Five questions to ask before you hire a video montage producer

Although it's one of the smallest items in a special event budget, the video montage (or photo montage or DVD slideshow, which are just different names for the same thing) is one of the most personal and -- when done properly -- memorable aspects of a family event. While shopping around to find the right company to tell your story with sound and images, ask the candidates these five questions:

1. What software do you use to create montages?
Tools make the man (or woman), so this should be your very first question. Professionals use professional software, including Final Cut by Apple, or Media Composer by Avid. These software packages offer professional video editors the greatest flexibility to customize and personalize each project.

Consumer software, including iPhoto, PowerPoint and the countless slideshow-producing packages for the PC allow almost anyone (with enough time to learn and experiment) to create a simple slideshow and utilize some basic effects. Consumer video editing software, like Apple's iMovie, offers more flexibility but is still meant for the casual user. These software packages do not allow the producer -- or for that matter, the client -- to think outside the box and put their personal stamp on the project.

2. What is your video editing experience?
If you are interested in a high quality montage, built from scratch and not from a template or "theme," be sure that the company employs experienced editors. Editors with real video production experience will not only create a montage that is visually interesting, but will help you use your collection of photos and video clips to tell a story.

No one expects a PowerPoint presentation to tug at the heart strings or to excite an audience, but a carefully assembled and professionally edited video montage should. It takes a knack for storytelling and the ability -- both technically and creatively -- to edit the montage to create a mood. This might mean that sections meant to generate excitement and laughter look and feel more like a fast-paced music video than a slideshow. Or, for sentimental passages with slower music, images should linger on screen longer. Find out if the people you hire to produce your montage can adapt their style to your story.

3. Do clients get to give feedback? Do you give them "final cut" privilege?
One of the most important contract points in Hollywood filmmaking is who in the production -- the director, the producer or the studio -- gets the last word: Final cut. As the client -- the one paying for the video -- you should have the opportunity to review the project during production and give your input and approval before the movie is finished and given to you on DVD.

Ask the people you're thinking about hiring at what stages in production they solicit and accept client feedback. Do they allow or encourage review of the film at more than one stage if the client requests? Remember: It's your film and your money, so be sure you are comfortable with this important aspect of the creative process. If the company charges extra for this, or does not offer it at all, ask for a money-back guarantee in case you are not happy with their work.

4. What is included in your package pricing?
Once you have found a professional to create your montage and you understand the production and evaluation process, make sure you know what you are getting for your money. Montage packages are usually priced based on the number of photos, number of songs, and number of video clips that will be included in the finished product. Find out in advance if any or all of the following are included in the estimate or package you are offered:

- Motion effects. No matter how long or short your video, if your editor does not use motion effects (often called pan and zoom, or the Ken Burns effect) on your photos, they will appear dull and lifeless on screen. Subtle movement of otherwise still images helps keep the audience engaged and attentive.

- Transitions. Almost every video production company that creates slideshows now includes digital transitions between each photo at no additional charge. Dissolves and fades are the most common transitions because they elegantly bridge two images without distracting from either. Some clients prefer bolder, more obvious effects. Ask the editor how they decide which transitions to use where, if they will accept your suggestions on this, and be sure that you understand and agree with their approach.

- Titles, captions and credits. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a few extra words might be important to you. If you want animated title slides, captions, and even customized credits in your movie, find out if they are part of the package price.

When using professional video editing software, it's easy for an editor to add completely customized text as title "slides," and to add text over images identify people, places and dates, or for any other reason. Consumer software -- including iMovie -- limits how creative the editor and the client can be with text and graphics.

- DVD menus. When the montage is shown at a special event, the guests will see only the finished video. But when you take the disc home and pop it into your DVD player, do you want the video to just play automatically, or would you prefer a custom menu (using your own images and video clips), similar to those you see on DVDs of major motion pictures? Ask your prospective producer if there is an additional charge for a customized, animated menu.

- Scanning/digitizing. If you provide snapshots, negatives or other non-digital content, the montage producer will have to scan the artwork to use it in a digital editing system. Try to estimate the number of images (and amount of home movie/video footage) that you plan to use in the montage, so the company you are interviewing can give you an accurate estimate of the cost to digitize your material.

5. Do these folks "get me?"
This is something you have to ask yourself, and it's a highly subjective question. But the video montage, whether you plan to show it at a wedding, some other important family event, or just give it as a gift, is a very personal production. Make sure you are comfortable with the company to which you entrust your photos -- and your history.

by  Big Moment Films

Go back to Articles