If you have a Mac computer and want to start creating video content, whether it is for social media or YouTube, then you already have access to two free powerful video making tools: iMovie and Keynote.
iMovie is a great program to start with when it comes to editing video. It’s easy to import videos and the program comes with a lot of pre-designed options for titles and transitions.
But did you know that you can create your own set of custom titles, transitions and animated video graphics with Keynote?
Yes, I mentioned Keynote, Apple’s version of the well-known presentation software called Microsoft Powerpoint but WAY better when it comes to features and capabilities.
Now that you know about Keynote’s ability to create animated graphics, how do you make those animated video overlays?
STEP 1: Set up your Keynote file
When choosing a theme, pick one from the Basic category, preferably with a white background, and make sure the format is set to Wide (16:9).
Once your new document has opened, go to the Document tab and change the “Presentation Type” to Self-playing and the delay to 0.0 s for both Transitions and Builds.
STEP 2: Add objects and/or text
Keynote has a variety of shapes that you can use in your animations or you can import your own graphics such as a logo or premade shape created in another program.
You can also add text and use a font that is installed on your computer.
When placing both objects and text on your slide, make sure they are in the position you want them to be in after they enter the screen.
For example, if you know that you want a shape to enter the screen from the left side and stop in the middle, then initially position your shape in the middle of the slide.
STEP 3: Animate your objects and/or text
Animations in Keynote are divided into 3 categories:
- Build In
- Action
- Build Out
How do you choose an animation type?
If you want an item to enter the screen or slide for the first time then you will select an animation from the Build In category.
If you want an item to leave the screen or slide then you will select an animation from the Build Out category.
If you want to add some action to an item while it is already on the screen or slide, so after applying a Build In animation effect, then you will choose an animation from the Action category.
STEP 4: Refine your time delays
Once you have selected your animations, then the next part is just adjusting and re-adjusting the duration of each animation and the delay between animations until you get something that you’re satisfied with.
STEP 5: Export your file as a video overlay
Once you have finished creating your animation, then it’s time to export it to a file that you can use in a video editing program such as iMovie.
There are a couple of ways to export your file as a video overlay: as a green screen video overlay or as a transparent video overlay.
Not all video editing programs support transparent video files so sometimes it’s a good idea to know about both methods.
To export your file as a GREEN SCREEN video overlay:
Change the slide background colour to green.
Make sure you don’t have any objects or text selected. Go to the “Format” tab and click on the rainbow circle that appears next to a coloured rectangle under the “Background” option.
I like to use the crayon colour options and usually pick Spring as the green colour.
Export your file as a movie
Go to the “File” menu and select “Export to” and then “Movie”.
In the next pop-up window, from top to bottom, settings should be:
Self-Playing
All (for all slides)
0 seconds (for go to next slide)
0 seconds (for go to next build)
1080p
Then, name and save your file to your preferred location on your computer or hard drive and the file will be ready to import into your video.
To export your file as a TRANSPARENT video overlay:
Change the slide background colour to NO FILL.
Make sure you don’t have any objects or text selected.
Go to the “Format” tab and select “No Fill” from the drop down menu under the “Background” option.
Your slide background should change and appear to be black when you select this option. Don’t worry, it won’t export as a black background.
Export your file as a movie
Go to the “File” menu and select “Export to” and then “Movie”.
In the next pop-up window, from top to bottom, settings should be:
Self-Playing
All (for all slides)
0 seconds (for go to next slide)
0 seconds (for go to next build)
Custom
1920 x 1080
30 FPS
Apple ProRes 4444
Make sure checkbox is selected next to “Export with transparent backgrounds”
Then, name and save your file to your preferred location on your computer or hard drive and the file will be ready to import into your video.
