What is a keepsake video (AKA: Video Montage)?

A Keepsake Video or Montage, known to most, is a "moving picture show" of your dearest photos, music, and artifacts. (Artifacts: memorable drawings, letters, ticket stubs,family videos, etc. that you have collected thought a period of time that holds a sentimental value to yourself or others in witch you share a memory.) These photos and artifacts are what tells your story and brings your memories to life.With a keepsake video you will be able to relive those memories and allow your guests to feel as if they were right there with you. A keepsake video is also a great way to creat a special heirloom that can be enjoyed by generations to come. Weather creating a keepsake for a retirement or welcoming a newborn child this is a great way to capture those special moments and share your story.

M.M.K.D's Themes

-Anniversary
-Birthday
-Mothers Day
-Fathers Day
-Graduation
-Retirement
-Engagements

-Rehearsal Dinner
-Weddings/Receptions
-Baby's First year
-Baby Shower
-In Memory of ...

-Prom
-Bridal Showers






Get Creative with your keepsake

What do you do with all your holiday and vacation pictures??
Do you stash them in a shoebox at the top of your closet, or store them in an album unlabeled? Well, MMKD/MMT is the perfect place to take your photos. Put your memories into a DVD that you can watch time and time again. Save in storage and prevent those photos from being lost or faded. Here is a list of other suggested "Themes" for a great keepsake DVD.

-New Year's
-Valentine's Day
-St. Patricks Day
-Easter
-4th of July
-Christmas
-Halloween
-Summer Splash-vacation
-Winter Bliss-vacation
-Spring Break Madness
-Time Warp(New Theme)
-Grandparents Day(New Theme)
-Going away Parties
-Video Scrapbook
The possibilities are endless!!
All keepsake package are custom packages and include the following:

- DVD Case with insert and DVD label to match

- Personalized menu screen at the beginning of your video

-Special effects

-Custom Credits at the end of your video

Add A Video

A home video is a great way to get creative with your keepsake and aids in the personal creativity. Here are some ideas of what type of video you might like to add to your keepsake.

-Welcome to the world/bringing baby home
-Babys First Steps
-family vacations
-Childs school plays
-Band or Chorus Concerts
-Birthday party's
-A Day at the park
-Your Travels
-Wedding
These are just a few ideas and you are encuraged to make suggestions and impliment your own into your keepsake!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Questions to ask before you hire a video montage producer

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

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Problem=Solution

I was on the forums this morning reading responses to a post I had made about family and friend support when starting a business. I gave an example of a specific issue I'd had and possible solutions. The responses were grate and very helpful as to what I should do to solve my issue...Thanks WW Vendors!!! One of the statements were "You need to figure out what makes your montages different than everyone else's, and then market that to photographers. Many photographers these days are looking to outsource some of what they do. Your goal should be to provide a service they want at a price point that makes sense. I'm not going to sugar coat it however. With companies like Animoto out there, coupled with the fact that slideshows aren't as popular as they were a couple of years ago....it probably won't be easy. Good luck!" And this got me thinking...I understand that 1.A business is never easy! 2. Why aren't video montages as popular as they used to be? 3. How can I show people that they should be popular and something to invest their money in?4.How do I go about outsourcing and will this idea benefit my business in the long run?5. Companies like Animoto are great but where is the personalization? And this is what I've come up with. I do not stress over how hard a business can be to start, run, and succeed because I love a challenge and am passionate about my work. Video montages aren't as popular as they once were because I think people don't think they need to pay a company to do what they think they can do on their own computer at home. Now days the newer computers come with programs such as movie maker and have many more Free down-loadable programs and templates from the internet. The problems here are to many but for starters there is viruses, it's time consuming, and you get cookie-cutter videos. Sure the videos look a bit different because the photos and music are different but that's about it. And if you get a virus from downloading programs from the internet your SOL. How much time does the average...lets say bride have to invest into creating custom backgrounds and applying all her photos to them, searching and buying the music, cutting the music,editing a home video, adding fades, transitions and special effect to her video. All this on top of all the other wedding arrangements and a 40 hour work week. My theory is that they don't. They need someone to help. This theory is not geared just at brides but for anyone in any occasion. As we head into 2010 we also must by now realize how digitally advanced our world has become and the ever growing advances that keep us moving forward. It wont be long before our hard copy photos are no more. This is something to consider. We take photographs specifically so we can hold on to pieces of our past, our ancestry, our amazing moments in life and we all have keepsake boxes and photo albums full of them. But...they're going to fade over time to possibly the point you can no longer recognize the image anymore. I'm not trying to sell you, this really is an inevitable fact. So I say... why not invest your money into a company that can help you save your memories? As for Animoto, picasa,flicker, and other similar companies alike,well there great to just plug in your photos and videos and music to make a quick video. But, where in the world is the personal contact? Where is the one-on-one, face-to-face interaction that lets you know that the "person" holding your cherished memories in their hand is just as invested in them as you. To me these companies are created for one purpose, to make money... not magic. And personally I'm offended.Don't get me wrong, I have in the past used these companies but it's no where close to the personlization and creativity a Post Production Artist can create.Finally, to get a photographer for outsourcing or not. This is defiantly something I'm willing to consider. We'll just have to do some research. I can see this suggestion being a good solution to an existing issue I have.
XOXOXO
Tonya

Friday, October 23, 2009

Thought this was Funny...

So on average...once a month I check out my online competitors, to keep pace with whats going on in the montage world. I found myself reviewing this one particular site...loved the layout design...but when I got to what I feel is one of my potential clients concerns, the cost, I couldn't believe what I saw! They were charging $50.00an hour plus $1.00per mile travel costs for their personal consultations. Are you kidding me!!! This is just my opinion but... If your going to offer face-to-face consultations and are concerned with the cost of traveling you should NOT offer it. Of course I'm willing to meet my clients locally or at my home, from which I do work from, but I am not going to travel and expect my clients to pay for it or the consultation time that should be given anyway...for FREE. They are already paying for your work and the time it takes to do it(i.e. your package price). I think some larger company's loose sight of the main idea behind the reason montage creators do what we do...the joy we give and the memories that we create as well as preserve in the end; money is the result not the reason.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

The Holidays Are Coming! Place your order Now!!

The Holidays are the best time of year and the largest gift giving time of the year. So...Don't spend hours apon hours in the mall or serfing the internet for "good Deals". You already posses the perfict gift! It's in your "pics" and "video" folder on your hard drive, your didgital camera, your photo albums, even in the storage cabnent labled "kids art and drawings". Take all your pics, home videos, awards, deplomas, and keepsake items and put them into a video montage you can gift to your family and frriends. There is NO other gift that says "I Love You" or "Thank You" as a personalized video of years past memories with your friends and family!!!!!
Go to www.musicalmemoriestoday.com or call Tonya @ 859-360-3296 to place your order!!!!
You can message me with your questions here on Blogger or at webmaster@musicalmemoriestoday.com
THANK YOU!!!!
Musical Memories Today

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Free Web Linking with MMT/MMKD


Hey All you Fabulous business owners!!!
Are you looking for a FREE place to advertise your business? Great...So are we! Let's Link together!!
We are looking to gain more traffic on our website thus increasing our sales. We are hoping as well to connect with our online community to gain a solid reputation and build strong relationships in our community. This is why we are putting this offer on the table.
It's easy and worth every minute to contact us. Here are the list of requirements both you and MMT are required to follow. This will be an agreement between both companys.
1.Must have a valid company and website URL
2.Be a small business owner
3. Must put musicalmemoriestoday.com link on your site within 24 hours of link approval.(Sent via email)
4. If and when either site chooses to end their agreement notifacation must be sent within 48 hours of desired date of termination
All business owners interested in this link exchange Must agree to our terms and any websites that has nudity or adult content will NOT be accepted under any circumstances. All websites will be researched before requests are honored.
We Thank You and Have A Great Day!
Tonya Webster at
(email)webmaster@musicalmemoriestoday.com
(website) www.musicalmemoriestoday.com

Subject:Link With Me

Die Hard Sports Fans

WOOOW!!! It's Football season!!!! YEAAAA!!!!
Are you a huge Football/Sports fan or know a loved one who is???? AWSOME!!!
OR...maby you have a lil one who plays!!
Would like to have a video montage of their games,practices, or party(ies).
FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bring your photos/video clips, and scannable memorbilia(Awards, etc.)to us and we'll make you the most AWSOME keepsake video.
Email or call Today so we can get started!!!!!!
webmaster@musicalmemoriestoday.com
AOL Users: musicalmmrs09@aol.com
Family and Friends get 15% Off ALL Orders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cool Halloween Sites


Halloween just happens to be my #1 favorate holiday in the world. So...I just thought I'd post some groovey sites for everyone to check out. Check out these scary links and see for yourself! There are various amusing and savory ideas listed below. Enjoy yourself as you search through these links. Maybe you’ll be inspired for your halloween celebration!!

Halloween Magazine offers terrifying tips to make this Halloween lots of fun. You will find interesting ideas for some yummy uses for jack-o-lantern leftovers. Buy Costumes Looking for a costume? This is your one-stop shop on the Net.
Sinister Fonts is a great place to go to download hard to find creative fonts like "Ghastly Panic" and "Gypsy Curse."
HorrorMovies.Ca is a great resource for your Halloween movie night.
Recipes
Hershey's Trick or Treats offers recipes for a wide array of cakes, breads, cookies, brownies, candies and other yummy treats. These tasty Halloween party foods are sure to be a scream!
Wanda's Halloween Cookbook has many tasty treats for your Halloween party or event.
Halloween Fabulous Foods like a Spider Web Dip Platter and a Hairball Salad with Saliva Dressing, among other creepy cuisines can be found at this site.
Vampire Vineyards has the perfect “Red” for your scrumptious Halloween party foods.

Celebrate Wine various wines for your Halloween party!
Ben & Jerry's brings you Halloween crafts, desktop designs and wallpapers, a flavor graveyard, creepy clip art, and terrific online games.
Knott's Scary Farm brought to you by Knott's Berry Farm promotes a full line of fun and spooky things to do with your family this Halloween season.
Friday Zone offers fun family Halloween game ideas as well as snacks and trick-or-treat safety. There are great Halloween party ideas for teenagers, games and safety tips for children.
Amazing Moms can think of some pretty amazing things to do with the kids for Halloween.
Blue Mountain Arts features greeting cards and greeting card games for your enjoyment.
Jack O' Lantern Greeting Cards is definitely for the pumpkin lovers.
Greetings Unlimited features very cute Halloween cards for your loved ones.
Halloween Greeting Cards features some of the best interactive spooky greeting cards as well as props, spooky customs, and more.
Spooky Sites
"Anomalies" is a database of all things paranormal - ghosts, UFOs, and other strange happenings.
Bats Leather-winged creatures of the night unite!
Poe Museum leads you through the Edgar Allen Poe Museum in Richmond, VA and provides a selection of Poe's works and a timeline of his life.
Spooky Sites is a database of the best in spooky literature, movies, poetry, music, etc.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Changed It Up a Bit

I've decided to give my demos their own page here on blogger. The link is located to the right of my blog page and you are encouraged to venture over and check out my work. Will be adding new demos soon!!!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Musical Memories Official Website

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!!
The name has changed but the quality and personality is the same!!!
As of 5pm July 15,2009 the official website is up and running. Now you can place your order and make a payment from our site.
Explore the site and place an order, call a friend or family member
and spread the word.
We are ready to bring your memories to life!!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Happy 4th Of July!!!!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009


I woke up yesterday morning and as I stumbled to the frig to make me a cup of tea . Still half asleep I found this note my hubby left for me. What a wounderful thing for him to do, It put a smile on my face so I wanted to share it with you!
Posted by Picasa

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Vendor Fair

Yesterday was a great day! I went to a vendor fair to promote my company and meet some new clients. I met some nice people who seemed to be very interested in MMKD and possibly wanted to combine services or at the least suggest my company to others, what a great group of people! As for gaining new clientele, well ,we shall soon see. This was my first time going to such an event and it was a great learning experience for me. I can't wait to see what the future holds, there were SO many great complements on my work and I gained lots of inspiration on such future events.
Anyone who contacts me from the Vendor Fair gets
10% Off their order!!!!!

Monday, May 25, 2009


Add A collage to your keepsake DVD. This is a great way to start your video. As the individual pictures follow the collage you get a full view of each. You can also use the collage in the middle of your video as a segway into a new section of pictures.
The possibilities of creativeness are endless with your photos.
Posted by Picasa

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Happy Memorial Day


Have a safe and fun mamorial holiday Everyone!!!!


MMKD

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Coming soon!!!

Official MMKD web site coming soon. Keep your eye out for Date Posting. The Official site will be linked to my blogger account and All your ordering needs can be submitted from there.

Friday, May 8, 2009

THANK YOU!!!

Today I got my first follower who is not of family relation! YEA!!!!!!
Thank You Misadventurous Mommy for joining MMKD Blog!!!!!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Tiz The Season

Tizz the season for warm weather, open toed heals, and dresses
Wedding Dresses!!
Tizz the season for Weddings and MMKD only has ONE question for all you love birds,
What do you plan on doing with all your wedding pictures??
I have the perfect idea!!
Bring them all to me!! I want to make your wedding video for you!!!
Contact me before you waste unnecessary amounts of money on other company's! I promise they'll only charge you an arm and a leg,but I wont!!!
I'm always looking for a new way to connect to people. Today I've added a play list of some of my favorite music. Ill continue to add more and change it up every now and then. For now these are a few artists I'm listening to.

Fathers Day!!


Fathers day is approaching and I have the best gift for those "proud papa's". Send me all those precious pics, art drawings, and school awards and lets give Dad the keepsake gift that's sure to warm his heart and put a tear in his eye.
HURRY NOT MUCH TIME!!!!!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

NEW THEME!!!!!!!

Today I added a new theme 'Time Warp"!!!!
Time Warp is A fun and belly shakin' way to celebrate at a party! By grouping together all your old photos and adding old school beats to represent each transition in your life. If you were born in the 60's I'd use music that was popular from the 60's thru 2009.Time Warp is a great gift and party theme to cellebrate that dreaded "Over The Hill" birthday or special event in your life!!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Mothers Day is approaching quickly and I have the perfect keepsake for your "Special Mom".
MMKD is having a Mothers Day Sale
10% Off on All Orders
April 22-May 5 2009
Sale does Not include extra CD purchase and All Sales are finnal.

Sunday, April 12, 2009


HAPPY EASTER!!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

All orders are Free today!

April Fools!!!!!!

Happy April fools Day!!

Friday, March 20, 2009

The First Day Of Spring


WELCOME SPRING!!
By Shannon Gemmer

Listen, children, listen, wont you come into the night
The stars have set there candle gleam, the moon her lantern light
I'm pipping light tunes for you to catch your dancing feet
There's glory in the heavens, but there's magic in the streets
There's jesting her carnival cost of balloon Is an ancient rhythm said back words, and a wish upon the moon
The city walls and city streets You shall make of these As fair a thing as country roads and blossoming apple trees
What watchmen calls us in the night, and plays a little tune
That turns our lounges to talking of April, May, and June
Who bids as come with nimble feet and snapping finger tips?I am the SPRING, the spring, the spring with laughter on my lips

Tuesday, March 17, 2009


DO YOU GOT YOUR GREEN ON???



F.A.Q.

1.How long do the pictures appear on the DVD?
Typically they remain on the screen for 5-12seconds each pic. Although, depending on the transition, graphics, and music that you select can alter the run time on the pic it’s self.
2. How long are the slide shows?
The amount of pictures, transition, graphics, and music that you select determines the run time. Your slide show can be 10min.-120min.
3.How long does it take to create my DVD?
It all depends on what you want on your slide show. The larger it is,scanning,red eye reducer, ect. the longer it takes. Typically I ask for three weeks to complete and ship.
4.Will you do a rush order?
Yes, I can do a rush order. There is a $35.00 charge and the rush will allow you to receive your DVD in 7 days or 14 days for $25.00.
5.Why do you charge for the rush order?
Charges to rush an order are applied to shipping cost and is a flat rate to all clients who reside/ship in the US.
6.How do I select music for my DVD slide show?
You can select from my suggested music or pick your own. You must burn music to a CD and send it to me or I can purchase the music on your behalf at a cost to you of $1.00 each song. You will receive a copy of the purchased music with your keepsake.
7. Why do I have to purchase or burn my own music?
This allows MMKD/MMT to be relieved of any and all copyright issues that pertain to use of an artist lyrics/music.
8.How do you ship my order and do I have to pay extra for shipping?
I will ship your order USPS, if insurance is wanted that will be an extra charge. Your shipping charge is included in the total package price. All rush orders are sent via 1 day shipping and extra charges do apply.Please refer to #4&5
9.How do I send my pictures?
Sending your pictures is easy. There is http://www.picasa.com/ by google.com. It is a FREE web site and No down load is required. All you do is open an account in your name, upload your pics. Then email me the log in address (ie .tonyaweb/ftcvy123)with the password. Aside from your self I will be the ONLY person who can access the account. Please be sure that ALL your pictures are in the order you’d like them to appear in the slide show. You can also mail them to me(at your cost) to the address provided or email them to me at Musicalmmrs09.com in a zip file. If you live in the area you may also drop them off.
10.Do you make personal deliveries?
No, Although I’d like to offer personal delivery it’s just not possible.
11. How am I involved in the process of producing my keepsake?
Your keepsake is All about YOU! I want this to be an enjoyable, stress free experience for you. I also want to make sure that your visions are brought to life and exactly how you remember these specific events in your life. You get the memories(photos, art clippings, video, music, ect.) and tell me how you want the DVD to be presented.You may contact me as often as needed during production.
12. How long do you keep copies of my keepsake DVD?
I will keep your copy for 90 days. You may call or email me a request for as many extra copies you'd like before the 90 days expire. Expire date is 90 days from shipping date.
13. How do you get my photos onto your program to create my keepsake if their not in digital form?
MMKD/MMT can digitally scan all photos from wallet size to an 8x10 .
14. Do you charge to scan my photos?
Yes, MMKD/MMT charges a flat rate of $10.00 to scan your photo's.