Make a Slideshow With Music! Simple Video Slideshow Production Steps!

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Introduction To Video Slideshow Production

Video slideshow production is not a complex process but making a successful video slideshow is more likely if you plan for it.

Planning also makes the video slideshow production process flow more smoothly.

Video slideshow production is not necessarily a sequential process but is a bit of an iterative one where later decisions in the process may feedback to earlier decisions.

If you want to find out how to make a video slideshow with music then watch the video and/or read the content below.

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Contents For Video Slideshow Production

• Introduction To Video Slideshow Production
• Video On Video Slideshow Production
• Simple Video Slideshow Producion Steps
• Step 1 – Choose Video Slideshow Length Of Time
• Step 2 – Choose Video Slideshow Theme
• Step 3 – Video Slideshow Organization
• Step 4 – Create Video Slideshow Captions
• Step 5 – Select Video Slideshow Soundtrack
• Step 6 – Produce Video Slideshow
• Video Slideshow Production With Animoto

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Video On Video Slideshow Production

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Simple Video Slideshow Producion Steps

You can either produce the video slideshow yourself or pay a professional video slideshow production company to create a unique video slideshow for you. Either way, the planning process does take a little time and effort. Video slideshows may be produced for personal, educational or business purposes. In this article we focus on video slideshows for personal purposes. Follow these simple steps for a smoother video slideshow production process:

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1. Choose Video Slideshow Length Of Time – Firstly you should know the length of the slideshow you want to produce in terms of time. In turn, the length of time will determine the number of items, that is images and video clips, you need for the video slideshow. On the other hand, if you already know how many images and video clips you have then that will determine the length of the video slideshow.

   There is not an exact relationship between the number of items in a video slideshow and length of time, as it will be affected by the display time of each item and the transition time between items. Depending on the video slideshow production tool or service you use:

   • Image Display Time – You may be able to set the image display time for yourself, within limits; or
   • Transition Time – You may be able to set the transition time for yourself, within limits; or
   • Template Times – Item display and transition times are set by the video slideshow template you choose.

   The length of the image display time and transition time to use will depend on the speed or tempo of the video slideshow you want to create. An upbeat video slideshow will use a quicker changeover between images, or short display and transition times. A more relaxed or peaceful video slideshow will use a longer display and transition time.

   As a rough example let us consider a simple template, also called a style or theme, for a more relaxed video slideshow. We will use a simple fading-in and fading-out template with a 1.5 second fade-in and fade-out and an image display time of 4.5 seconds. The time required for each image will be 7.5 seconds. For a 10 minute video slideshow, such a template would use about 80 (10 min x 60 sec = 600, 600 sec / 7.5 sec = 80 images) images.

   The length of time to use for your video slideshow will depend on the way it is to be used and the audience watching it:

   • Sales Video Slideshow – If you are creating a promotional or sales video slideshow for a product and the audience is a potential customer then it will most likely be short, up to 3 minutes.
   • Personal Video Slideshow – If you are going to show a personal video slideshow such as for a wedding during the wedding reception or for a group or family get together then 10 minutes is about right for the attention span of most audiences.

   Again, there is no hard and fast rule about this. If you are showing an especially interesting topic; using fascinating material; or using a creatively stunning template; then a longer 20 minute video slideshow may seem as though it was only 10 minutes. If using a creative template for your video slideshow then the 80 images in the example will probably be reduced to about 50 to 60 images. On a positive note, using a creative template may enable you to show a longer video as the extra interest it creates makes the video slideshow seem shorter than it is.

   Hence, using a creative video slideshow that lasts for 20 minutes may seem just 10 minutes long, whilst a fading in and out video slideshow could seem as though it is 30 minutes long to many audiences.

   Many people do not always enjoy viewing one another’s photos for long periods of time. So, the more creative the show, the longer it can play and your audience will not even realize how much time has passed.






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2. Choose Video Slideshow Theme – Deciding on the theme of you video slideshow will aid your decision on the images to use in it. The theme you choose will help determine how your photos are to be organised. Some questions to consider are:
   1. Time Period – What will be the time period that the video slideshow covers?
      • Event or Season – Will it be a specific holiday event or holiday season video slideshow?
      • Year – Will it cover a whole year such as in a Christmas video slideshow which highlights the memorable activities and events of the year?
      • Lifetime – Will it span a longer time period such as the whole life of a specific person or group?
   2. Display Sequence – Will you be featuring content about more than a single person in the video slideshow? If that is the case, will you be displaying content about each person sequentially one after the other; or in unison at the same time?
   3. Subject Matter – What will be the focus of the video slideshow content? Will it be either an:
      • Activity or Interest – Will the video slideshow be about a single interest or activity such as a hobby or a sport undertaken by an individual or group of people.
      • Celebration Event – Will the video slideshow focus on a celebratory aspect related to the life of a person or persons, such as Fathers Day, Mothers Day or Valentines Day?




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3. Video Slideshow Organization – This is the most important and challenging step in video slideshow production and involves the selection and ordering of your photos and video clips. The overall organization will already have been decided by the theme you have chosen.

   A video slideshow is a sequential display of material. Therefore your video slideshow can be either a chronological sequence; a sequence based on the theme you have chosen; or even chronologically within the theme you chose.

   Now you need to select and order the specific material to be used in the video slideshow. When selecting your material, consider the following:

   

   • Audience Participation – If you can include your audience within the video slideshow in some way, either directly or indirectly, then you will be able to maintain their attention to a greater degree and/or for longer.
     • Direct Participation – If you are able to, include images of people from your audience within the video slideshow presentation. Most people like to watch images or information about themselves displayed on a large screen! People will be made to feel as though they are participating in your special occasion. A simple example is to include images of your mother if you are creating a video slideshow for her on Mothers Day.
     • Indirect Participation – Include images about people or topics that the audience can relate to and so they can feel that they have a connection with the video slideshow.

     With either direct or indirect participation, your audience interest will be maintained at a peak as they will be looking to see who the next person is or what content will show up in the video slideshow.

   • Material Quality – On the technical side your material selection can be aided by only choosing quality material. Whether your material is digital images and video clips or physical photographs, factors to consider when choosing material include:
     • Clarity – Is the photo, image or video clip clear? If a photo, image or video clip is either blurry or hazy then this aspect will be magnified if they are enlarged.
     • Lighting – What is the lighting like on the photo, image or video clip? If the material is too dark or even washed out then it will not display well.
     • Digital Resolution – Is the digital image or video clip resolution too low? If so then images will become grainy when enlarged. Starting with higher resolution digital material is better for your video slideshows.
     • Photo Grain – Is the physical photo too grainy? If you are scanning photos, grainy photos do not scan well and the grainy aspect will be magnified when enlarged.
     • Photo Shape – Has the physical photograph been cut into an odd shape? Photographs cut into odd shapes do not work very well in video slideshows.

     If you have the skills then you may be able to correct some of your photos. In general though, the better quality you start with, the better the finished video slideshow.

   • Video Clip Length – Although the addition of video clips into a video slideshow can add an extra dimension of interest, they should be kept short. In general, video clips upto 10 seconds work great.
   • Objective Advice – When selecting your own photos, and especially when they are related to someone close to you, you may be too emotionally attached. You may find yourself in the situation that you feel too many of your photos and video clips are unique and wonderful. You may feel that all your material is special and deserves to be included in your video slideshow. However, most people will understand what you want to portray regarding a specific aspect after displaying around 3 to 5 within a specific time frame. You may find yourself going through your material several times in order to eliminate items that are not necessary and identifying those that are essential. If you cannot reduce your material sufficiently for the length of the video slideshow chosen then it is a good idea to get help from a friend who is able to be more detached and objective.





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4. Create Video Slideshow Captions – Using captions can add extra appeal to a video slideshow. A caption can be used to add humour, emotion, description or an explanation to a specific image or sequence of images. If the video slideshow is self explanatory then captions may not be needed at all. Be aware that you should use captions with care:
   • Limited Number Of Captions – Captions should only be included where they add value to the video slideshow or where a description or explanation is required. A caption is not needed for all images. If a picture speaks for itself then a caption is not necessary. Be aware that using too many captions may detract from the enjoyment of the video slideshow.
   • Short Caption Length – The length of a caption should be kept as short as possible. A short snappy statement can have a far bigger effect than a long sentence. If people have to read too much information then they may not be able to read it quickly enough or even get bored with reading. A short funny statement or descriptive title can be far more effective than a lengthy description.




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5. Select Video Slideshow Soundtrack – A soundtrack added to your video slideshows has the ability to increase engagement with the audience and also stir the emotions. Matching the number of items in a video slideshow to the length of a soundtrack can be tricky and require several attempts to get right. A soundtrack could be either: a musical track, a voiceover or a combination of both:
   • Music – The choice a music track can make or break a video slideshow. Your choice of music track should be made based on the feeling you want audience to experience. Do you want the audience to feel nostalgic, happy, humour, sentimental, or even sad, etc. If you are creating your video slideshow for a specific person or group of people then try to choose a music track that means something to them.

     If the music track(s) you select do not match the number of items chosen for your video slideshow then if the:

     • Music Track Is Too Short – You will have to either reduce the number of items you use in your video slideshow, repeat the music track, accept no music playing near the end of the video Slideshow, or use an additional music track.
     • Music Track Is Too Long – You will have to either increase the number of items used in the video slideshow, accept the music track finishing early, or select an alternative music track to match the number of items in the video slideshow.
   • Voiceover – Using a voiceover can add a touch of sentiment to your video slideshow. How you achieve this in practice will depend on the actual tool or service you use to create your video slideshow. In simple terms, you can use a video camera or a digital camera which has the ability to take video to record your voiceover. The difficulty here is how to synchronise your voiceover to match the images of the video slideshow:
     • Integrated Voiceover Facility – Some video slideshow creation tools make it easy to create a voiceover by allowing you to record a voiceover as it plays the video slideshow.
     • External Voiceover Creation – Other video slideshow creation tools only allow you to upload a sound track. In this case you would have to generate the video slideshow then play it whilst recording a new voiceover soundtrack with an additional sound recording tool. You could then replace the original soundtrack with the new soundtrack. Note however, a voiceover is not essential to many types of video slideshow and a music track combined with text captions is often sufficient to convey the emotions intended by the video slideshow.





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6. Produce Video Slideshow – Once you have planned your video slideshow it is time to get it produced. You can do this by using a company that specializes in creating video slideshows or you could produce it yourself using one of the many tools available in the marketplace.

   Whether using a production company or a do it yourself tool, you should take a look at samples that can be produced by each company or tool. Decide on which style of video slideshow you want produced to narrow the field of choices then refine your choice based on factors such as cost, convenience, etc. Also consider the final format of the video slideshow to be produced. Do you want: a video file you can run on your computer and what file format do you want; a physical DVD you can play in DVD players; or both.

   • Use A Video Slideshow Production Company – When selecting a company, find out what format of material they want you to provide. Do they require a digital format and is it online or a postal service. If it is a postal service, do they deal with physical photos, CDs, DVDs, negatives, film, videos, etc. Bear in mind you will have to send physical material through the post and that it will have to be packed with great care. Make sure you have backup copies of all your materials before you send them to the company. Also ensure that they have a video slideshow preview facility where you can view the video slideshow they have produced before approving it.
   • Do It Yourself With A Video Slideshow Tool – There are a wide range of tools available for you to produce your own video slideshow. Some come in the form of a computer program you install on your computer and pay a one off purchase price to create as many video slideshows as you like. Others may be in the form of an online tool you use either: for a one off video slideshow production; as a monthly service; or on an annual basis; depending on how often you think you will want to use the tool to produce video slideshows.

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Video Slideshow Production With Animoto

If you want to get started with video slideshow production quickly and easily, right now, then a great way to produce fabulous video slideshows would be to use my favourite video slideshow production tool called Animoto.

Animoto helps you produce fantastic looking video slideshows with a simple and easy to use production process.

With Animoto you can be making your own stunning video slideshows in minutes.

Make a video slideshow for family, friends or someone you love.

Just imagine how much they will appreciate a personal video slideshow created just for them.

They will be able to cherish it forever!

Is there a special occasion coming up where you can give the gift of a video slideshow?

Is there a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion for which a video slideshow would be a perfect gift?

Or do you have a great or creative idea for a funny video slideshow that you want to share with everyone?

Start now with a video slideshow for your creative idea. Imagine how much enjoyment it will give everyone.

Gather all your old photos and video clips together and start creating your very own video slideshows.

You can make a slideshow with music easily with the simple video slideshow production steps of Animoto.

If you want to find out about how you can create stunning video slideshows for all sorts of situations, occasions and ideas then take a look at my blog post entitled Animoto Free Account DVD and Video Slideshow Maker.

On the other hand, if you are the kind of person that likes to learn whilst actually doing something practical then start using Animoto with a Free Account right now and see for yoursef just how great and esay it is to make video slideshows!

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