posted on March 23, 2009
To view video, enable JavaScript.
This 1-minute video is a brief introduction to Drupal, the free open source content management system (CMS) and application framework initially created by Dries Buytaert.
An earlier cut premiered at the SxSW Trade Show this month, but it was playing silently, meaning that those who saw it got only part of the story.
Anyway, we hope you like it, and welcome your feedback!
Video No.:
1 
Comments
Pat Teglia writes:
Well done! Was this the video that was giving you Final Cut angst?
CrashTest_
Laura writes:
Thanks!
I can't say the video broke Final Cut, but it's what I was trying to export uncompressed when Final Cut kept crashing. I wish Final Cut was coded to take advantage of all the processors.
Damien McKenna writes:
Very nicely done!
Tom Geller writes:
It's really great to see materials that aim for non-technical audiences -- not only in content, but also in style and form. Well done!
roy writes:
Here's my critique…
The music is too prominent (and rather cheesy to my taste), the voice sometimes almost drowns in it. The voice itself is a bit monotonous, not very lively or enthousiastic, which makes the clash with the music even more apparent. Please consider tuning down the music a notch or two.
Not sure if the silly bit in the middle about Dries is really helpful in presenting Drupal as a professional tool.
I've personally never been impressed with the "thousands of modules" argument. Those can't be all that good.
I do like the "power to connect" pay-off very much. I think the movie would have been much stronger if it were scripted around supporting just that motto.
jw writes:
Have you ever used Drupal? "Those can't be all that good". Spoken like someone who has no experience with the software.
I agree with some of your critiques (ie background music and voice over) but you probably shouldn't start bashing the Drupal Project unless you're familiar with it.
Kudos on the Telly's... very cool cinematography. Some very cool effects in this. Well done!
TheLandman writes:
Perhaps you should try using drupal! Its because of those "thousands of modules" that makes drupal one of the most powerful CMS's in the world.
Great vid Laura! I take it this was done in After Effects? :)
Laura writes:
Thanks!!!
The 3D compositing was done using Apple Motion. It was my first time using it. I'm much more accustomed to the older tools like Combustion and AE.
Mike Pixie writes:
Yeah I would definately try Drupal and its thousands of modules before being critical. Even the bad modules are good compared to other cough cough apparently open source CMS's
Super handy. Even if you dont use the module in your completed product its great to have access to so many quality tools for building or sketching out a site.
Ryan Dempsey writes:
Loved it! Well done.
NonProfit writes:
WOW! Exactly what I would have said (but in eight hours less time.) Superbly done!
Jim writes:
Added to DrupalSightings.com
Brian writes:
Great work!
What are the usage restrictions on this?
Are we allowed to use this video outside of this webpage?
To show potential clients for example?
Laura writes:
Thanks, Brian!
No usage restrictions, except for no derivs. If you want to embed it somewhere, we seeded the video on YouTube and Blip.TV:
http://pingv.blip.tv/file/1913642/ and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF1X12PE6...
They both offer higher resolutions versions.
Brian writes:
Thanks Laura :)
Patrick Harris writes:
Fantastic video - very very stylish. Extremely impressive.
Laura writes:
In recent news, "What is Drupal?" won six Telly Awards. :)
Lanesa writes:
Nice Video Laura!!!! Just seeing this...
introfini writes:
It would be great to have it translated in other languages. I can do it for Portuguese :-)
introfini
Laura writes:
Great idea! I just made the video available on DotSub.com, where we can crowdsource translation. Help translate "What is Drupal?"!
Zohar writes:
Translated to Hebrew ;-)
See on drupal.org.il homepage: http://www.drupal.org.il (bottom left)
Taran Rampersad writes:
Congratulations for the awards!
Daglees writes:
Awesome video, great job!
FilmKnurd writes:
What software(s) did you use to produce the video?
Laura writes:
3D compositing in Motion, assembly in Final Cut, sound mix in Soundtrack Pro, flash conversion in Sorensen Squeeze. All on a MacPro.
Chris Pitchford writes:
Congratulations on winning 6 Telly awards!
I just read about the kudos on the Drupal.org site!
Geshan Manandhar writes:
Great video, this site seems to be made in Drupal too good.
Anonymous writes:
this is an award winning video.
I guess this is the direction of the future..
Instead of information, we have
Nonformation.
I had no idea what drupal was before this video. Know I know that is does everything and is spectacular, but have no idea what it is, or what it does.
Wow, the future of non-communication... all flash and no substance. Great!
Anonymous writes:
i've built two websites with drupal and I've got a diploma in media/animation - and I am afraid i agree with Anonymous...
What are those awards for?
[or was the competitions so lame? ;-) ]
I love drupal - love to make beautiful things the more difficult way...
Laura writes:
Thank you.
Mike Hathaway writes:
Great video. I have to explain to admin why I want to scrap a cms system I built a few years ago and move over to drupal. This video answers there initial questions.
Thanks
ViewOracle writes:
Hi Laura,
Even within the IT world Drupal is actually not very well known or understood. My personal opinion is that calling it a Content Management System, as happens in many hosting suppliers text e.g. GoDaddy and many books written on Drupal, is very misleading and gets people to switch off from appreciating just how much can be achieved with it for very little cost and effort compared to other options.
Your video comes close to explaining that it is more than just a CMS and the vast resource behind it that enables it to be used to develop leading edge and core business functionality.
The music is perfect, as Drupal is exciting, the message at the end loses it, I think of Drupal as 'The Power to Enable', to connect is just one of the many functions it enables.
There is a massive audience for the message in your video and a second version taking in all the feedback you have received is desperately required.
If you do one please send it to me, would love to see it.
Kind regards.
ViewOracle
NoExperience writes:
I absolutely loved this video! Mixing humor disarmed the unexperienced in the world of "geek."
Usng a female narrator was fun and the runway music showcased the brief explanation well! I can see why it won so many awards. I learned about the product while enjoying the show!