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Mastering Family History Videos, Part One
What do you do with your photo, 8mm and vhs transfers now that you’ve converted into .AVI and .MOV (and others)? If you’ve already chosen to convert to DVD, there are programs that rip them into the files your editing software recognizes. Video montage is the art of turning seemingly unrelated elements into compelling stories which meet specific targets. This blog teaches editing guidelines for a Family History Video Library.
Make a family history video!
Principle #1: Know Thy Media
Because movies are both picture and sound, “having access” means having the ability to tell a story through audio or image. You begin with sorting what you have in front of you. Arrange by subject, then chronologically, and finally by “one-of-a kind” – elements which don’t fit neatly into obvious “travel, celebrations, pets, or sports” categories. These may be further developed, depending on your audience (see Principle #2).
Sort it thoroughly and all at once. Spend time listening for good audio elements, such as conversations from otherwise “poor quality” old videos and songs or music by family members. Continue with the “access” work by deciding what additional media you think is a must for your family’s story. This may be a person who’s willing to explain their feelings about a subject in your sorted pile. Or it may mean your own personal hunt for new images – examples: a photo of the old house you used to live in or grandmother’s window-shelf bottle collection. Having access and following through for the sake of “telling the whole story before it’s gone” gives your work a wonderful treasure-hunt satisfaction.
Principle #2: Know Thy Audience
The next step must always answer, “Who will see it?” While it’s not practical to make a video for each person watching, you must get an overall consensus of what needs to be included in the film. Start with a list of who will especially enjoy your movie. Contact them and ask what specific things would they like to see and hear.
This includes turning-point events, such as marriages, births, and celebrations, as well as “little stories”. Everyone will have a special memory that they’d like included in the video. Discovering these details will make your video more complete and much richer overall. Included are those little-known facts, or just plain “inside family jokes” – from your grandson’s first little-league game to grandfather’s unique tradition of opening the beach-house. Your confidence in giving your audience what they want, or treating them to what they don’t expect, will keep your motivation going as you move through the next steps of your first Family History Video.
Next blog – “Principle #3 and 4” – “Pick a Story” and “Build the Characters”
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Ed. Note: Meet the film maker and get an overview of her Emmy Award-winning production services here.