Building A Better Video Scrapbook

The purpose of this web log is to share ideas from the Living Scrapbooks ("America's Most Referred Video Scrapbook") video consultant staff, as well as customers, on elements that make a great video scrapbook that makes an emotional impact.

Thursday, March 31, 2005

How to Specify Addition of Video Clips

In order to add video, we recommend for each video clip:
  • Rewind tape to beginning
  • Reset tape counter to zero
  • Goto the scene you wish to add
  • Make note of time of scene start and scene end
  • Write a descritpion of the scene
  • Specify between what photos that video clip should be entered

Monday, January 17, 2005

Good Use of Text, Video & Voice Over's

Here are some basic rules of thumb on the use of text overlays, video, and voice-over's:
  • Text superimposed on a photo is best when starting a new song (to indicate a chapter of life), a brief description of a photo that might be unclear, or a funny one-liner. Text should be used very sparingly. Too much text interrupts the overflow of the Living Scrapbook and become tedious; you don't want your video scrapbook turn into a eye chart they have to read.
  • Video should be used sparingly to highlight important parts of one's life. The video cuts should be short. Too many video clips turns it into a home movie ; it detracts from the emotional impact of the animated pan and zooming of the photos.
  • Voice-overs are best used at the beginning or the end. They should be short and well thought out. Using voice-overs more than in the beginning and end could turn your video into a boring "travel log"; let the photos and music do the talking.

Anniversary Song Ideas

  • Through the Years (Kenny Rogers)
  • The Wedding Song (There is Love) Peter, Paul, and Mary
  • It's A Wonderful Work (Louis Armstrong)
  • Time of Your Life (Paul Anka)
  • Remember When (Alan Jackson)
  • Times of Your Life - Good Riddance (Green Day)
  • When You Say Nothing at All (Alison Krause)
  • Young at Heart (Frank Sinatra)
  • Love and Marriage (Frank Sinatra)
  • Under My Skin (Frank Sinatra)
  • As Time Goes By (Frank Sinatra)
  • You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You (Dean Martin)
  • Everybody Loves Somebody Sometimes (Dean Martin)
  • Because of You (Tony Bennett)
  • When I Fall in Love (Nat King Cole)
  • Unforgettable (Nat King Cole)
  • In My Life (Beatles)
  • In My Life (Bette Midler)
  • Forever and Always (Shania Twain )
  • Forever & Ever, Amen (Randy Travis)

Anniversary Video Chapter Ideas

Here are a few ideas on how to organize your photos for an anniversary video:

  • Couple while they were growing up.
  • The courtship years.
  • Marriage photos.
  • Post marriage, pre-children photos.
  • Growing up with the kids.
  • Vacation
  • Fun with family and friends
  • Holidays
  • Present day pictures
  • Grandchildren

Anniversary Closing Message

One of the most popular closing messages we use at Living Scrapbooks in our anniversary videos:

"Love is not measured
in moments of time
but in timeless moments.
Congratulations on learning
the secrets of love & friendship
and turning your marriage
into gold"

Sunday, January 16, 2005

Organizing Your Photos

Many people ask, "what is the best way to begin selecting and organizing photos" for my video scrapbook that will be prepared by the video consultants at Living Scrapbooks. The 4 basic rules are:
  1. Think of the video as a collection of chapters in a book; select your chapter titles first.
  2. Put your photos into piles that correspond to the chapters.
  3. For each chapter, organize the photos in the sequence you want them.
  4. Finally, select the music that best fits that photo chapter.

For more information on getting your project ready for submission to Living Scrapbooks, goto http://www.livingscrapbooks.com/order.htm