How do you take care of my precious photos?

We treat your photos as if they were our own. They are carefully scanned and then stored in a fire and waterproof safe until your project is completed and shipped to you.

What kind of photos do I provide?

Photographic prints up to an 11 X 14 so that includes 8x10, 3x5, 4x6, 5x7 and those cute little school photos we hated when we were kids. Just about any photo you have, that we can fit on our scanner, we can include in a DVD. We will soon be offering slide scanning to CD or DVD for the retro slide-show buffs out there.

When would I show my DVD?

There are many ways to share the movie you make with us, but the top occasions are Birthdays and Anniversaries. Birthdays ending in zero’s or five’s are the most popular, but are not limited to those special numbers! The same with Anniversaries; 25th and 50th are the most requested, but sentiment doesn’t limit itself to a certain number of years together. This makes an amazing gift for the folks in your life who seem to have everything.

Other occasions are Weddings. Parents have made DVD’s to be shown at the reception or rehearsal dinners, DVD’s we call ‘The Bride and Groom Grow Up’. We scan old photos of the Bride and Groom as babies and small children, all through their growing years creating a story of their lives before they meet, when they meet, and the engagement period. Not only is it fun to share during the wedding festivities, but also it’s wonderful to pass along to the future children.

Class and family reunions are another way to share memories. Photos gathered from over the years, put to that great music that was the soundtrack in your life, and you’ve got your family and friends laughing and crying wondering where you got that picture!

How long will the DVD be?

That depends on you! You can have as many or as few photos as you like. The average movie is about 100 photos and has three to four songs and runs about 8 to 10 minutes. Please see our offering on packages.

What do I get when I purchase a DVD presentation with SpinningTales Productions?

You receive a professionally produced movie using your photos, music, transitions, titles, and chapters on a DVD with your custom photo imprinted on it and in a DVD holder with a custom photo cover.

Depending on the package you choose, you may also receive a CD with the scanned (and the repaired) images in jpg format for easy sharing. You can email, print or use them in other projects.

Please ask about the Gold Archive DVD or CD’s, an additional service providing you with a DVD that is rated at up to a 300-year life expectancy. We certainly won’t last that long, but think of the advantage to genealogists!

What are transitions?

Transitions are the ‘fades’ between photos seamlessly weaving your movie together. We have found that a simple dissolve between photos works best and is simply elegant, not distracting from the photos or the story being told. However, if you have a request for something flashy and fun, we will work with you to give you your hearts desire.

Okay, so what makes this so different from a slide show or a Power Point presentation?

Well, it’s the Pan and Zoom effect. In fact, it’s all we do. We don’t do a slide show, only the Pan and Zoom because it floats your photos through the screen, giving the ability to do close ups and Pan across the faces in the picture. Think of a wedding photo: everyone’s lined up, smiling pretty, but you can’t see the detail in the faces. We can Zoom in and then Pan across those faces and outdated wedding clothes! It just gives much more interest and visual appeal and brings your personal movie to the next level.

What about music? Can I have my favorite songs?

Yes! What’s a movie without a great soundtrack? You can provide your CD’s for us or we can purchase the music for you from a music download site.

What kind of equipment do I need to show my DVD?

Your DVD will play on most standard players, like the one in your living room. It may not play on very old DVD players, but anything sold in the last five years should be fine. If you are playing it for a special event, check with the wedding planner or manager of your rented hall or restaurant and ask about the equipment they provide.

Your DVD can also be shown on a computer equipped with a player; standard on many computers now.

How far in advance do I need to get the photos and music to you?

Two or three weeks is plenty of time. During peak periods we may need a bit more time. Please give me a call and we can talk about when your event is and your time frame.

How much does it cost?

We have four packages available. Have you viewed our samples?

Can I order additional copies?

Yes. You receive one with your movie order and you may order as many additional as you like. Each copy is written on DVD from the original software, so there is no loss of quality. For larger orders, please ask about special pricing.