Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the difference between Foto-Motion Movies and other still photography Picture CD/DVDs?

Traditional Picture CD/DVDs (sometimes called Photo CDs) include a collection of still photographs that are displayed one after the other, can include transition effects between photographs, and can include background music. 

A Foto-Motion Movie takes the same photographs and brings them to life by giving them motions, actions, captions, sound effects, and voice overs.  On one photograph, you may zoom in or out, travel to the left or right, have focal points of the photo move, have text caption displayed on the photograph, have voice recordings added, include video clips, play special sound effects, or any of these combinations.  View some of the sample movies throughout this site to get a better feel for the differences.

  1. Can a Foto-Motion Movie be made from printed pictures or from digital pictures?

Yes.  That is Foto-Motions specialty - Taking still photographs as either prints, negatives, slides, or digital images and bringing them to life.

  1. What about using the photos from the photographer we hired?

These too can be used as long as you have not agreed to any obligation with the photographer that they have exclusive rights to the photographs you paid them to take.

  1. How do you put still photograph prints, slides, or negatives in to a movie?

These photograph formats are electronically scanned and converted to digital images.  They are them imported in to the tools used to edit them in to a movie.  There is a charge for converting to digital images.

  1. Can video from my video camera be added?

Yes, provided they are in digital format.  If they are not in digital format, they usually can be converted.  There is a charge for converting to digital videos.  Please understand that video clips use a lot of computer disk space, so it is recommended that you select specific short portions of the video rather than including the entire video. 

 

  1. Can I select the music for my movie?

Yes, you can make your own selection(s) for the music.  If you have no music suggestions, we can make appropriate selections based on the occasion and the photos to be in the show.  We will review those selections with you before finalizing the movie.

  1. Is there an extra charge for the music?

There is no charge for adding the music to the original movie if you provide it in digital format. There is an extra charge per sound track (song) if we provide the music or have to convert it to digital format. We will review those selections with you before finalizing the movie.

  1. How long does it take to produce a movie?

Approximately one week from the time we have all of the photos, videos, and music that you want to provide us.  There is time needed to consult with you on the sequence of photographs, the special effects you want in the movie, as well as other components and then edit the photographs to give you the movie you want.  Depending on how little or much “action” you want in your movie will determine how quickly the movie can be produced.

  1. How many copies can I get? 

As many copies as you want.  Small quantities can usually be delivered within the same time frame as the original movie with larger quantities being delivered later. 

  1. How much does each copy cost? 

$9.00 per additional copy.  Because of copyright laws regarding royalties on sound track distribution, there are additional charges per sound track per copy regardless of who provides the music.

 

  1. I have some photos that are torn or discolored.  Can they be used?

Yes.  They can be used as they are and sometimes add esthetics to the movie.  Or we can attempt to do some level of digital restoration.  There is an extra charge for restoration and is dependent upon the amount of restoration required.

  1. Can you colorize Black & White photographs?

Yes.  There is an extra charge for colorization and is dependent upon the amount of detail/complexity to be colorized.

  1. I have some color photographs which I think would like nicer in Black & White.  Can that be done?

Yes.  There is an extra charge for decolorization.  This is a fairly simple process and is not very expensive.

  1. What other information should I prepare for the production of my movie?

Here is a checklist of some of the things to consider for including in your movie:

●What theme (wedding, graduation, sporting event) do you want for your movie?

●Dates or locations.

●Names of the people (stars/cast of the movie).

●How many pictures do you want in your movie

●In what order do you want the pictures and video clips?

●Do you want any TEXT displayed anywhere in the movie?

●Do you want any particular sounds or audio clips (in addition to background music) added to any of the pictures (example: Champaign cork pop)?

●Do you want specific photo altering/editing (example: bridal bouquet flying across picture)?

●Do you want any particular movement on specific photos (example: travel to left or right)?

●Can you identify specific focus points in the photos on which to zoom in or otherwise emphasize?

●How long do you want your movie to run.

  1. How much will it cost to produce my movie?

Each movie has to be priced separately because each one depends on the number of photographs, the number of sound tracks, the amount of photograph enhancements, the number of special effects, etc…  Once the original movie is produced, the cost per copy is minimal to distribute as keepsakes and memories to family and friends.

  1. How do we get started with the production of my movie?

Read through the Frequently Asked Questions above and view the sample movies throughout this site (www.foto-motions.com) so you can begin preparing and planning for your movie.  Answer the questions in the above checklist.  Gather your photographs, video, and music.  Then contact us for a brief consultation and we’ll give you the details to get your movie in to production.

  1. How do I get my photographs and other materials to you?

If you are local to Hunterdon County, NJ, we can meet so you can deliver the materials to us directly.  Or you could ship the materials to us being sure you use a delivery service that will provide you insurance and a tracking number.  Or, if everything you have is already in digital format, you can have them delivered to us electronically through e-mail or other format.