WordPress Beginner Workshop for Filmmakers

Kelly Wittenberg Western Michigan University

What is WordPress?

Best Solution for Film Not just for blogging Personalized showcase for your film portfolio Completely adjustable to individual needs “Themes” provide starting point Don’t have to “Blog” if you don’t want to

Technically Speaking

Open-Source Platform

A No-Brainer

2 Types of WordPress wordpress.com Completely free Plug and play Limited themes Less creative control No technical knowledge required Ads on your site wordpress.org Free to download themes Need to buy domain name Need to buy hosting plan Complete creative control Some technical knowledge required No ads on your site

Self-Hosting Use WordPress dot org Buy (godaddy.com) Pay for Server Space (bluehost.com)

Tools You Need Computer with Internet (Mac or PC) Internet Browser (Firefox, Chrome, Safari…) Image editing software (Photoshop, Pixlr) Video Compressor (Mpeg Streamclip) Pen and paper

Stay Organized Get a binder Take notes Write down passwords

Choosing a Domain Name Best choice is Keep it simple and easy to remember You may not get your first choice Try godaddy.com

Webhosting bluehost.com dreamhost.com Others are okay, but if you see what appears to be a bargain, compare with the terms at bluehost

Planning Your Site What kind of creative person are you? Online gallery or portfolio? Present your films online? Showcase your writing? Evidence of Teaching, Service, Professional Development?

Seek Inspiration Bookmark other sites you like Investigate others in your field to see what they are doing Create a list of elements you like

Choose Your Theme Go to Search themes Look at examples with content Bookmark your favorite choices

Create a Map

Playing Video on Your Site Use Vimeo Plus for your film work Use YouTube for student films Compress videos according to guidelines at each service

Using Photographs Use Photoshop to resize images for the web Large images no more than 800 pixels wide and 80KB When in doubt, check general setting in your theme for sizing guidelines

Best Resources for Help online tutorial WordPress help pages The Creative Person’s Website Builder by Alannah Moore