6 Video Apps to Help You Share Your Research

Video is a great way for researchers like us to share our research with our loved ones without boring them to tears. People enjoy a visual show and many times the video format forces us to scale the information down, which in turn makes it enjoyable for our loved ones.

And? It keeps them interested and may get them to start asking questions or sharing stories.

So I've compiled a list of 6 video/slideshow apps that can be used to make short videos on your smartphone or, in some cases, your tablet. A perfect idea to do before the holidays so if you get the chance you can take out your smartphone or tablet and share some stories in video format, and maybe, just maybe, you might get some information or stories shared with you. [Stranger things have happened.]

1. ProShow Web Creates Slideshows Quick and Slick from any iOS Device by Barbara Holbrook from Appcraver.com ~ This is a link to Barbara's review of this app. I haven't used it yet, but it looks promising. So check it out.
   
2. Animoto ~ App for iOS & Android with free and premium features. I've played with it, but it's not my favorite, but that's just me. You might like it.
   
3. Videolicious ~ App for iOS devices with free and premium service. The free service only allows 1 minute videos, but it's SO easy to use. Here's a link to a video that I created using Videolicious [free version]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCaw3StdTSU&feature=share&list=ULRCaw3StdTSU 
   
4. Silent Film Director ~ This app is for for iPhone only and comes in free and Pro versions. This is a fun one to use. What I like about it is the amount of control you have over the editing process and there's no limit to video length. [Bonus!] I purchased the Pro version for $1.99, and here's a link to a video I created using Silent Film Director: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSzCfNmRWSU&feature=share&list=ULwSzCfNmRWSU
5. iPhoneSlideshow ~ for iOS is available in the App Store for $1.99 for the iPhone version & $3.99 for the iPad version. I've been playing with it, but I've not created anything with it yet. [The keyword is 'yet'. =) ]. For family history researchers, it does seem to have all that you need to make a fabulous video to wow your family members. So definitely check it out.
   
6. iMovie ~ iOS [and MAC] with a $4.99 prove tag for the iOS version, it makes some very nice short videos. This was the first video app I ever tried, and I've used it several times. It's limited in its themes for the iOS version, but very easy to use. Highly recommend it. I like being able to narrate over the video and music. Here's an example of me using it to share my great-grandmother's baptismal record: 
   

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So. Do you use a different smartphone or tablet video maker app for sharing family history research? Share down in comments below what you love to use and why!

Happy Researching!
~Caroline