1. Determine how long you want your slideshow to be.
The length of your video will determine how many photos you can use. you can usually use about 100 pictures for a 10 minute show. And that is about all most audiences can handle.
A 20 minute creative video clip can feel like only 10 minutes, where a 10 minute fade-in, fade-out “slideshow” can feel like 30 minutes to a lot of people.
As we all know, we don’t always enjoy viewing one anothers photos for a long period of time. So, the more creative the show, the longer it can play and your audience will not even realize how much time has passed.
However, as soon as the video started they noticed immediately that this was not your photo-after-photo slideshow. Their attention was captured from the beginning to the ending as they laughed, cried, and cheered. At the end they were surprised it was over and stated that they had no idea an hour had passed! They all purchased their own copy of the video. Creativity – the key to a truly great video clip presentation! Not just slideshow…
2. Please Your Audience
If possible include some photos of the people who will be viewing the presentation. Everyone loves to see themselves light up on the big screen! It will make them feel a part your special event and keep their interest peaked to see who will be showing up next. In addition, include credits in the slide show when applicable. Give credit to mothers, fathers, grandparents, brothers, sisters, friends, bridal party, and anyone else to whom credit is due.
3. Decide Your Theme
Choosing your theme will help you choose your photos.
A. Do you want your video clip to span the life of an individual?
B. Is more than one person’s life going to be featured in this video clip? If so, do you want their lives shown separately or simultaneously?
C. Is the video clip going to focus on a specific aspect of the person’s life such as a sports video? A particular hobby? Or a particular quality aspect of a person’s life such as in a Mother’s Day Slideshow or Father’s Day Slideshow?
D. Is the time frame very specific as in a vacation slideshow? Or Christmas slideshow highlighting the current years events?
4. Choose and Organize Your Photos
These are very crucial steps and also very challenging. After all, almost every photo of Jane or Bobby is truly unique and beautiful and shows different character qualities. Sometimes it’s good to have a friend help you because they can be more objective. As cute as Jane or Bobby is, most people get the point after about 3 – 5 pictures in a certain time frame. Organize your photos chronologically or by theme. Or depending on your video clip, both. Ask Lindologo for advice.
An example for choosing your photos – Becky is doing a slideshow of her daughter’s graduation. She wants the photos to be from the day she was born to the day of her graduation. She goes through her photos, picks out her favorites and organizes them according to the year. Then she goes back and selects her very favorites from her favorites. Sometimes a third time is necessary, by then you will need to determine which ones MUST be in the video clip and which ones can be omitted.
5. Choose Quality Photos
This will help you in the choosing process. Ask yourself these questions:
A. Is the photograph clear, not blurred or hazy? The blurring and haziness will be enhanced the more enlarged the photo is.
B. How is the lighting? Too dark or washed out?
C. Is the photo too grainy? Grainy photos do not scan well.
D. Has the photo been cut in an odd shape? – Although these work great for scrapbooking, they work poorly for videos.
6. Choose Your Captions
Captions can add to the appeal of the picture for the audience to help them understand what is happening in that particular photo. They can also add to the humor or sentimental value of the video. Not every picture should have a caption; for the most part the photos should be able to speak for themselves. Your audience may not enjoy the video clip as much with too many captions. But in certain circumstances such as creating a video clip for a loved one who is away serving in the military – captions can be quite effective. Ask Lindologo consultant for their expertise in this area.
7. Choose Your Music Carefully
Hollywood producers will tell you that the right or wrong music can make or break a movie production. Choose the music according to the feeling you want to give your audience. Happy, sentimental, funny, nostalgic…. it’s all in the music. Choose music that means something to you or the person you are creating the video clip for. Check the length of the music to the number of photos you want to use and the type of video you are choosing. Lindologo will be able to help you determine how many songs will be needed after you have selected your photos.
We welcome any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us and we will respond as quickly as we can.