Now Make Your Own Vlog


Targeting the millions of people who blog around the world today, "Serious Magic," developer of gen-next video software and communications tools, has announced the immediate availability of Vlog It, that helps users quickly and easily add video to their blog, or create a "vlog," in minutes.

Marsk Randall, president and chief magician, "Serious Magic," said, "Text blogs have given people a great way to share their personal thoughts, opinions and news with others online. Vlog It adds a new dimension by letting bloggers share sights and sounds - instead of just text - with audiences."

With Vlog It, users can combine media-video clips, digital photos and music with narration to achieve a video.

To create a vlog, users need to drag-and-drop photos, video clips and music into Vlog It. They can also add cool TV-style transitions and sound effects. Bloggers can even go for the complete "newscaster" look, using Vlog It's live webcam recording and teleprompter to add narration. They have to then click "Publish" and drag-and-drop the video thumbnail into their blog. When visitors to the blog click on the thumbnail, the video will automatically play.

With Vlog It, "Serious Magic" says, events are tied to words and ideas instead of seconds and frames. Vlog It drastically cuts the time required to capture, edit, render, compress and upload video, making it a radically easier and faster way to share video on the Web.

Vlog It introduces consumers to the vlog-creation process with a three-step Wizard, so novices can access a variety of newscast-style themes. Each theme includes coordinated graphics, titles, lower-third graphics, backgrounds and music so videos look as if they were created inside a television newsroom. Experienced users can go directly into the advanced interface for greater control and more options.

For those that wish to appear on camera, Vlog It takes live input from standard webcams and camcorders. To put themselves on camera, users need to simply place their camera on their computer monitor and plug it into their PC. When reading their text blog from Vlog It's on-screen teleprompter, it appears the user is looking directly at the camera while they are reading.

Vlog It also offers the ability to replace a background with an image or video. This is useful for the blogger wishing to appear "on location," such as in front of the White House discussing political views, or in an actual newsroom commenting on the day's events. To utilize this feature, users place any green or blue fabric behind them or purchase a green screen backdrop from Serious Magic's Web store.

"Because Vlog It lets people make their own online videos quickly and easily, we expect bloggers to create personalized mini documentaries, video diaries, news shows, reality-TV shows - and even entirely new show formats that they'll conceive to express themselves and share their world with others," said Randall.

Vlog It is now available via electronic download or CD at www.seriousmagic.com and through resellers for $49.95.