The Dream of Themes Comes True
Introducing the Editor's Themekit Library
by David Hebel

For years, customers have asked us to come out with more themed animations. In particular, they requested we create more themed Editor’s Toolkits. While this always seemed like a good idea, the thought of making a package with a broad enough appeal for a general market was extremely difficult. Since most Toolkits had ten or more sets it was sometimes difficult to create ten completely unique ideas for some themes. In a few cases like wedding and sports where the event videography market is well established, it wasn’t too hard to come up with enough ideas for a complete package; but for other themes, it was extremely challenging and we were left with the option of slipping a few themes into our multipurpose volumes, or waiting until we figured out exactly what to do.

Over the past ten years as the internet and iTUNES style a la carte buying has grown, so too has the drumbeat from our customers that we should sell individual pieces of content and sets. Some customers have felt they should be able to buy only the sets they want or need rather than being “forced” to buy as part of a package. Granted, a great idea for customers but can it be made into a sustainable business model for Digital Juice? After much thought and contemplation we decided our customer base might now be large enough and our price points just low enough to make it work for both customers and Juice.

Editor’s Toolkits have always been about animated sets consisting of coordinated backgrounds, lower thirds, overlays, wipes, motion design elements, and more. The basic idea is the same with Themekits with the exception that on average you’ll find the sets larger (more matching pieces) than the sets on our Editor’s Toolkit PRO line. In general, we tried to think through and create all the pieces a video editor would need when using a particular theme. In fact, as part of our design process, before finalizing any volume, we actually use the theme in a mock project. This mock project helps us determine if we need to add a few more pieces or if it is ready-to-go. Eventually these mock projects end up on our web site as Inspirations for customers.

For as long as Editor’s Toolkits have been out, we have been promising that some day we would release a Worship Toolkit. Every time we went to work on it we realized how hard it was to have a single package that would please everyone. In fact, it was impossible. It is just a fact that some churches are more traditional and liturgical, while others consider themselves a bit more edgy. Of course, there are those Churches in the middle who would use all styles of animations but there are just as many on the other sides that will only use traditional or only use contemporary graphics. Editor’s Themekits solve the problem completely for both us and our customers. Now when we have an idea that we think will make a great set we don’t have to delay and hold back until we have 8 or 9 other ideas to complement it. The time to market will be reduced drastically and the number of themes we can cover will be almost limitless.

Before our online forums light up with questions, and emails start pouring in, let me say that the first twenty-four volumes are divided among eight diverse themes. But this is just the start. Over the next year we will put a lot of effort into this line to try to cover as many themes in as many styles as we can. Someday we hope to provide you with all the animated sets you could dream of, covering Automobiles to Zoology and everything in between.

David Hebel is the CEO and Founder of Digital Juice, Inc.