2007 Holiday Card is Done

[Maxine370]

I tried something new this year and created a video holiday card. I'll be cutting this onto mini DVDs and sending out as my holiday card (New Years, by the time I'm done and they're mailed). I wanted to share it with my forum friends as well. Be patient as it takes a little while to load.

http://muvipix.com/cpg/albums/userpics/10006/card.wmv

[Rockdoc]

Beth, it's fantastic!!! Nice, tight editing. Transitions gave it style without interfering with the content. Not that I expected anything less coming from you.

Oh, and your boys are beautiful!

Thanks for the inspiration.

[Cinde]

Beth, What a fantastic video story!!!! I've watched it 3 times and still have happy tears in my eyes.

I admire your talent. The music is perfect and those video shots are perfect. The only thing missing is footage of YOU. I can imagine that you did most of the videoing. Is there anything video that you can't do?

Thank you SOOOO very much for sharing.

[Jayell]

That was great, Beth! I've wanted to do something similar the past couple years, but keep not getting to it. Besides the great shots of the kids, lots of good effects, nicely paced. Thanks for sharing!

[Bob]

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.

[hpharley90]

Very well done Beth.

I like seeing your work.

Now if only I could be half as creative as you I would be very happy.

[Kerrie]

Wow Beth, that was fantastic! Beautiful children!

I know I will be "borrowing" a few of those awesome effects. Thanks for sharing! Kerrie

[Steve Grisetti]

Beth, this is delightful! Thanks so much for sharing it!

So many clever special effects -- yet none of them overpowered your wonderful images.

It really is terrific! Great job!

[Maxine370]

Thank you all for the compliments on the video and on my family. I'd say the hardest part was reviewing all the footage and getting it down to the shots to use to fit the music and then trimming them even more since they ran longer than the song. (I cheated a bit and extended the song twice).

The funny thing was thatgoing through all the footage from the past year I realized there is soooooo much that is not on tape. I wish I could have the video running all the time so I can capture and save all the memories.


@Cinde - I did some of the shooting but my husband really does most. Still I find we take more of the kids than of each other. He likes to take shots of me when I'm not looking my best so it's nice to be the editor of the family. However, there really were no shots of me that fit into this video.

I do have a technical question for the experts here. I just realized that one of my transitions got funky (the one with the newspaper) and part of it cut off both on the paper and in the revealing shot. This is something I see sometimes when I make wmvs. Is there a reason, and a way to avoid it. What I sometimes do is make an avi then make the avi a wmv but is there a one step way?

(When I get a chance I will replace the sample with a corrected version).

Thanks again all.

[Wheat King]

Brilliant Beth!!!! Especially the calendar Idea... So cool!

[Larry L2]

Fantasic Beth!

Now that we have hi-speed internet, I can enjoy efforts of this calibre. Looking forward to more.

[Rockdoc]

Beth,
I have that problem sometimes with wmv's as well, particularly when, like you newspaper shot, there is more than one layer of video. I have not found a solution except to save that clip as an avi, then replace the original with the avi. It works, but can be annoying to keep doing in a project.

Jennifer

[momoffduty]

Wonderful Beth! Thanks so much for sharing. Love the music choice too. Your boys are adorable. Hope you will leave the video posted for awhile so I can make some notes after the New Year. Thanks again for sharing!

[ridon127]

Beth
You do such amazing work. When I grow up I want to be as talented as you. When are going to teach us your secrets??? The kids are precious. I need to do more video than I have in the past. This will make a great card for family next year. Can't wait to see more.
Donna

[Don Whitten]

Beth that was a great job. I can tell you put some time in on that one. Everyone is going to love it when you send it out.
Keep up the great work!!!