| Are you one of those people who consider | | | | beforehand is so important. You will have to stop |
| yourself "computer savvy?" Maybe you would | | | | and come back to the project several times. |
| rather call yourself "technology challenged." Either | | | | Don't expect to have the editing done in an hour. |
| way, I can help you through the process of | | | | It will most likely take you at least 5 hours to |
| creating your very own custom home movie in a | | | | ensure that you end up with a high-quality final |
| very fun way. I will walk you through the step by | | | | product. |
| step process of organizing, editing and producing | | | | The next thing to consider is background music. |
| your own DVD movie. | | | | The best movies have the perfect background |
| Step One: | | | | music. For example, my last family movie |
| The first step is the most important. You need to | | | | featured an introduction to the family and I |
| collect all your pictures and videos that you want | | | | selected "We are Family" by Sister Sledge. It was |
| to use in your movie. While doing that, you should | | | | great because it was upbeat and lots of fun. |
| be thinking about what theme you want your | | | | Making a custom movie takes time and it is a |
| movie to be. For example: you may want to do | | | | creative process so ask other people to view |
| your child's birthday in which case you want to | | | | your movie before you finalize it. Sometimes you |
| collect all the pictures and videos from that event. | | | | get so used to looking at the movie, you can |
| I always make an annual family movie to share | | | | overlook small mistakes that others will see more |
| with our friends and relatives so every January I | | | | clearly. The final thing you need to do is save |
| collect all the pictures and videos of the previous | | | | your movie as an AVI file. AVI stands for Audio |
| year for my movie. | | | | Video Interleaved and is commonly used in many |
| Step Two: | | | | programs for audio video projects. |
| Now you have all your pictures and videos that | | | | Step Four: |
| you would like to use for your movie. If you have | | | | With your final movie saved as an avi file, you |
| any videos that are on outdated technology like | | | | now need to put in onto a DVD. Sounds easier |
| 8mm or VHS, you will need to have them | | | | said than done right? First you need to research |
| "transferred" to DVD. You can use a web service | | | | programs that do "DVD Authoring." DVD |
| to do this for you and it's very inexpensive. Also, | | | | authoring describes the process of creating a |
| if your pictures have not been scanned into the | | | | DVD video that can be played on a DVD player. |
| computer, you need to scan them in or send | | | | Select a program that says user-friendly or |
| them out to have that done for you. | | | | easy-to-use. Once you have your software you |
| Step Three: | | | | can begin to make your DVD. You can choose to |
| When you have everything on a disc, you can | | | | have a DVD menu or just an auto-play movie |
| begin the editing process. You should find a movie | | | | which will automatically start the movie once it's |
| editing program that you can use easily. Some | | | | inserted into your DVD player. You need to buy |
| operating systems have movie editing programs | | | | blank DVD's and cases. It's nice to buy cases |
| built in. When you begin to make your movie, | | | | because you can properly store your DVD's |
| take time to think about how you want to tell the | | | | without fear of them getting scratched and also |
| story. For example: if you wanted to do a movie | | | | so you can give them to your friends and family. |
| on your child's life you might want to start with | | | | Your local Office Depot or Staples will have blank |
| your pregnancy pictures or maybe the sonogram. | | | | DVD's and cases for you to choose from. Keep in |
| If you sent out birth announcements, you could | | | | mind that the more you buy, the better the price. |
| have the main screen be the announcement. | | | | Instead of sending Christmas cards out this year, |
| Be prepared to spend several hours in this step. | | | | you can send your loved ones copies of your |
| The editing process will be the most | | | | brand new custom movie on a DVD. How |
| time-consuming because you have to organize | | | | impressive! |
| everything and be mindful of your timeline. If you | | | | I hope this article has helped you bring your |
| don't want an extremely long movie, there will be | | | | memories back to life. |
| some pictures or video clips that don't make it in | | | | Good luck! |
| the movie. This is why organizing everything | | | | |