Family Histories by DreamStar

Definitely Our Specialty!!!

Click here to see a sample of a family history

A Great Gift!  For Anniversaries, Birthdays, Weddings, Reunions, Love Stories, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Memorials or just for a family keepsake.

This is a great new age we live in  where you can now put your life on DVD for future generations to see.  Didn't you ever wish you knew more about  your ancestors?  Well now you can immortalize you and your family for your great, great, great grandchildren!  

With a DreamStar Family History, we will add photos with motion, music, professional titles, animated backgrounds (watch this clip for an example) and if you like, video interviews, 8 mm film and slides (See pricing below).  If the room is not flowing with tears of joy, when you show the finished story,  we have not done our job!  This is definitely not your grandmother's slideshow, but an EVENT!!

The Ultimate Love Story For weddings, Valentines Day, Birthdays, or just to say "I Love You", Love stories are just the right gift.  Click here to see a sample of the "Ultimate Love Story".

Pricing    All prices include music, professional titles, animated backdrops and fades, picture movement, professional printing on your DVD's and DVD case, as well as chapter markers on the DVD (menu is optional). 

Let's face it, every job and every client's needs are different.  Let's meet and discuss your personal needs:

- 80 digital pictures or less -  $400 

- 81 to 120 digital pictures - $525                                

- 121 to 160 digital pictures - $650

- 161 to 200 digital pictures - $750

- 201 to 240 digital pictures or less - $850

-Scanning Your Pictures - .75 cents each

-Converting your Slides - $1.00 ea

-8 mm (or super 8) unconverted film  -  $20.00 to convert a 50 foot reel

-Add your video footage from DVD, VHS,  mini DV, Hi8 or Converted 8mm film -  $10 per minute (Includes editing*).                                      

*Excessive video editing will be negotiated.

-Video shoots - $100.00 per hour (plus travel outside of the DC area)

-Music is free if you provide it on CD, or if we have it in our library.  $3.00 extra per song title if we have to download.

-DVD Menu - $50.00 (Chapter markers are free)

-First DVD conversion (one time fee) - $25.00

-Extra DVD's - $5.95

-Web Streaming - We will convert your file so you can put it on the web - $25

Here's what people are saying about Family histories by DreamStar...

"The festivities are over, but the memories linger on.  The DVD that you organized and synchronized so beautifully was a delightful reminder of how very rich my life has been, and continues to be.  Every life has a story and I am sure that your work is very satisfying, as you capture the best, and we will always have this memory of what it was all about from the beginning.  I was fascinated at the expert way you put all that hodge-podge together along with all the best music.  I loved it, and have watched it several times.  Thank you so very much for your patience and diligence in creating such a beautiful reminder for me and for all my family.  Sincerely, Doris Criswell of Criswell Chevrolet  

"Grandma's video was so incredibly beautiful, you captured her spirit so wonderfully!!!!  I must have watched it 50 times already, and you are right, it brought tears to almost everyone's eyes yesterday.... The actual video (footage) of her at the end to Memories is exactly what I had wanted, you truly have a special ability to make people come alive during their video.  Thanks to you Grandma will always stay alive in our hearts and in our home!!"            
---Sharon Crutchfield

"Renee & I want to thank you for the incredible job you did (with our DVD).  We are thrilled with the outcome & can't wait to show it to them!  We know they are going to Love it!  You went above and beyond what we ever expected!"
--- Julie Friedman

"What an incredible gift Howard and I have received!  The Story of our life which you have played a major part in putting together is awesome.  Each time that we watch the video (with tears in our eyes), we know how truly blessed we are with our family and friends.  Thank you
so much!"         
--- Iris and Howard

"Everything went so well and the video was one of the biggest hits of the night!"    
---Hilary Branson

Samples:

See an example of a 75th birthday
family history video (Part One):


Now see Part two with the finale


Click the Play button to see an example of the "Ultimate Love Story"


Tips on shooting video interviews - So you'd rather shoot your own video interviews for us to insert into your video?  No problem!  Here are some tips on making your interviews as professional as possible.

-Use a well lighted area, (shadows are bad, especially for women who will complain to you later)  Shoot outside if at all possible. 

-If at all possible, stabilize the camera with either a tripod or on a piece of furniture 

-The camera should be at the same level as the eyes of your subject 

-Non professionals have a tendency to frame their subjects with their heads directly in the center of the frame.  Instead make sure their eyes are in the top third of the frame with just a bit of head room at the top of the frame 

-Pick a quiet room away from noise and kids (turn off TV and Radio) 

-Chances are you'll be using the camcorder's internal microphone.  Do a test first to make sure you can clearly hear your subject.  If not, you'll have to move in closer.  If your camcorder has a headphone jack, use it!  What you hear will be what your audience will hear.  (If necessary, we can raise the volume during editing). 

-If your subjects are talking directly to the honoree,  have them look directly into the camera lens (like "congratulations!...") 

-If your subjects are talking about the honoree, have them look to the right or left of the camera lens (this is professional documentary style) 

-A medium shot is best for interviews (from the waist up) but don't be afraid to go closer during emotional times. 

-Keep the subject comfortable and their surroundings colorful (blank white walls are a no-no; Natural outdoor settings are best if it's not too noisy) 

-Don't set them up too close to the wall behind them that shadows are cast. 

-Easy on the zooming (most interviews will have no zooming at all) 

-Always have 2 seconds of silence before they begin speaking for editing purposes.  

-Don't worry too much about the subjects making mistakes.  Have them start their flubbed sentence over again with another 2 seconds of silence. 

-Finally, if you are interviewing someone, don't ask yes or no questions.  And have them repeat the question in their answer.  For example, if you ask them, "What's your favorite color", and they answer "blue", that is not good enough for a documentary or family history.  Have them start with, "My favorite color is..."