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 <yourname.com>

(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 <yourname.com>

• 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 <wordpress.org>

• 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

• www.lynda.com online tutorial

• WordPress help pages

• The Creative Person’s Website

Builder by Alannah Moore