How to prepare Your Photo Montage Video
1. Select your pictures
- Any size and shapes may be used, however, wallet size to an 8x10
work best. (Some pictures may need cropping) , be sure to indicate
region of interest. All photographs must be
removed from any packaging. Home videos can be added also...
2. Music Selection - We suggest selecting
meaningful songs from own personal music library.
Best results come from CDs, although
MP3s can be used. Provide enough music... use this formula; for
every 8 pictures you will need about 1 minute of music. So... 30 pictures
would be 3.5 minutes.
3. Number the pictures - Line up your
pictures across the table to see the story develop. Number those
pictures on the back corner with a Pencil in a sequence (1,2,3...)
per segment (A,B,C,D...) . The first segment is labeled "A"
(A1...Ax), nest segment "B" (B1...Bx) and so forth.
Do not press hard as this will leave an
imprint on the picture which the camera will pick up.
DO NOT use a marker of ANY kind!
4. Video Running Time - Each
picture remains on the screen from about 6 seconds, but and be
pulled 3 seconds either direction. So then 10 pictures run
about one minute. There
is no limit on how many pictures you can use. Photo
count can be from 50 to 250 pictures.
5. Adding Titles - Separate your
pictures into groups to convey a clear message of Family trips,
Weddings, Getting to know each other. Place your titles between each
segment to define the next segment. Different songs can be used for
the various portions as well which will also convey a special
meaning. You can also add animated graphics and/or captioning to
exemplify the moment.
6. Special Effects - Our use of the
Ken Burns effect actually
enhances the video presentation with camera moves across a picture
creating drama through movement.
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The Ken Burns
technique is a type of
pan-and-scan
effect used in video production from still imagery
The technique is principally used in historical
documentaries where film or video material is not
available. Action is given to still photographs by
slowly zooming in on subjects of interest and panning
from one subject to another. For example, in a
photograph of a baseball team, one might slowly pan
across the faces of the players and come to a rest on
the player the narrator is discussing.
The effect can be used as a transition between clips
as well. For example, to
segue from one person in the story to another, a
clip might open with a close-up of one person in a
photo, then zoom out so that another person in the photo
becomes visible. The zooming and panning across
photographs gives the feeling of motion, and keeps the
viewer visually entertained.
Burns has credited documentary filmmaker
Jerome Liebling for teaching him how still
photographs could be incorporated into documentary
films.[2]
He has also cited the 1957
National Film Board of Canada documentary
City of Gold, co-directed by
Colin Low and Wolf Koenig, as a source of
inspiration for this technique |
7. Organize your pictures -
keep your pictures grouped in separate 9 x 12
envelopes labeling each envelope with segment name, total
number of pictures and there numbered sequence. Include the name of
the music segment used in the title as well as the name of the song
for that segment. Please enclose the music CD
in the envelope.
8. Shipping and Return -
Call to set-up an appointment to bring in your material or
send to address below. Your pictures are important and priceless so
we suggest that if you mailing the material that you:
Please send your package via a shipping service that provides a
tracking number (such as FedEx or UPS), so that it can be traced. We
cannot be responsible for any lost or misdirected packages.
-
Be sure to
write "Do Not Bend" on your package to prevent damage to your
photos.
-
Including a
piece of cardboard in your envelope is also recommended.
-
You can also
slip the photos in a plastic bag for extra protection
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MAILING ADDRESS
ONLY!
Azure IX Media -
Montage
1425 W. Schaumburg Road
Box 388
Schaumburg, Illinois 60194 |
For a
Studio Appointment Call 847-843-1089 |
Be sure to put your name on every envelope, CD and cassette to
ensure their return
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