1. How to Create an Animoto Video
A Slideshow Tutorial
Mrs. Goo
Grade 5
Language Arts

2. What is Animoto?
An award-winning website that produces digital slideshows quickly and easily.
Animoto videos:
are made up of selected images and text
may also include digital photos, graphics, and video clips
can be saved and shared online
can be downloaded and saved to a DVD

3. Be amazed!
The Animoto site allows you to get your message across in a very unique and artistic way. Here are some examples produced by Heeia 5th Graders.
"You Have a Voice" by Chirstyn
"Recycle...Go Green!" by Ian
"Calm" by Samantha
Find other Animoto videos at:

4. Let’s Get Started!

5. Step 1: Prepare Materials
Have your video storyboard ready to refer to. You may make changes as you work, but this will serve as a necessary outline as you plan out your video format so that everything relates to your message and theme.
This tutorial will involve using images and video clips previously saved to a file. Please have all selected images ready for access on the desktop.
Keep any additional notes and resources on hand for your convenience.

6. Step 2: Sign In
1. Go to

7. Step 2: Sign In continued
Click on the “Sign In” link located on the top right hand corner of the page. Do NOT click on the “Sign Up” link or the “Get Started” button since I have already registered each of you for an individual school account.
Click here

8. Step 2: Sign In continued
Enter your gmail account in the “ address” box. Double check that all letters, numbers, and symbols are correctly inputted.
Enter the same password that you currently use for Kidblog.
Your Animoto password and Kidblog password will be the
same so that it is easier to remember.

9. Step 2: Sign In continued
5. Deselect the “remember me” box so that it is blank. Click on it once and the check mark should disappear. Doing this will keep your account secure when others use the same computer as you.
Click here
Click here

10. Step 2: Sign In continued
6. When the “remember me” box is cleared, go ahead and click on the blue “Sign In” button.
Click here

11. Step 2: Sign In continued
7. The sign in button will change to “Processing…”.
8. It will then lead you to your personal account page called “My Videos”. Click on the blue “Get Started” button to continue.
Click here
Click here
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12. Step 3: Select Video Style
1. The “Hi, ______!” greeting in the top right hand corner should include your name.
Click here
Click here
2. Click on the blue “Create Video” button to get started.
Clickhere

13. Step 3: Select Video Style continued
3. You will now be on the “Pick a video style” page.
Click here
4. Select one of the “All Access” styles that are a part of the Animoto school account. Your account does not include any of the “Pro” styles.
5. Please do not upgrade your account.
Clickhere

14. Step 3: Select Video Style continued
You may click on the preview link to see a sample of the style
first. Keep your theme in mind as you make your selection.
7. Click on the create link when you have decided on the style.
Clickhere

15. Step 4: Add Images
1. You will be in the “Photos & Videos” tab. The Animoto site will direct you to “Step 1: pics & vids”. There are several different ways to add images, but we will use the “Upload” and/or “Select” method. Click “OK” on the Video clips caption to clear it.
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16. Step 4: Add Images continued
2. Click on the Upload button located at the top of the list.
Click here
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17. Step 4: Add Images continued
3. A window will open that will help you to retrieve your image or video file from your computer documents or desktop.
Click here
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18. Step 4: Add Images continued
4. Select your desired image and click on the “Open” button.
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19. Step 4: Add Images continued
5. Your picture will appear as a thumbnail image on the “Photos & Videos” grid.
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Click here

20. Step 4: Add Images continued
6. Another way to add images is by selecting them from the Animoto collection. You may choose from images or video clips that are categorized in collections based on themes and occasions.
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Click here

21. Step 4: Add Images continued
7. Click on the picture to select the image or video clip you want to use in your video slideshow. If you want to select more than one image at a time, hold the “ctrl” or “command” key. Selected images will be outlined in orange.
8. To see a preview of any image or video clip, click on the thumbnail image.

22. Step 4: Add Images continued
9. When you have finished making your selections, press “done”
to proceed to the workspace. The “done” button can also be
thought of as a “save” button. It is located on the bottom right
corner.
10. You may rearrange the images by clicking on the picture and dragging it to the desired location. There are functions on the tool bar at the bottom of the screen that you may also use. Click on the buttons and follow the directions displayed on the screen.

23. Step 5: Add Text
You may add text blocks in almost the same way as images.
Click on the “add text” button.
Click here
2. A “T” icon will be shown whenever a text block is added.

24. Step 5: Add Text continued
Enter the text or title that you wish to add to your video. Remember that the main text can be up to 22 characters long, and the sub text can be up to 30 characters long.
Click on “done” when you are finished.
5. Drag and drop the text block to its desired location.

25. Step 5: Add Text continued
Review your images and text to be sure they are in the desired order and support your intended message. Also, as a guide, a 30-second video uses 8-15 blocks of elements (text, images, video), depending on the pace of the song.
7. Click on “done” when you are ready to move on to music selection.

26. Step 6: Add Music
1. Animoto allows you to upload music, but for all of our school projects, we will choose music from the Animoto library.
2. Similar to selecting images, click on the “select from our collection” button.
Click here

27. Step 6: Add Music continued
3. Scroll through the different choices and choose a genre. Please use the headphones provided so that you do not disturb your classmates.
Click on “play” to hear a 30-second sound clip.
5. When you find the song that you would like to use, click on “select”.

28. Step 6: Add Music continued
6. Review your song choice and click on “change your soundtrack” if you would like to make another selection. Click on the “Continue” button when you are ready.
Click here

29. Step 7: Finalize Your Video
1. Leave the settings how they are and press the “continue” button.
Click here

30. Step 7: Finalize Your Video continued
Enter a title. This will be the name of your video slideshow.
The Description box is optional. You can write a short description of your video in this box if you wish.
Double check that your name is in the Producer Name box. Remember to include your first name and last initial only.
Click on the “create video” button.

31. Step 7: Finalize Your Video continued
6. The following screen will appear. A flashing green circle will identify the current stage in the rendering process.
7. As stated on the screen, you can choose to wait or navigate away from the screen. Your video will still be saved even if you go to another site or shut down the computer.

32. Step 7: Finalize Your Video continued
Since you are unable to receive any notices with your school gmail account, simply return to the screen in 3-5 minutes, and your video should be done.
The video will automatically appear and be ready for playback.

33. You are now ready to create your own video. Have fun!
Congratulations!