1. Choose Your Video Theme - Once you have chosen the event/occasion for your video, you will need to choose an appropriate theme for the occasion. Light-hearted? Thought-provoking? Sentimental? Romantic? Funny? Short & sweet? A lengthy trip down memory lane? A mixture of these? Knowing the mood you are trying to create will help you choose the length of your video and which photos to include.
2. Choose Your Photos (and video clips if applicable)- Make sure you select quality photographs. Send only original loose prints or CDs with digital pictures on them (photos that have been scanned or printed from a pc lose quality upon additional scanning). This is not to exclude older black & white photographs. We have found that by including these into a slideshow, it adds an antique quality that makes memory videos all the more touching. However, if actual restoration is needed for a photo, please have that done prior to submitting the picture as this is not a service we currently provide.
Make sure to include a wide variety of pictures with different settings, poses, family members, friends, stages of life, etc. that are relevant to the occasion.
If adding video clips to your presentation, choose them carefully to fit in with the flow of memories. Usually adding them throughout (or in the middle if only using one) works better than only at the beginning or end of a presentation.
3. Choose Your Music - Now that you have a better idea of what your video is going to look like and how long it will be, you can choose the song(s) that best fit the emotion and time frame of your video.
4. Contact Us - If at any time during your selection process you have any questions or concerns, please contact us. We will be glad to help!
5. Complete the Order Form and Email It - We will contact you if we have any questions or project information to discuss. Otherwise, you will get a confirmation email letting you know it is okay to ship your items.
6. Prepare Your Items For Shipment - Label and number all photos and video clips (starting with #1 & going upwards).
For loose photos: label each loose photo one of two ways: a) place sticky notes on the back of them with the number they are to appear, b) write the number they are to appear in pencil on the back - if using pencil, be careful not to press too hard to avoid damage to the photos. Once labeled, place them securely into a plastic baggie to help keep them in order.
For digital photos and video clips: simply change the file name of each picture/clip to be the number it is to appear (i.e. "6.jpg").
7. Ship Your Items - We are not responsible for any damage that may occur to your items once they are in the hands of the shipping service. So, please make sure your items are sealed in plastic and packaged well before shipping. It is also important to use a shipping service that will track and insure your items.
Please include a copy of your order form as well as the signed release form with your shipment!
Please email us once you have shipped your items, so we will be watching for them.
8. Payment - Once we receive all your items, we will contact you. If we don't have any questions or clarifications to make, you will receive an email invoice. Payment must be made in full before your video can be made.
Payment Options:
a) Credit Card or PayPal account Smitheffect Productions uses the secure PayPal website for processing all payments. We do not have access to your credit card numbers or information. Please Note: You do not need to have a PayPal account in order to pay using your credit card. By using the PayPal website to process payments, we are insuring your financial protection. b) Check or Money Order Payable To: Smitheffect Productions Your project will begin once your check has cleared.
*Please Note: If you have requested Rush Processing, you must pay via PayPal or Credit Card to avoid delays.
9. Production! - This takes approximately 2-3 weeks (allow 4 weeks if paying by check). Standard shipping is FREE. However, if you are needing your project completed sooner and require Rush Processing, please contact us prior to shipping your items. If we are able to meet your deadline, there will be a $50 Rush Processing Fee.
10. Project Shipped To You! - Your completed video and all your original items will be shipped back to you. You will receive an email complete with tracking information when it is on it's way home!