by Fred Klein of Klein Video Services, Chicago

Putting together a great video montage requires some preparation. You should begin working on this several months before the party.

The production studio that will do the final assembly should recieve pictures and music selection 2 months out.

t the following guidelines will help you prepare your materials:

1. Think of a theme : A good theme can guide the rest of your choices in the montage. It can help you think of an appropriate title and the sections you’ll need.
2. Think of the sections you want : Think of ways to divide up the video into sections.
3. Organize your photos : Divide up the photos into these sections. Use only the very best for each section. In video montages, less is definitely more.
4. Organize your video segments : If you want to include video segments, search through your video at home first. When you find the sections you want, cue the tapes up the the exact spot where the clip begins. Remember to keep these short and only use the very best clips. Audio from home video cameras often doesn’t turn out very well. Usually it’s best to run music over these clips.
5. Choose music : Music should complement the theme of each section. Try to find music to fit the mood of each section. It can help to find lyrics that fit the images. Other times the type of music is more important.

Following these steps can save you lots of time. Your video will be much more personal and original. And you’ll find that putting all these creative elements together can be a lot of fun.