Where To Find Video Clips And Loops For Visibox

When you first create a new Visibox Project, you’re greeted with a blank page that says, “Add clips by dragging your video or image files here.” So the first video that many Visibox users add is a smartphone clip of their nephew’s birthday party or a Nyan Cat GIF they’ve got on their desktop. This is fine for testing out our software. But, if you want to put together a compelling show that captivates your audience, you’ll need to source some high-quality video clips. In this post, we’ll explore where to find video clips for Visibox, including paid and free sources, and best practices for using them effectively.

Understanding Copyright and Licensing

Before diving into sources for video clips and images, it’s important to grasp the basics of copyright and licensing. Copyright laws protect the original creators of content, including videos, from unauthorized use. In short, this means you can’t legally use someone else’s images or video clips in your performances without permission.

However, many creators license their work in ways that allow others to use it, sometimes for free, under certain conditions. These licenses may require you to give credit to the creator, use the content non-commercially, or keep your work under the same license. Some licenses require a one-time payment, while others may involve ongoing royalties. And some content is provided royalty-free or falls into the public domain, meaning you can use it without restrictions.

In some cases, you may be able to use copyrighted material without permission under the fair use doctrine. Fair use allows for limited use of copyrighted material for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. However, fair use is a complex legal concept, and it’s essential to understand the guidelines and limitations before relying on it.

Creative Commons

Creative Commons licenses are a popular way for creators to share their work with specific permissions. These licenses allow creators to retain copyright while granting others the right to use, share, and build upon their work. “CREATIVE COMMONS” DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE FREE TO USE IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. Here are the main types of Creative Commons licenses:

• Attribution (CC BY): Allows others to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the work, even commercially, as long as they credit the creator.
• Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA): Allows others to remix, adapt, and build upon the work, even for commercial purposes, as long as they credit the creator and license their new creations under the same terms.
• Attribution-NoDerivs (CC BY-ND): Allows for redistribution, commercial and non-commercial, as long as the work is passed along unchanged and in whole, with credit to the creator.
• Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC): Allows others to remix, adapt, and build upon the work non-commercially, and although their new works must also acknowledge the creator and be non-commercial, they don’t have to license their derivative works on the same terms.
• Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC BY-NC-SA): Allows others to remix, adapt, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as they credit the creator and license their new creations under identical terms.
• Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND): Allows others to download the works and share them with others as long as they credit the creator, but they can’t change them in any way or use them commercially.

When using Creative Commons-licensed content, it’s crucial to understand the specific terms of the license and comply with them. Always check the license details provided by the creator to ensure you’re using the content correctly.

Royalty-Free vs. Public Domain

• Royalty-Free: This doesn’t mean the content is free. It means that after purchasing or acquiring the content under a royalty-free license, you can use it without paying ongoing royalties. However, read the license carefully, as there may be restrictions.
• Public Domain: Content in the public domain is free for anyone to use for any purpose. This includes works whose copyright has expired and works specifically released into the public domain by the creator.

Free Sources for Royalty-Free and Public Domain Footage

1. Pixabay: A popular source for free, royalty-free videos, images, and music that you can use for any purpose, including commercial projects.
2. Pexels: Offers a wide range of free stock videos and photos contributed by creators worldwide, available for personal and commercial use without attribution.
3. Internet Archive: A digital library offering free access to collections of movies, films, and digital works. The content ranges from public domain films to old commercials and educational videos. The Prelinger Archives is a notable collection within the Internet Archive.
4. Public Domain Movies: A niche site dedicated to films that have entered the public domain, perfect for unique and historical footage.

Paid Sources for Royalty-Free Footage

1. Shutterstock: Offers a vast collection of high-quality, royalty-free videos. Pricing varies depending on the package or subscription.
2. Getty Images: Known for high-quality footage with a range of pricing options, including premium collections.
3. Pond5: Features a wide variety of video clips, including historical footage, with flexible pricing options.
4. Artgrid: A subscription-based platform offering high-quality video clips with a focus on cinematic content.
5. Storyblocks: Provides a subscription-based model for access to a library of royalty-free videos, images, and music.
6. Envato Elements: Offers a subscription service with access to a vast library of video clips, music, graphics, 3D models, and more.

Community and Indie Sources

1. Vimeo Creative Commons: A collection of videos on Vimeo that are licensed under Creative Commons, allowing for reuse and remixing.
2. Archive.org: Beyond movies, Archive.org offers a vast collection of public domain and Creative Commons-licensed content, including audio, images, and texts.
3. Videvo: A platform offering free and premium video clips, motion graphics, and sound effects, with a focus on community-contributed content.
4. Coverr: A site that provides free, high-quality videos for commercial use, with new clips added weekly.
5. Mixkit: A site offering free stock videos, music, and templates for commercial use, with a focus on quality and simplicity.
6. Videezy: A community-driven platform with free stock videos, motion graphics, and more, contributed by creators worldwide.
7. VJ Loops: A site specializing in video loops and visuals for VJs, DJs, and other performers, with a mix of free and premium content.
8. VJ Street: A community-driven platform for VJs and visual artists, offering free and premium video loops and visuals.
9. VJ Galaxy: A site specializing in VJ loops and visuals, with a mix of free and premium content.
10. Reddit VJ Loops: A subreddit where VJs share and discuss video loops and visuals, with some creators offering free downloads.
11. Reddit VJing: A subreddit for VJs and visual artists to share tips, tricks, and resources, including video clips and visuals.

A Note On YouTube And Social Media

While YouTube and social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are rich sources of video content, it’s essential to be cautious when using clips from these platforms in your Visibox performances. Many videos on these platforms are copyrighted, and using them without permission can lead to copyright infringement issues. Consider your use case when deciding whether you want to cross that line. Are you getting paid for your performance? If so, this is a commercial use. Are you showing this content in front of a large audience? Will it be recorded? These are all questions to consider.

You can always reach out to the original creator and ask for permission to use their content. Many creators are happy to have their work featured in other projects, as long as they receive credit. If you’re using a clip from a platform like YouTube, you can also check the video’s description or the creator’s channel for licensing information. Some creators provide details on how their content can be used. Usually, an email from the creator is enough to constitute legal permission. Better safe than sorry.

Best Practices for Using Video Clips in Visibox

• Quality Over Quantity: Choose video clips that enhance your performance and create a cohesive visual experience. Avoid overwhelming your audience with too many clips.
• Cuts Break The Flow: The cardinal rule of editing music videos (back when that was more popular) is to cut on the beat. This is because cuts break the flow of the video. If you’re using video clips in Visibox, try to avoid footage with a lot of cuts. Instead, chop longer videos up into shorter clips that can loop more seamlessly. This way, you can “cut” the video in real-time by triggering different clips.
• Plan To Do Some Editing: You may want to trim or loop video clips to fit the timing of your performance. Consider using video editing software to customize the content.
• Organize Your Library: Keep your video clips well-organized in folders, categorizing them by theme, mood, or any other system that makes sense for your performances.
• Test And Experiment: Experiment with different video clips and vibes. Test how they look on the big screen and how they feel with the music. Don’t be afraid to try new things and refine your visuals over time. Eventually, you’ll find some “tricks” that work well for you and define your signature style.

Conclusion

Sourcing video clips for Visibox can be an exciting endeavor that adds a dynamic layer to your performances. By understanding copyright and licensing, exploring both paid and free sources, and following best practices, you can curate a compelling visual experience that complements your music and engages your audience at a deeper level. Whether you’re looking for cinematic landscapes, abstract animations, or historical footage, the world of video clips is vast and full of creative possibilities. So dive in, explore, and discover the perfect visuals to elevate your Visibox performances.