Questions to ask before you hire a video montage producer
A video montage is one of the most personal and when done properly, memorable aspects of an event. While shopping around to find the right company to tell your story with sound and images, ask the candidates these important questions:
1. What is your video editing experience?
If you are interested in a high quality montage, built from scratch and not from a template, be sure that their experienced editors. Editors with real video production experience will not only create a montage that is visually and audibly interesting, but will help you use your collection of photos and video clips to tell a story. Their focus should be on you and what you want. 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 creatively and attention to detail 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. Or, for a sentimental feel you'd use slower music and allow images to linger on the screen a few seconds longer. Find out if the people you hire to produce your montage can adapt their style to your story.
2. Do clients get to give feedback?
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 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. If they are not willing to offer a money-back guarantee...discard them as a possibility...you do not want to work with their company.
3. 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) on your photos, they will appear dull and lifeless on screen. Subtle movement of otherwise still images helps keep the audience engaged.
- Transitions. Almost every video production company that creates slideshows now includes digital transitions between each photo. 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. Be sure to ask what type of text styles they use and what your choices are.
- DVD menus, 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 program. 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.
4. Does this company "get me"?
This is something you have to ask yourself, and it's a very important aspect in the decision making process. 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.
5.How long does It take to get my final video?
A video montage company is a "Post Production" company and although editing photos and video footage is time consuming this process is not worth more than three weeks. Any time length beyond this is absurd. Be cretin to ask as you do not want to be waiting two months on your video.
6. Do you reserve the right to use the video in the future for promotions, portfolio, etc.?
The answer to this should always be "NO". The client should Always have a right to privacy and the production company you chose should acknowledge and respect each clients decision. Therefore offering you "the client" the choice and implementing this into your contract.
Tonya Webster
