hiking up along the river. The trail isn’t really marked and eventually stops altogether. You have to scramble from huge boulder to huge boulder, but eventually, you will reach a large pool of cold, crystal clear water. There is a rope hanging on a cliff on the far side of the pool, tempting you to make the swim and climb above the final waterfall. Jump off the cliff back into the pool and dry off on the perfect secluded beach. This is an amazing spot that takes some effort to get to but is far away from the crowds.
Plaskett Creek Road. I won’t say much about this road, just that you should drive it if you have a 4 wheel drive and a few hrs. It’s hard and dusty (or impassable when wet) but the views are my favorite in Big Sur.
Gear
Final Cut Pro X
Two years ago I decided I wanted to start making videos. I jumped right in and subscribed to Adobe Premier video editing software for $40 a month. As with all Adobe software, it was insanely powerful but also had a steep learning curve. I tried in vain to become prolific while my 2015 Mac Book Pro struggled to render (load and save) the video with Premier.
Then I started using Apple Final Cut Pro X.
This was a game-changer. Much more intuitive than Premier, it allowed me to make more videos without feeling like I was fighting software to do it. Because Apple makes the software, it works way better with my Macbook too. It renders faster and crashes almost never (a huge problem with Premier). $300 will pay for a lifetime license and updates as long as they make that software. Usually, Apple makes the Final Cut editions for 6-10 years before a totally new version. That means its much cheaper than Adobe too.
If you are thinking about getting into video then I strongly recommend you use Final Cut Pro X. You will have a better chance of sticking with the learning curve and making videos you can be proud of.
Buy it HERE
Music I'm Diggin'
All Is Well by Toulouse
This song is just what we all need during what can be a stressful season. The beat and the words are positive and make me smile when I’m listening to them. Not cheesy or Pop, but genuinely mood changing for the better.
9/10 would recommend.
Give it a spin on Spotify here. (or hit the play button above)
Videos, Movies, and TV
A Mile An Hour
This video is a really fun concept about getting as much done in a 24 hr “marathon”. Beau runs a mile every hour and does a task from his list that he hasn’t got around to for years. It’s inspiring, fun and makes me want to get out and get things done that I've been procrastinating.
It might be one of my favorite films of the year.
Watch it HERE (or click the play button above)
Reads
Christmas Gift Guide (and Books)
I know you have seen many gift guides already, and hopefully you have already bought all your gifts for the year (you are a superstar if you have). For those of us that haven’t even started or even thought about what to buy our freinds and family I have created a simple gift guide that will help. You might even find something you want to hint to your family for yourself.
Be stoked and have a great month,
Isaac
