Fanvideos, or fanvids are basically music videos, except the video clips are from a given fandom, be it a movie, TV show, or anything else. They allow fans to express their creativity and their own personal take on a given universe and share it with their fellow fans. Here we’ll explain how to make your own fanvideo in just 7 easy steps. All you need to learn how to make a fanvid is a good internet connection, a computer, and a leaning towards creativity.
Step 1: Choose your fandom
Choose the movie or TV show (or in some cases, real people) that you want to base your fanvideo on. If this is your first fanvid, I would suggest basing it on a movie because movies are the easiest form to obtain video clips from. When you’re learning how to make a fanvid for the first time, it can be frustrating trying to find appropriate scenes if you’re using a TV show or news clips because video clips are so scattered. But in the end, choose whatever floats your boat. You’ll have more fun overall that way. Fanvids have been based on everything from Star Wars to Star Trek to Harry Potter to Simon and Paula from American Idol (there is actually a huge Saula following).
(NOTE: You may want to switch Steps 2 and 3, depending on what kind of video you want to make)
Step 2: Choose a theme for your fanvid
As a theme, you might choose your favorite character, a certain point in the plot, or something entirely of your own invention. People have even based fanvids on fanfiction that they’ve written. The theme you choose will effect the video clips and music you select. If you complete Step 3 first, your theme might be determined by the song you choose. Taking Harry Potter as an example (since Harry Potter is a very popular fandom for fanvids), if you’re using the song “My Hair Looks Fierce”, the theme of your fanvid might be all the ridiculous haircuts that Harry has had throughout the series.
Step 3: Choose a song for your fanvid
Again, the song you choose will either determine your theme, or be determined by your theme. If you want to do a funny fanvid you might choose a very cheesy song (I will Survive, I’m too Sexy, any Disney songs, TV theme songs) . For a more dramatic song you could choose really emo music (Linkin’ Park, Marilyn Manson, etc.) but hopefully you’ll have better taste than that. Take note that when you’re choosing your song, you are also choosing the length of your fanvid. While you can just cut your video off short when you run out of clips, I have always found this to be a little tacky. It’s much better to just be aware of song length when you’re planning your fanvid.
Step 4: Obtain digital copies of your song and video clips
To do this you either need to buy a copy of the DVDs/CDs and rip them (a very useful freeware program for that here ). What you should not do, however, is download a bittorrent client here and download your given video clips for free from The Pirate Bay . That would be illegal and wrong. *ahem*.
You can also find video clips online for very popular fandoms (Harry Potter, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, etc.) but this can often be very time consuming. However, it may be worth it if you’re working with a a large amount of video footage (For example a movie series, such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, or Lord of the Rings). Sometimes these clips will be very specifically edited, so if you do take them, be sure to give credit to the original authors as this is a very time consuming process (as you will soon find out).
Step 5: Import song and video clips into your video editor
I personally use Windows Movie Maker to edit my fanvids but there are many other better video editors out there that you can download, both freeware and otherwise. Find the import function on your video editor (Most programs have help sections if you don’t know how to do this) and import your song and video clips.
Step 6: Edit together your fanvid!
The first step you should probably take is to add your song as the background track. Be sure to mute the audio on the video clips (unless you are using this to effect). Try to align your video clips with the rhythms and emotions of the song. For example if you’re making a Harry Potter fanvid and you’re using the song “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen you may want to include clips of Hagrid dancing with Madame Olympe Maxime. Or if your making a Star Trek fanvid to Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” you may want to include clips of Spock looking pensive but detached. You may need to cut down video clips into smaller pieces so they flow with the music better. Most of all, be creative and have fun!
Step 7: Share your fanvid
What’s the point of going to all the work of making a fanvideo if no one sees it? Once you complete your fanvid, upload it to YouTube, email all your friends and generally make a big deal out of it. Posting your videos to fansites can also get you a ton of views.
And of course, before making a fanvid, make sure everything is legal before using another person’s copyrighted property.
