Instagram has rolled out its Reels feature to everyone.
Now it’s possible for you to make your own music videos within Instagram itself.
Heres how to get started.
Reels is a feature that allows you to record and edit short videos set to songs.
Yeah, its basically TikTok.
Heres how to make your first Instagram Reel or your first Reels.
The singular is unclear.
It’s free, every week, in your inbox.
First, get into the Instagram Camera by swiping from the main timeline.
Live and Story you probably already know about, so swipe over to Reels and get started.
Tools
Youll notice some icons on the left.
These are your Reels tools, which help you set up the video to your whimsical specifications.
Lets run through them.
The first tool is audio.
The second tool is speed.
This controls the speed at which the clip you record is played back.
The third tool is effects.
They change your appearance or add some flying icons to the video.
The fourth tool is a timer.
you’re free to set a timer that allows you to film for a certain period of time.
The timer also counts down, giving you a moment to get in position before it starts recording.
you might also add a filter when you review the Reel before uploading by swiping over the footage.
Editing
Reels doesnt have editing per say.
Speed and effects cant be adjusted after filming, however.
Youll see a magenta bar at the top of the screen that fills up the longer you film.
This is essentially the progress bar for your Reel, and when its full you cant record any more.
Once youre ready to share the Reel, tap the right-pointing arrow next to the record button.
Youll be prompted to watch the whole thing again, to verify its perfect.
Next, you’ve got the option to choose where to share the Reel.
Its very much like that cough other short-form video app, the name of which I forget.
Heres what it looks like:
And thats it!
Thats everything you oughta know to get started with Reels.
Story byRachel Kaser
Rachel is a writer and former game critic from Central Texas.
She enjoys gaming, writing mystery stories, streaming on Twitch, and horseback riding.
Check her Twitter for curmudgeonly criticisms.
