Animoto

Vision

• Animoto is a cloud-based video creation service that produces video from photos, video clips, and music into video slideshows.
• This program helps the University of Idaho create single-topic informative on-brand videos that allow the viewer to stay focused on one takeaway.

Types of Stories

• Single topic breakdown videos. 
• Feature stories, important events or projects.
• A single part of a larger concept.
• Simplified research for a broad audience.
• Ex: Vandal House
• Ex: Virtual Labs

Animoto Examples

Story Format/Video Length

• Start with a photo.
• Place video and photos in between.
• End with a graphic.
• Videos can range between :45 and 1:30 as necessary.

How We Tell Our Story

• Begin with a power statement.
• Label each sequence with a topic title — follow with information regarding the given topic.
• (End/graphic:) Bring the topic back to "you" (our audience).

Power Statement Examples

• What if we could reduce the carbon footprint of jets?
• Thinking big is nothing new for one U of I physicist.
• At U of I, we uncover and share new ideas every day.

Videography

• Animoto videos are created from short videos, photos, music and text to honor our past, celebrate traditions and define our identity.
• Each slide is about four seconds long and comprises:
• B-Roll: Supplemental or alternative clips intercut with the main shot.
• A-Roll: Primary footage referring to talking heads or footage that directly relates to the theme. 
• The videos are still and focused but have slight movement to ensure it's still a video.
• Variety is necessary in creating a descriptive video but should remain objective, it must tell a story with a specific theme. 
• Read more about the general videography styles.

Post-Production Editing

• Use simple and sophisticated transitions and consider cuts that do not distract from the story.
• Use a concise attribution that highlights the subject’s most significant role or title within the context of the story.
• Assure consistent U of I branded color-grading from scene to scene. 
• Slide pacing must be articulate, evenly integrated and match the video's tone.
• Always sync audio with visuals.
• Select music that matches tone and communication goals.
• Use only the highest quality footage possible. 

Music Examples

Animoto provides music for you to choose while constructing your video. It's important to consider timing, pace and appropriateness when selecting a track. The following list provides examples of music on other University of Idaho Animoto videos:

• Person Highlight- Johanna Gosse | Can We Stay – The Woodlands 
• Sentimental, inspiring, delightful and soft — doesn't distract from story
• Innovative Research: The Virtual Protein Builder | Freak Hop – Ed Napoli
  • Techno, inspiring, energetic — pulls viewers in through a consistent rhythm 
• Student Project: A Mammoth Task | Sea of Colors- Chris Lewis
  • Instrumental, futuristic, techno — gives new projects a futuristic and inventive feel
• Memorial Day: National Holiday | Solitary (Instrumental) - Cascades
  • Old-American, traditional, uplifting and sentimental — honors celebrations
• Welcome to University House | Go For it – Fairground Lights
  • Inspiring, uplifting, fun — Adds optimism and inspiration to the video

Music can be found in Animoto as part of the platform.

Animoto Templates

Clean Cut

Animoto's pre-built template Clean Cut works best with U of I's brand.

• Present information with clear titles and subtitles.
• Titles: white, capitalized.
• Subtitles: black, normal text.

Example

Asset Quality & Ratio

Assets for Animoto videos can be user generated or created by Creative Services. Work with Creative Services for custom assets. When requesting user-generated media, please work with your storyteller in advance to set their device to the highest-quality setting. Examples below. 

Asset Quality Settings iPhone

• Choose ratio 9:16.
• Open Camera App.
• Select the settings icon.
• Scroll to Camera (on some phones it’s Photos/Camera).
• Select “Record Video."
• Select either 1080 HD or 4k @30 or 24 fps.

Asset Quality Settings Android

• Choose ratio 9:16.
• Open Camera App.
• Select the settings icon.
• Scroll to video quality or video resolution.
• Select either 1080 HD or 4k @30 or 24 fps.

Primary Colors

Color is a critical University of Idaho identifier. Pride Gold, Black, Grey and White are the colors we use across all channels. 

Typography

Montserrat is the closest typeface to the U of I brand font family of Ringside.

Other typefaces that may work:

• Roboto Slab
• Blogger Sans

Typeface Use

• The title must be all caps. If necessary, the secondary line is smaller and regular text.
• Always use approved fonts and keep text within title-safe zones. 
• Font size should be legible, but not overpowering.

Lower-Thirds

• Create lower-thirds by writing desired text then position to the right or left and bottom of the frame. This depends on the subject's composition.
• Animoto uses a free form text box, much like PowerPoint — this allows you to move the text box anywhere within the frame.
• Refer to this example.

End Graphic Logo

A white logo slide must be included at the end of every video. The University of Idaho stacked two-color Black and Pride Gold logo must be used.