Planning Guide

 
ESTABLISH YOUR PURPOSE
So you’ve made the decision to have your video montage created. Now what do you do? The following is a step-by-step process to help you start putting together your photos, titles, music, captions, video and any other special memorabilia items you would like to add (i.e. letters, ticket stubs, announcements, newspaper clippings).

Before you can search through your photo albums, you must have a <clear vision of your video's purpose. Do you want your video to be a tribute that includes photos from a person's entire life or to focus on a specific aspect, such as vacations or family? About how long do you want the video to be? Would you like your video to be funny, sentimental, or both? By having a general idea of where you are going with your video before you begin, the rest of the planning process will be much easier!

PHOTOGRAPHS
Go through your photos and choose the ones you would like to use. This process will not enhance a photo, so try to use photos that are basically in good shape, in focus, aren’t cut into shapes (i.e. hearts, circles, etc.), aren’t too dark or too light, etc. TV screens are wider than tall, so horizontal pictures work better than vertical pictures. Either can be used, but keep that in mind when making your choice. Slides can also be used, as well as photographs.

Now group them how you would like to view them in your video montage. They can be in chronological order, according to event, or child whatever makes sense to you. Number each photo, DO NOT write on the back of your photo, it may leave a crease on the front or could bleed through and you don’t want to ruin it. The best thing to use is a post-it note, AFTER you have written the number, placed on the back of the photo. You can then place them into Ziploc bags. Then mark the content on each bag.

If you choose to scan your photos yourself, you can follow the above directions, however scan them in NUMBERED order, to a CD and mark the content on the outside of the CD CDs should be put in CD cases to avoid being damaged.

VIDEO CLIPS
Mini DV Tapes are preferred, however we also accept VHS, VHSC, Hi8, 8mm, and beta. We also accept video files from digital cameras with files .mov .wmv .avi .mp4

Video Tape Clips: Every edited/chosen segment will be equal to one photo (even if they are a minute long), so make sure and count/number them accordingly, using written descriptions on your numbered post-its -- like “Baby in high chair” or “boy riding bike" etc. Or, if you know how, camera or VCR time codes can be used for tapes. Just make sure the tape is completely rewound and the time code reads 00:00:00 before you start. Then you can write the segment time codes on the post-it. If we are not sure of which sections you want, we will contact you for clarification. So please be as precise as you can. We also accept video clips from your digital camera. Just add them to a disk or card and send them to us and we can add them into your video.

TITLES AND CAPTIONS
Adding titles and/or captions is a great way to help the audience follow the story being told. A title is best to be used before each grouping of photos; captions can also be used for a specific photo. Keep in mind though that if you write too much, the attention will be diverted from the photo itself. Write Titles on separate paper and give this to us with your photos.

MUSIC
Provided that your video is for non-commercial use, you can use any song that you have purchased. Because you are simply using songs that you already own for another purpose solely for your personal enjoyment ("format shifting"), this can be considered "fair use" of the music and does not violate copyright law. Music is an important part of your video production. Keep in mind the context of the song and the context of the pictures when choosing your music. We would be more than happy to purchase any song on your behalf through iTunes (or another legitimate online source). If you provide your own music, please provide songs in Compact Disk format. Our representatives are glad to help in Music Selection. If you find you are having a hard time choosing a song, let us know and we can choose one for you. (note: in some cases, it is necessary to edit a song to fit the number of photos in a section).

YOUR WORK IS DONE!
Once you have completed the above steps, please give us a call and arrange to drop off or ship your materials. Go to pricing and decide which package your quantity of pictures fit into, and either pay witha credit card online (through paypal) or send a check with your pictures. Remember all DVD's are guaranteed to work and to be created to your satisfaction. Be sure to print out this form and send them with the pictures.

Timeline
* Choose your package.
*Arrange your photos as specified above.
*Complete order form.
*Contact Tears of Joy Video for drop off/shipping of materials.
*Approximately 2-4 weeks (depending on package) later Tears of Joy Video will contact you    either by phone or email to let you know your video production is complete.
*We will be sending samples over your email for approval.
(windows media format).
*After final approval you will receive your final production, including all copies, additional copies ordered, your original photographs, video and music.
We will keep a master copy of each video production on file. If you decide you would like extra copies, all you need to do is contact us.

*If there are any changes or additions at this time, this will be discussed with your Tears of Joy Video Representative. Additional charges may apply (see pricing). If there are any errors made on the part of Tears of Joy Video, they will of course be done at no charge to you.