At the end of the tutorial, you will be given a quiz that will test your understanding and knowledge of the information.
1. FOOTAGE QUALITY - Our slogan when it comes to uploading your footage to RevoStock.com is, "Only upload the best." Upload footage shot with the best lighting, composition, framing and color. Only upload your very best shots.
1.1 Footage Source:
Footage submitted to RevoStock.com must have been acquired using a prosumer video camera or better. Examples of prosumer 3-CCD cameras are:
Canon GL2 MiniDV
Canon XL1 MiniDV
JVC GY-DV5000U MiniDV
Panasonic AG-DVX100B MiniDV
Panasonic AG-HVX200 MiniDV/HD
Sony DCR-VX2100 MiniDV
Sony DSR-PD170 MiniDV
Various HDV cameras
Also acceptable are BETACAM SP and other professional quality NTSC and PAL D1 cameras.
As far as cameras that are not acceptable, a good rule of thumb is, if it was or is possible to purchase your camera at most chain electronics stores such as Best Buy or Circuit City, then your camera will most likely not be acceptable.
1.2 Clean Lens
While this may seem like a given, it is very important that there are no lens spots or smudges. If dust, dirt, fingerprints or lens smudges are visible on your footage it will be rejected.
1.3 Professional shooting techniques/tripods/booms
Footage submitted to RevoStock should all be shot in a professional manner. Shots must be smooth without jerky movements. As a rule, footage should be acquired with a tripod, and if pans or tilts are involved, the entire shoot should be smooth including the intro and the exit of the shot.
Footage shot correctly using a boom arm, dolly, or steadicam adds interest to the shot and will be very valuable.
Handheld or shaky footage will most likely be rejected unless there is the unusual case where the nature of the shot requires it. If you are unsure about your footage, contact us using our Customer Helpdesk. We will look at most handheld shots and ask the question, "Could the camera operator made this shot smoother than it is?"
1.4 Focus
All footage submitted should be in focus unless the footage was intentionally blurred for artistic reasons.
1.5 Compression (VERY IMPORTANT)
ENCODING FOOTAGE: (Scroll down if you are uploading motion backgrounds)
ABOUT INCLUDING AUDIO: Please only
include audio with your file if it is very high quality audio and is
absolutely pertinent to the shot. General ambient noise recorded with
a prosumer on-camera mic would not fit into this category.
NTSC AND PAL DV (DV25) -
All NTSC and PAL DV footage should be submitted to RevoStock.com using
the QuickTime DV profile/codec for NTSC or PAL footage respectively.
No settings should be altered as to the resolution or frame rate of the
original footage. The only compression that should be used before
your final QuickTime output should be the compression that takes place
when the video is captured from the camera. Windows users would have
to export their .avi files to a QuickTime DV file without using any
extra compression.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A FLASH TUTORIAL ON CONVERTING YOUR WINDOWS DV FOOTAGE TO QUICKTIME DV.
If you are a Windows/PC user you will
first capture your video into an .avi file. Once you have selected the
5-15 seconds of footage you would like to upload, export it to a
QuickTime DV file using the export settings in your software. NOTE:
In certain applications, make sure you uncheck the box that says
"Recompress" so that you do not compress the footage any more than
necessary. All quality settings should be set to "Best."
NOTE: WE HIGHLY RECOMEND
that PC users use the latest version of QuickTime Pro to encode their
.avi files to QuickTime DV or PhotoJPEG files. Certain PC based
editing software may still be using an earlier version of QuickTime and
the encoded file may not play well with all systems. QuickTime Pro is
a relatively inexpensive download and will ensure that your files will
play well with all systems. Download at http://www.quicktime.com. You may view a flash tutorial on encoding your media using Quicktime Pro here:
http://www.revostock.com/tutorials/DVquicktimepro.html
NTSC AND PAL (NON DV, i.e. DV50) - If
your footage was not originally shot and captured in the DV
(DV25) format, then encoding to QuickTime DV could degrade the quality
of your footage. In this case, please convert your footage to a
QuickTime PhotoJPEG. For example, if you have footage you shot in
DVCPRO 50, you would want to encode it using QuickTime PhotoJPEG or
Quicktime MotionJPEG rather than QuickTime DV.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT ENCODING USING PHOTOJPEG or MOTIONJPEG (HD AND SD):
IF YOU ARE UPLOADING FOOTAGE ACQUIRED FROM A CAMERA, DO NOT EXPORT YOUR PhotoJPEG FILE AT 100% QUALITY.
When PhotoJPEG or MotionJPEG is exported at 100% quality, it is
exporting the file with a 4:4:4 color profile or full color
resolution. Since your footage only uses a 4:2:2 color profile, you
are actually adding information to the file making it much much bigger,
but NOT any better. It also ramps up the bit-rate beyond
what is necessary for the file significantly increasing file size.
Almost ALL of the time, 75% is the ideal setting to use, but we
encourage you to test first at 75%, check your footage and see how it
looks. If it takes a quality hit, you may bump up the setting, but
ALWAYS start at HIGH or 75%. Every little bit you increase the level,
file size will greatly increase, but visual quality will almost never noticeably increase.
WHETHER TO USE MOTIONJPEG or PHOTOJPEG:
If your have interlaced footage, use MotionJPEG, if you have progressive scan footage, use PhotoJPEG.
What are the MotionJPEG and PhotoJPEG codecs and why should I use them?
HD (HDV SEE BELOW) - You
may initially submit your HD footage in the QuickTime PhotoJPEG or
MotionJPEG format at the "High" quality level or 75%. If you preview
your footage after encoding at 75% and notice any problems, you may
encode it at a higher quality level up to 99% if needed. DO NOT ENCODE
YOUR CAMERA ACQUIRED FOOTAGE AT 100%. (See note above.) However, the
75% level should suffice and the file size will be much more
reasonable. As mentioned before, you should ALWAYS start at 75%. In
almost all cases, increasing the quality level will only substantially
increase the file size and will not increase the visual quality of the
file. For more information, click
- UPLOADING OTHER FORMATS (HD USERS ONLY) - Once
you upload your HD footage in the Photo JPEG format, and it is
approved, you will be given the opportunity to upload other versions,
particularly NTSC and PAL versions. In order to do this you will click
on "My Uploads" in the left nav. after your footage has been approved.
- UPLOAD YOUR HIGHEST RESOLUTION FILE FIRST - We
ask that you upload the highest resolution file first, so if your
original file is HD, please upload the 1920X1080 version first. Then
you may add lower resolution versions.
HDV - You may
initially submit your HDV footage in the QuickTime PhotoJPEG format at
the "High" quality Level (75%.) If your files are native 1440X1080,
then we ask that you just go ahead and upload them at this resolution
rather than "stretching" it to 1920X1080. This will conserve file size.
NOTE:
BECAUSE HDV IS KIND OF A "TRICKY" FORMAT, YOU MUST CHECK CAREFULLY THE
QUALITY OF THE PhotoJPEG FILE YOU ARE UPLOADING AND IT MUST NOT HAVE
ARTIFACTS OR OTHER DEFECTS.
If you preview your
footage after encoding at 75% and notice any problems, you may encode
it at a higher quality level up to 99% if needed. DO NOT ENCODE YOUR
CAMERA ACQUIRED FOOTAGE AT 100%. (See note above.) However, the 75%
level will usually suffice and the file size will be much more
reasonable. Always start with 75%. See notes above on MotionJPEG and
PhotoJPEG.
- WHY CAN'T I UPLOAD MY NATIVE HDV FILE? PHOTOJPEG AND MOTIONJPEG MAKES MY FILES REALLY BIG! - While
HDV is becoming a very popular format, believe it or not, many
computers especially PC's cannot read native HDV m2t files. Believe
us, we don't like the large file sizes either, and we continually are
hoping that this format will be recognized by all computers soon.
However, in favor of the customer, it is important that all customers
be able to read the file they purchase no matter what system they are
on. The only way to ensure this right now is to use a codec all
computers can access.
- UPLOADING OTHER FORMATS (HD/HDV USERS ONLY) - Once
you upload your HDV footage in the QuickTime MotionJPEG or Photo JPEG
format, and it is approved, you will be given the opportunity to upload
other versions, particularly QuickTime NTSC and PAL versions. In order
to do this you will click on "My Uploads" in the left nav after your
footage has been approved.
ENCODING MOTION BACKGROUNDS AND COMPUTER GENERATED VIDEO: (NTSC, PAL and HD)
If you have created a file to upload
using After Effects, Motion, 3-D applications or other computer
generating software, for best results, you should upload your file in
the PhotoJPEG format, using progressive scan instead of interlacing.
If possible, try to encode your
file at the PhotoJPEG "high" quality level (75%.) However, if you have
issues with banding or artifacts you may go all the way up to 100%.
Please note that at 100% your file size could be very large, so if
possible use the lowest quality setting that produces the best
results. You should always start at the 75% HIGH quality level.
1.6 Post Filters and Color Adjustments
In most cases footage should be "shot to keep." This means that every effort should be taken to get the best shot possible without any need of adding color correction or filters in order to "improve" the look or quality of your footage. Ramping up the brightness and contrast of your footage too much will add additional noise which is unacceptable. Using the best possible lighting and camera settings when acquiring your footage will keep you from having to add filters and color correction that will only add noise to your footage.
Slight color correction and adjustment that adds interest to your footage without adding noise is acceptable.
Do not add any other filters such as old film, emboss, or glow.
1.7 Slow Motion
Most "post" slow motion effects added to the footage in your editing software are not preferred as they tend to look jittery. True HD cameras like the Panasonic HVX-200 or Vari-Cam have variable frame rates like 60p which produce smooth film-like slow motion effects. These cameras are capable of capturing true slow motion which is very valuable as it has only been achieved with expensive film cameras in the past. If your footage was not originally captured in slow motion, it is a better idea to upload it in full motion and allow the purchaser to choose the slow motion settings they would like to use.
1.8 Lighting
All footage submitted to RevoStock.com should be professionally lit.
- Indoor shots should almost always use external video lighting and or reflectors.
- Outdoor shots should be well lit, usually on a bright day.
- Night or dark shots should only be submitted when shot with a camera capable of handling low light well. Cameras that do not handle low-light well will produce a considerable amount of grain.
- In most cases, when shooting people indoors, use external video lighting and/or reflectors. When shooting people outdoors, reflectors and diffusers should be used to provide an evenly light shot.
2. FOOTAGE FORMAT STANDARDS
2.1 Acceptable Formats
RevoStock.com will accept footage in NTSC DV (720 X 480), NTSC D1 (720X486) PAL D1/DV (720X576), HDV 720 and HDV 1080, HD 720 and HD 1080.
We also accept PAL Anamorphic Widescreen and NTSC Anamorphic Widescreen footage. We do not accept letterbox footage.
Pricing varies based on the resolution of the footage. See our current rate and royalty structure information on rates and royalties.
2.2 Footage Length
RevoStock.com uses 3 major footage categories and the allowable lengths of your footage depends on which category your footage fits into.
- Camera acquired footage (5-15 seconds): This is our primary RevoStock category. Footage shot with a camera should only be between 5 and 15 seconds. If you have a piece of footage that is necessarily longer, you should cut it in two pieces and connect them using our media box tool.
- Motion Backgrounds (10-20 seconds): Because motion backgrounds typically need to be a bit longer, footage and computer generated video may be up to 20 seconds long. Loop-able backgrounds may be 5-20 seconds long.
- FX/Transitions (2-15 seconds): This is a special category and only certain items will be accepted. This category includes special effects shots like explosions, muzzle flashes, blasts, lightning, editing assistants, film burns etc. that are usually very short and meant for use in compositing applications. This category also includes transitional pieces of footage also used for compositing to transition between two clips.
3. Unacceptable Content
RevoStock.com reserves the right to refuse any content that we consider pornographic, obscene, offensive, sexually suggestive, controversial, or footage that simply does not fit into the RevoStock library. Footage including nudity or sexually suggestive themes will not be accepted into the RevoStock.com library.
4. ACCOUNT AND ROYALTY PAYMENT INFORMATION
4.1 Account Information
Your account information must be full and correct when signing up with us to contribute footage. We must have your correct Name, Address, phone number and email address. Your information is protected and will not be given out to third parties. Please check our privacy policy for more details. If any of your information is not correct, please click "My Account" in order to update it.
4.2 Royalty Payments
RevoStock.com only pays our producers their royalties via paypal. This method is secure and safe for both us and our producers. Each time your footage is downloaded you make money! Payments will be delivered via PayPal on the 15th of each month. If you do not have a PayPal account, it is easy and secure! Sign up now at http://www.paypal.com/. At the end of this application process you will be asked for your PayPal information. For information on royalty payments and how much you can make click here.
Your royalties are collected until you choose the withdraw them and receive payment. For instance, you may want to wait until your royalties reach $100 before withdrawing them. Once your royalties reach $100, click on the "Withdraw Royalties" button in the left-bav bar. There you may either choose to withdraw these royalties or convert them into credits and receive bonus credits.
Important note: When you withdraw your royalties you will still
have to wait until the 15th for the payment to be processed via
paypal. Royalty withdrawals must be made on or before the 8th of each month. On the 15th of each month we do a mass payment to paypal which
submits all the royalties for payment at one time. If you have any
questions please contact us.
Important note: When you withdraw your royalties you will still have to wait until the 15th for the payment to be processed via paypal. On the 15th of each month we do a mass payment to paypal which submits all the royalties for payment at one time. If you have any questions please contact us.
4.3 Exclusive and Non-Exclusive Royalty Contracts
There are two types of contracts you may enter into with RevoStock.com. Each time you upload footage, you will be able to choose which type of contract you would like to enter into for that specific piece of footage. Here are the two types of contracts:
4.3.1 EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT - An exclusive contract means that you will only sell your footage through RevoStock.com and you will not sell it in downloadable format through any other website. You may however, sell your footage in downloadable format through your own website. You may also resell your footage in any "hard" format such as DVD, CD, Tape, etc. This only applies to downloadable websites similar to RevoStock.com.
The reason for entering into an exclusive contract is more money for you! The royalty rate for our exclusive producers is higher than it is for our non-exclusive ones. To see our current royalty rates click here.
4.3.2 NON-EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT - A non-exclusive contract means that you are free to sell your footage through any other downloadable footage site you would like to as well as through RevoStock.com. Non-exclusive contracts yield lower royalty rates. Click here to see our current royalty rates.
CHANGING CONTRACTS - At any time you may switch a piece of footage from an exclusive contract to a non-exclusive one or vice versa. Just send us an email at support@RevoStock.com
LEGAL INFORMATION - For more information about royalties and payments and to view our contracts, please view our legal information.
5. COPYRIGHTS
5.1 Ownership
You must be the individual that recorded the footage with your camera. If you were not the original videographer, then most likely you are not legally allowed to upload and sell the footage.
If you are submitting a motion background you must be the creator of that motion background.
If you are submitting footage that includes some type of artwork, you must be the one who created the artwork, unless it is so old that copyright law does not apply. Typically items created before 1920 fit in under this category.
5.2 Re-Touched Footage acquired from other Stock Footage sources
You may not purchase footage from any other stock video source, re-touch it or change it, and then upload it to our website for sale. This is very important. If you do so, you will be liable. If footage is uploaded that you do not own, your account will be immediately cancelled.
5.3 Logos, advertisements and copyrighted graphics.
Your footage may NOT contain any recognizable logo, advertisement, copyrighted graphics, images or artwork. Examples:
5.3.1 You would not be able to use footage of an urban scene if there is a recognizable McDonald's sign in the background.
5.3.2 You would not be able to use artistic footage moving across a newspaper page if a recognizable magazine ad is shown.
5.3.3 You have footage of a modern sculpture outside of your city museum. This would not be acceptable as this sculpture would be copyrighted by the artist.
5.3.4 Art produced prior to 1920 is usually allowed as the work is typically public domain.
If you submit footage with a recognizable logo or copyrighted image, it will be rejected.
5.4 Model Releases
This is simple. You absolutely must have a model release for every recognizable face in your piece of footage.
We encourage you to submit footage using a model or model's, but it must be accompanied by a signed model release. When you upload your footage you will have the chance to upload your model release. Print out the model release, have it filled out and signed. Then scan it, or take a picture of it and upload it when you submit your footage.
If the person is a minor, you must have a parent or guardian sign the release.
If your footage has any recognizable face without a model release, it will be rejected.
5.5 Property Releases
Property releases are typically a bit more complex. Recognizable footage of private property usually taken from the inside or on the property itself requires a property release.
While property typically refers to buildings or structures, it could also refer to autos, boats or collectibles.
Shooting general footage of the outside of a building from a public place is typically ok.
They key in this case is how uniquely recognizable the property is.
For example, general imagery of a building is ok, but if the exact address is shown you would want to get a property release as that property is now uniquely identifiable.
Some famous structures are trademarked. It is best to so some research before submitting footage of them.
Click here to download our property release.
