I can remember dusting off the VHS tapes and eagerly putting in one of the many labeled “Christmas”. I was filled with excitement to relive the expressions and hear the silly comments as gifts were unwrapped. After a moment of TV fuzz the scene opened, the camera positioned to catch all the details of the room. Ten minuets later I was sound asleep. Making a good holiday home movie requires more than a holiday and a camera. If you want to capture the joy of the holiday on film without putting future generations to sleep, it will take a little planning and creativity.
Technology will allow most computer users to record, edit and archive home videos easily. It is worth the time and money to get a video editing software program and a camera that allows you to load your videos onto your PC. The software programs with the highest reviews on PC Magazine in 2007 are: Adobe Premiere Pro CS, Final Cut Studio 2, Roxio Easy Media Creator 9 Suite
and Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0. These programs range between $80 and $1000 depending on your needs. The flexibility that digital film gives you is key to creating a family video that people will want to watch over and over again.
One hazard of home video is a lot of downtime where not much is happening, editing can help with this and so can the use of the narrator or “newscaster” The narrator can fill the watcher in on important details when there is visual downtime. Instead of just watching Sally unwrap her gift the narrator could comment that Sally is 5 years old and that she wrote Santa a very specific letter that year. Be sure to introduce everyone by name so that viewers who are not familiar with the family or guests can follow the banter and conversation without confusion.
Cut any long segments that slow things down. Video segments such as the family singing carols can be spliced to keep things moving. With different angles and views and then dubbing the audio of your favorite song over the video later to create a finished sequence. Music can be added to move the viewer through segments where there is not much to say. Shots of everyone eating or kids hunting for eggs or gifts being passed around are good candidates for a fun, or sentimental song to replace the clatter of cutlery, indistinguishable conversation or yelling of children.
Use a little creativity, a lot of fun and significant editing to achieve a fabulous family video.
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