Intro and Outro Magic with Apple Clips Posters

Quickly Create Professional Designs

YouTube Shorts are all the rage, offering a quick and engaging way to connect with viewers. But let's face it, a basic clip can feel a bit?well, basic. This is where Apple Clips, a free app pre-installed on iPhones and iPads, comes to the rescue.

Clips boasts a fantastic feature called "Posters" - pre-designed templates that combine text and graphics. These are perfect for creating eye-catching intros and outros that elevate your Shorts to the next level.

Some Poster designs in Apple Clips

Here's how to unleash your inner intro/outro wizard with Clips Posters:

1. Dive into Posters:

Open Clips and tap the big, round record button. You'll see several options - choose "Posters." Here, you'll find a treasure trove of templates across various styles, from bold and colorful to sleek and minimalist.

2. Find Your Perfect Fit:

Browse the Posters library and pick one that complements your Shorts' theme. Want a vibrant intro for your cooking channel? There's a "Delicious!" poster waiting. Crafting a tech review Short? The "Tech Talk" poster might be ideal.

3. Make it Yours:

Most posters allow you to customize the text. Tap the text field and type in your channel name, video title, or a catchy tagline. Play around with fonts and colors to match your Shorts' overall aesthetic.

4. Action Time!

Once you're happy with your creation, hold down the record button. This overlays your customized poster onto your video. Let go of the button when you're finished with the intro (or outro).

5. Edit and Export:

Clips offers basic editing tools. You can trim the intro/outro clip, add music, and even layer in additional effects. Once you're done, export your masterpiece! Clips allows you to save the video directly to your camera roll for easy upload to YouTube.

Bonus Tip:

For a seamless transition, film a short clip (solid color background works well) after recording the intro with the poster. This blank clip can be used as the outro by simply reversing it in your editing software.

With a little creativity and Clips' Posters, you can craft intros and outros that grab attention, establish your brand identity, and leave viewers wanting more. So get clipping and transform your Shorts into polished gems!

Scene Detection

A Time-Saver for Video Editing

Scene detection is a feature in video editing software that automatically creates cuts at scene changes. This is incredibly useful for:

• Making scene-specific adjustments: Easily isolate scenes for color correction, adding effects, or trimming without manually scrubbing through footage.

While some programs lack built-in scene detection, many offer workarounds. Here's a breakdown of my experience:

Final Cut Pro: Surprisingly, Final Cut Pro lacks a native scene detection tool. Third-party options like FCPX Cut Finder exist, but they incur additional cost and steps.

Wondershare Filmora: This software shines with its user-friendly scene detection. A simple right-click on a video clip in the timeline automatically creates cuts at scene changes, saving significant editing time.

Key Takeaways:

• Cost-effective: Filmora's scene detection is included with the base application purchase, unlike some paid add-ons.
• Rescaling potential: Scene detection allows easy rescaling of individual scenes to fit various aspect ratios, like horizontal to vertical, for social media optimization.
• Panning limitations: While Filmora excels in scene detection, it lacks a smooth panning functionality. For precise panning control, Final Cut Pro might be a better choice.
• CapCut alternative: CapCut offers a similar feature called "Split Scene" but requires a premium subscription. Panning functionality is also absent in CapCut.

By incorporating scene detection into your workflow, you can significantly streamline your video editing process.

Northern Lights

Go Pro Hero 9

On Friday, May 10th, I setup the GoPro and took a timelapse video of the Northern Lights in Ashland, Massachusetts.

Here's the video of that night:

Things to Know

I used my GoPro Hero 9 to create the timelapse.

I setup up my GoPro on the GoPro tripod.

I used a "Custom" night time settings:

Resolution: 1080p
Lens: Wide
Format: Video
Interval: Auto
Shutter: Auto
Scheduled Capture: Off
Duration: No Limit
Timer: 3s
Zoom: 1.0x
Bit Rate: Standard
EV Comp: 0
White Balance: Auto
ISO Min: 100
ISO Max: 800
Sharpness: High
Color: GoPro

The Pierogi Epiphany: A Tale of Faith and Fortune

Boston Fox 25 News Coverage Short

In the quaint neighborhood of Point Place, Florida, an extraordinary event unfolded that captured the hearts and imaginations of people around the world. Donna Lee, a local resident, was preparing a batch of pierogis for Easter--a tradition steeped in her Polish heritage. As she cooked, something miraculous appeared before her eyes: the last pierogi on the pan bore the image of Jesus Christ.

This was no ordinary pierogi. It was a symbol of faith, a sign from above, or perhaps just a whimsical trick of the dough. Regardless, it was special. Donna, filled with awe, shared this revelation with her husband, who echoed her sentiments, proclaiming, "There's a face on our pierogi, and we choose to believe on Easter it's Jesus."

The news of the Jesus Pierogi spread like wildfire, and soon, the online auction site eBay became the stage for this divine dumpling's fate. The bidding war was fervent, and the pierogi's price soared. In the end, it was the Golden Palace Casino that placed the winning bid, securing the holy pierogi for a heavenly sum of $1,775.

The casino, known for its collection of oddities, including a grilled cheese sandwich with the image of the Virgin Mary, saw the pierogi as a perfect addition to its traveling museum. For Donna Lee, the pierogi was more than just a quirky kitchen occurrence; it was a message, a blessing, and a source of joy that transcended the ordinary.

As we reflect on the story of the Jesus Pierogi, it's a reminder that sometimes, the most mundane moments can hold a deeper meaning. Whether you see it as a testament to faith or a curious case of pareidolia, there's no denying that the Jesus Pierogi has left an indelible mark on the tapestry of modern folklore.

Watch Fox 25 News First Report the Story in 2005

Eclipse in Ashland

Time-Lapse of the Eclipse

This captures the sun's changing brightness during the eclipse, even though it won't show complete darkness. Witness how a 93% moon coverage affects daylight.

This was captured using the iPhone Xs Time-Lapse feature.

Johnny Carson Talls about 12am

Reading a Letter from Greenwich, England

Parking tickets are a universal pain, but Dennis Hart took his frustration to a whole new level. In a case that landed him on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Hart challenged the very notion of "12:00 pm" - and in turn, the validity of his parking ticket.

The Midnight of the Matter

Hart received a parking violation for exceeding the time limit on a sign that clearly stated "No Parking After 12:00 PM." However, Hart took a rather...unique approach to interpreting the time limit. He argued that since there is no such thing as "12:00 pm," the sign was invalid, and therefore, his parking ticket shouldn't stand.

His reasoning? Hart believed that "noon" referred solely to the moment the clock strikes twelve midday, a fleeting point in time that doesn't actually exist. Think of it as the blink of an eye - it happens, but it's gone so fast you can barely perceive it.

Taking it to Carson

Determined to fight the ticket, Hart landed himself on The Tonight Show. Now, Johnny Carson wasn't exactly known for legal expertise, but he sure knew how to make entertainment out of absurdity.

To settle the timey-wimey debate, The Tonight Show producers reached out to Professor Stuart Malin in Greenwich, England. Professor Malin, bless his academic heart, likely had a good chuckle before confirming the existence of both 12:00 am (midnight) and 12:00 pm (noon) - widely accepted concepts for the past, well, forever.

Watch Johnny Explain the Situation

Lowell in Motion: A Timelapse Adventure

GoPro Hero 9 Timelapse

Last Sunday, I set up my GoPro at the corner of Paige and Bridget Street in Lowell, Massachusetts (140 Paige Street) to capture a timelapse of the everyday hustle and bustle. The GoPro Hero 9 camera was set to record for 6 hours.

While there might not be heart-stopping action, the video offers a calming glimpse into the rhythm of the city. You'll see cars navigate the intersection, and pedestrians making their way across the street.

Take a look and see Lowell come alive in this timelapse:

1998 Commercials

Classic Commercial I found on a VHS tape

This video features a compilation of commercials from 1998. The commercials advertise various products and services, including Sprint's dime rate plan, Taco Bell's Nachos Bell Grande, and Jack in the Box's Ultimate Cheeseburger.

The first commercial is for Sprint's dime rate plan. The commercial starts with a woman who is suddenly promoted to boss. She decides to take the day off and go shopping. She tries on clothes and feels great about how they look on her. Later, at the salon, she meets Candice Bergen, who tells her that she got up to 200 minutes of free long distance for signing up for Sprint's dime rate plan. The commercial ends with a call to action, encouraging viewers to sign up for Sprint's dime rate plan for 10 cents a minute and get up to 200 minutes free.

The second commercial is for Taco Bell's Nachos Bell Grande. The commercial features a brief announcement about Taco Bell's Nachos Bell Grande, which was available for just 99 cents when you buy a large drink in 1998.

The third commercial is for Jack in the Box's Ultimate Cheeseburger. The commercial features men discussing the Ultimate Cheeseburger. One man likes the fact that the cheeseburger is just meat and cheese, and doesn't have a bun. Jack questions why the cheeseburger needs a bun if it's just meat and cheese. The commercial ends with the two men agreeing to look into the bun issue.

Overall, this video provides a glimpse into advertising from the late 1990s. The commercials feature catchy slogans, celebrity endorsements, and a focus on value. They also reflect the popular culture of the time, such as the rise of mobile phones and the popularity of fast food.

Watch the video

Mort Sahl (YouTube Shorts)

The Presidency: The Wit and Wisdom (1986)

Mort Sahl, a trailblazing satirist, was known for his incisive commentary on politics, society, and current events. Armed with a rolled-up newspaper, he took to the stage and delivered extended improvised monologues that dissected the headlines of the day. His unique blend of stand-up comedy and political satire made him a true icon.

Comedy as Social Commentary

Sahl believed that comedy should emerge from opinion and challenge the established order. He lamented the cautiousness of many contemporary comedians, emphasizing that they should tackle weighty issues rather than merely discrediting individuals. In an era when the stakes are higher than ever, Sahl's words resonate: "Too much comedy today is vulgar, not clever."

The Presidency: The Wit and Wisdom

Here are a couple of YouTube Shorts from "The Presidency: The Wit and Wisdom" an event at the Gerald Ford Museum in 1986.

Might be best to watch on YouTube.

Gary Radnich: It Happened Tonight

KRON Sports: Baseball, Tennis and More!

This KRON Sports video covers a variety of sports news, including baseball, tennis, and more. Here's a recap of the top stories:

• St. Louis Cardinals win 2-0 against the Montreal Expos. Rookie pitcher Bud Smith threw a no-hitter, while Woody Williams pitched a six-inning perfect game. The Cardinals are now 10-4 on the season.
• Brad Gilbert defeats Andre Agassi in the US Open quarterfinals. Gilbert won in four tiebreakers, and his wife Bridget was there to celebrate with him.
• Other sports news: The video also mentions other sports news, but it is not clear what they are.

Overall, this is a short but informative video that covers a variety of sports news. If you are a fan of sports, then you will want to check it out.

In addition to the above, the video also mentions the following:

• Ken Camenetti made a catch in the dugout, but it was not a legal catch.
• Morley Safer and Mike Wallace are amazing.
• The video was made past midnight.

Watch the Video