Video quality
When looking for video to include in a multimedia project, it is important to be aware of how resolution and compression can impact the aesthetic of your piece. Resolution is the number of pixels running horizontally and vertically in your image.
The standard resolution for a project that combines video, image and audio elements is HD (1920x1080). If you don't want your video to have artifacts, make sure the files you download are at least 1920 pixels x 1080 pixels. You can check your files resolution by opening in a media player or video application and checking the properties of the video.
Some websites that allow download of videos also give the option for different formats. Since these files are usually heavily compressed, downloading the larger file type typically (not always) means it will be less compressed.
Stock video
Sites listed here contain downloadable stock footage with open licenses that you can freely use in your projects. Be sure to double-check the terms of the license for anything you want to use to see what you can do with it and how to credit the creator.
- CoverrNote that Shutterstock videos in search results are not free. Looks for sections of "free stock videos" in results
- PexelsAfter running a search, choose "Videos" at the top of the search results
- PixabayChoose "Videos" in the menu at the top of the screen
- VideezyAfter searching, check off "Standard" & "Creative Commons" in the License Type filter at the left
- VidevoAfter running a search, click the blue Filter button, then check off "Free clips" in the "Clip type" section
Video libraries
Video libraries listed here contain short clips and full-length films. Some are out of copyright or openly-licensed, and some are under copyright and would require a fair use assessment before use. Be sure to double-check the terms of the license for anything you want to use to see what you can do with it and how to credit the creator.
Starting points - large video libraries:
- Internet Archive Moving Image ArchiveVideos ranging from classic full-length films, to daily alternative news broadcasts, to cartoons and concerts. Check the Usage field on each video for copyright status.
- Library of Congress film & video collectionsDigitized film & video collections from the Library of Congress. Check the Rights & Access section of each video for usage info. Most are in the public domain.
- Wikimedia CommonsAfter searching, choose "Video" in the menu above search results. Check the Permission section of each file for details
Additional sources:
- C-Span Video LibraryRequires a free account to create downloadable clips. Clips are copyrighted and should be used after a fair use assessment
- Defensive Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS)Video, images, and audio from US defense agencies. Includes NASA. Most are in the public domain. After running a search, choose "Video" from the Type filter at the top of your search results.
- National Park Service MultimediaChoose "Video" from the filters at the left. Videos credited to NPS without any other copyright statement are in the public domain.
- The Open Video ProjectA collection of digitized video content including documentaries, educational, historical, and ephemeral films. Rights information is not provided.
- Prelinger ArchiveCollection of home movies, amateur films, and films made by or produced for US corporations, nonprofit organizations, community interest groups, educational institutions and more. Check the Usage field on each video for copyright status
- Digital Public Library of AmericaAfter running a search, choose Type "moving image" and see How Can I Use It? boxes on the left side
YouTube & Vimeo offer videos with Creative Commons licenses, however YouTube and Vimeo do not allow users to download the videos. Some content creators have included links in the descriptions of their videos for how to access and download their videos from another source. If you find a video you'd like to use and there isn't a link, you could contact the creator and ask for a copy of the file.
To find CC-licensed videos on YouTube, first do a search, then choose Filters from above your search results and choose "Creative Commons" from the Features menu. To find them on Vimeo, first do a search, then click on “More filters” in the “Refine” menu on the left, and choose an option from the “License” section
Tisch also provides access to DVDs & streaming video. Most of these aren't set-up to download clips, but get in touch if you need assistance in accessing portions of these films & videos.