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Planning the Perfect Slideshow Production
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By Sandra Clukey
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Planning the Perfect Slideshow Production
Planning is the perfect slideshow takes time and effort. Butwith the help of a professional slideshow creation company thevalue of your time and effort will be priceless. Whether you'recreating a wedding slideshow, reception slideshow, anniversaryslideshow, graduation slideshow, birthday slideshow, Mother'sDay or Father's Day Slideshow, Valentine's Day Slideshow,Christmas slideshow, memorial slideshow, or a slide show for anyoccasion here is a planning checklist you can follow to ensure apriceless slideshow production keepsake.
1. Choose the length of your slideshow production.
__10 minute slideshow
__15 minute slideshow
__20 minute slideshow
__25 minute slideshow
__30 minute slideshow
__40 minute slideshow
____minute slideshow (you fill in the blank)
__It doesn't matter how long
2. Choose your timeframe.
__ Lifespan of main character/s in slideshow.
__Specific timeframe for each year. For example: Piano recitalsfor the last ten years.
__Is there more than one person's life who is going to befeatured in this slideshow?
__Do you want their lives shown __separately __simultaneously
__Is the timeframe very specific such as this years summervacation?
___________________________________ fill in the blank for whatthe timeframe is.
__________ - __________ Fill in the blanks with the specificyears or timeframes you want covered in your slideshow.
3. Questions to ask before choosing the photographs for yourslideshow.
__Is the photograph clear and not blurry? Blurry photographsare hard to correct and the larger the image, the more blurrythe photo appears.
__Is the photograph too bright or too dark? Although somecorrections can be made here, if the photograph is too bright ortoo dark, you may loose quality in the photograph.
__Is someone or something blocking the main focus of thephotograph? Unwanted objects or big heads in the way of the mainfocus of the photograph detract from the photo and does not giveyou the best quality slideshow.
__Is the photograph in focus? What you see is what you get -magnified.
__ Is the photo too grainy? Grainy photos do not scan well.
__Has the photograph been cut up to use in a photograph memorybook? Cut up photos look great when done properly for memoryalbums, but they work poorly for slideshows.
4. __ Organize your photos by year or by timeframe. For exampleif your slideshow is going to span the lifetime of a person,organize your photos by year. Make separate piles for each year.
5. The pictures are now organized, but I have too many. Which ofthe best pictures do I choose? If the slideshow is personal andmainly for one person you can have as many pictures as you wantand not worry about boring anyone since everyone loves to seephotographs of themselves, but if the slideshow is going to beseen by an audience ask yourself these questions:
__ Do I have more than 2 photos of a specific category?Example: 2 photos of little Emily in her favorite Easter dressin 1987 is more than enough.
__Are the pictures similar enough that one can be put aside?You do not want to bore your audience, the more variety in thephotographs, the more entertaining the slideshow will be.
__ Do you have 12 photos taken in 1987 and 4 taken in 1988? Tryto keep the years as close to even as possible.
__Are there a variety of photographs of others? If you reallywant to entertain your audience, try to include pictures of themin the slideshow. Everyone loves to see themselves light up onthe big screen! It will make them feel a part of your specialevent and keep their interest peaked to see who will be showingup next. In addition, include credits in the slide show whenapplicable. Give credit to mothers, fathers, grandparents,brothers, sisters, friends, bridal party, and anyone else towhom credit is due.
If you still have trouble cutting down the amount ofphotographs, ask for help. A mom choosing pictures of her childtends to think every picture is worth showing - I know becauseI'm a mom - but if you ask dad for help, or a close friendyou'll be amazed at how much they can cut down the amount ofphotos to go in your slideshow!
6. __After choosing the photos look at them carefully and decidewhether or not you want captions with the photograph. Captionscan add to the appeal of the picture for the audience to helpthem understand what is happening in that particular photo. Theycan also add to the humor or sentimental value of the video. Notevery picture should have a caption; for the most part thephotos should be able to speak for themselves. Your audience maynot enjoy the slideshow as much with too many captions. However,in certain circumstances, such as creating a slideshow for aloved one who is away serving in the military captions can bequite effective.
7.__ Now it's time to choose your music. Hollywood producerswill tell you that the right or wrong music can make or break amovie production. Choose the music according to the feeling youwant to give your audience. Happy, sentimental, funny,nostalgic.... it's all in the music. Choose music that meanssomething to you or the person you are creating the slideshowfor. Check the length of the music to the number of photos youwant to use and the type of slideshow you are choosing. Writedown your choices of songs, the artist and album below.
1.__________________________________________________________2.__________________________________________________________3.__________________________________________________________4.__________________________________________________________5.__________________________________________________________
8. __Choose Video Clips - Adding a couple of short video clipsto your slideshow can help break up and enhance your slideshow.Keep your video clips short if possible. 30 seconds - 2 minutes.Once you find the video clips you want to use, copy exactly whatyou want included onto a separate video tape. Do not send theoriginals in the mail.
9. __Consider using Voiceovers - This can add a sentimentaltouch to any slideshow. This can be done using a video camera,or with some digital cameras that take video. Just be sure totell your slideshow company that you just want to use the voice,not the video.
10. __ View Samples, Choose Your Slideshow Company, and PlaceYour Order-There are many slideshow companies to choose from, sohow do you know which one is right for you? Always view theonline samples. To narrow your search look for unique andcreative slideshows. Your memories are special and unique andshould be treated as such. Stay away from the cookie-cutterpicture after picture slideshows. Creativity and uniqueness arekey elements to any truly stunning slideshow.
11. __Back up your photos. Make sure you have copies of yourphotos or the negatives. Slideshow companies are not responsiblefor what happens to your photos while in the mail. And unlessyou have a back-up, photos are irreplaceable.
12. __Pack your photos with care. Use proper packaging material.Always place 5x7's or 8x10's between pieces of cardboard. Makesure the photos and other material is packed tightly to avoidmoving around inside the box. When packaging your photos placethem in Ziploc baggies. This will protect them from any possiblewater damage and also works great for separating your photoschronologically. You should also place your discs or videos inZiploc baggies. And always insure your package. Although lost ordamaged mail is a rare occurrence, it's always best to beprepared. And always opt for priority mailing services. The lesstime in the mail - the better.
Your time and effort is now finished. Your slideshow companywill take care of you from here. They should be in constantcommunication with you and you should have a good idea when toexpect your slideshow to be finished. Sands of Time MultimediaCreations creates unique and creative slideshows for everyoccasion. Creative anniversary slideshows, graduationslideshows, birthday slideshows, Mother's Day or Father's DaySlideshows, Valentine's Day Slideshows, Christmas slideshows,memorial slideshows, the list goes on and with Sands of TimeMultimedia Creations your satisfaction is guaranteed. So visitus today and experience the difference!
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