How to Gather Your Materials for a Slideshow

Creating a memorable multimedia DVD slideshow is definitely a collaboration. We provide the technology and creativity to make a professional DVD, and you provide the story, the passion and raw materials to make it memorable.

This guide is to help you organize your thoughts about the production and understand the sequence of tasks to submit your project. We understand this is a big undertaking, and we are here to guide you, answer your questions and help streamline the process for you — so don't hesitate to contact us. We are committed to partnering with you to create a memorable production that you will enjoy for years to come.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR DVD?

Before you begin to gather your photographs and other materials for your DVD production, consider your personal vision for the project.

PREPARING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

Photos that evoke emotional responses are ideal. Choose images that are in focus and well preserved if at all possible. Look for interesting composition and action shots to balance with the posed shots.

There are two ways to group photos:

• Chronologically

• Thematically

It is interesting to use a combination of approaches in creating a dynamic dvd slideshow. If you are scanning your photographs, follow these guidelines:

Depending upon the condition and size of your older photos, we like to have them scanned in a few different resolutions to allow us greater range in editing them for the movie screen. If your photos are printed on textured paper, from a book, such as a yearbook, photocopy or newspaper, scan them at 72 and 96 dpi. These will not reproduce with great clarity, but we understand that it's important to include them in your show.

NAMING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

If you are sending digital images, you must rename your images so that the name of each image begins with the number according to the sequence within the show, such as "003," "010," "080," etc. As we begin to build the show, some of the sequence may shift, but this will enable us to more efficiently organize your material from the beginning. Your first photograph should be named 001. If your show has chapters, place each chapter in a separate folder before you burn a disc of your files. If submitting photos to be scanned, bundle each chapter separately. For example: childhood, early adult years, professional accomplishments, marriage and family, travels, personal legacy, etc. Each chapter should be numbered sequentially from the previous chapter.

IF WE ARE SCANNING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

If you want us to scan your images, place a light pencil number on the back of each photograph, or secure a post-it to the back with the number and title of the image. Carefully pack your photos in sequence for each song in separate bundles. Label the song that will be used. If you are also including a CD of digital photos, make certain that they are numbered with a three-digit name so that they will fall sequentially where you wish them to appear. Place digital files in separate folders for each chapter before burning the final CD.

ENHANCEMENT SERVICES

If you would like to have certain photographs enhanced, please add a note with your order. We can enhance backgrounds, remove or replace people or objects and touch up facial contours to smooth away blemishes, discolorations or lines.

ROYALTY FREE STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

Sometimes, we recommend using stock photography to add greater visual detail to a scene. These are especially useful for collages and switching out backgrounds. You might want to give more flavor for an era, or location, for instance, or add seasonal imagery. We have created feature length shows using only stock imagery. There are vast resources available on line, and the good news is that we know the best and the least expensive! Check out our favorite: istockphoto.com. For slideshows, you need to purchase images not less than 800 x 500 px. Horizontal framed images work best, but we can certainly work with vertical formats too.

VIDEO CLIPS

If you are including video clips, they may not be longer than 1 min. in length each. They must be submitted either on mini dv tape or as avi files on a disc or flash drive. If submitting a mini dv tape, have the tape rewound to the precise location of footage. Indicate where you would like the video to play in your production and whether you would like the audio portion of the video to be muted or not. If you want to use multiple clips on the same tape, please write down the counter times for each clip measured from the beginning of the tape. If your videos are in a different format, (VHS, 8mm or other), have them converted before you send them to us.

MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS

The music that you choose will set the mood for your production. If you are doing a tribute, you'll want to include music that is meaningful to the featured person. Use both sentimental and upbeat songs so that your video will evoke a range of emotions. Check out this song list of popular choices.

If you are using a recorded narration or written tribute in the production, we recommend using a instrumental background for those segments. We can easily edit audio files, so don't be concerned if you have a longer piece of music that you only want to use part of.

Sound effects are a wonderful enhancement that transport an audience right into the screen. Whenever you have images of outdoor scenes, these can become more alive by adding the right sound effects. Interior environments also come alive.

Some clients prefer to leave the musical selections up to our discretion. We are happy to customize a soundtrack that will fit the mood of each segment. We work with a wide range of musical styles from classical to world beat.

If you are planning on uploading your production to a website, YouTube or exhibiting your film in a public venue, you will want to make sure that your music is royalty-free to avoid copyright violations. For royalty-free music and sound effects, check out these resources.

To determine how many photos you can include with each song, here is a very "rough" guide:

Burn a CD with the songs you have selected or send us the original CDs of the music you wish to use in your production. If you purchase individual songs, we recommend Amazon because they will readily be able to be uploaded to your soundtrack. iTunes songs generally cannot. All materials will be returned to you when we send you your commemorative DVD.

NARRATION

If you would like to include a narration, write out your script and indicate the sequence of images or video clips that you would like it to run within. We will record it with our professional voice talent. You can also send us a pre-recorded narration in .wma, .mpg, .ogg, or .wav file formats. If you woud prefer the narration to be a written tribute, then we can design a series of frames with a fitting background to feature the tribute. Just indicate where in the sequence of the show you would like the written tribute to appear.

TITLES / CHAPTER TITLES / CAPTIONS

Send us your chapter titles and additional titles you may want for your show. If you want captions to appear with any photos, indicate the caption on a post-it note on the back of each image.

PAYMENT

Payment in full is due prior to beginning work on your production. We accept checks and all major credit cards via Paypal. Download our slideshow order form to submit your materials for production. If there are additional production charges incurred at your request, the balance must be paid before your DVD and materials will be shipped to you.

PACKING AND SHIPPING

When you pack up your show materials, be sure to put extra padding around your bundles so that they will be protected during transport. We request that you remove photos from their frames unless they are especially old and the photo paper would be damaged by removing them. Use sturdy cardboard to keep photo groups flat. Make certain that when you shake your box that nothing rattles. These are your precious memories — and with extra care, they will arrive safely to our studio. We will safeguard your materials as if they were our own. Our pledge to you is to preserve them in a Keepsake DVD Slideshow that will be enjoyed for generations.

Download our Slideshow Order Form

Popular Song List

Royalty-Free Music and Sound Effects

Royalty-Free Enhancement Photos & Video