Monday, October 12, 2015

This is the time to transfer your home movies. We’ll show you how!




Do you have old family home movie reels that you've vowed to transfer to a modern media someday? We're here to remind you that now's the time! Don't deny yourself and your loved ones the pleasure that these treasured memories bring.
Did you know that this time of year kicks off our busiest time for transferring home movies? Call us today and let's get started. Here's why!
  • The Holiday season is soon upon us and everybody wants in on this great idea. Get in line early to finally get that 8mm, Super8 or 16mm film onto a medium that's long lasting and not as subject to deterioration or destruction. Give yourself a gift of your own peace of mind.
  • Nothing ties together a season of merriment and togetherness like the feeling you get watching precious memories from your past together. Everyone from great grandparents to great grandchildren can enjoy them together!
  • DVDs of your Home Movies make excellent gifts! One easy phone call and you're on your way to a heartfelt gift for practically everyone on your list! And copies are a phone call away.

Be a part of history with Home Movie Day!

Preserving and enjoying your home movies is such a big deal there's even a special day celebrated around the world in mid-October (this year it's the 17th) to watch and remember the unique stories that were written through the lenses of parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, and children who lived in the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s and documented their life and times with a home movie camera.
Do you have some of these "stories" lying around your house? Now is the time to get them told to your family and your community. Transfer them so they can be seen!
You may have some questions. Here are a few common ones. If you have any more call us:
My film is very old. Will it transfer? 
We make every effort to transfer your film no matter what condition it is in and we are rarely stumped. We have transferred movies dating as far back as 1916 and usually have no problem with old film.
Will my old 8mm, Super8 or 16mm film look good?
We love home movies and we are on a mission to make sure yours is the best it can be! That's why we've invested in the best film transfer equipment available. We use a completely digital process using the highest quality capture of your film.
Another great feature of our system is its sprocketless transport and laser frame alignment. What does that mean to you? It means no jerky film movement because of damaged sprocket holes. It means you see 100% of the frame even if the film has shrunk.
I remember my parents recorded sound on some of these reels. Will that transfer too? If there is sound on your reels it will be transferred. What a joy it is to not only see the past but to hear it as well.
What about music or sound on film? 
If you like, and most customers do, we include (at no extra charge) background music. It is our own copyrighted score of music, specifically composed for home movie transfers. No music will be recorded in places where you already have sound on film.
I want to edit as well. Can you make computer files of the captured footage? Yes. We can make computer video files.
Can I organize my film in the order I want? 
Of course. Just number your reels and we will follow your wishes.
Can you put titles on our video? 
Yes. We can put titles anywhere on your captured film to help you identify where it was taken.
There's no better time than now to transfer those old home movies. 

Call or Text us at 559-732-3050!


Top 5 Movies with Home Movies in them


Since we're talking about your home movies let's revisit some classic films with home movies in them.
Christmas Vacation – Clark Griswold gets locked in the attic and what does he find to pass the time? Old home movies and a projector that works! (this is Hollywood, remember.) Clark relives his childhood while staying warm with old ladies clothing.
Down and Out in Beverly HIlls – Max, a troubled teen with rich yet dysfunctional parents, is able to express himself only through the lens of his camera. His creations help move the story in this funny 80's-a-rama.
JFK – Uses the most famous of all home movies – the Zapruder 8mm film that captured the events of November 22, 1963 in Dallas.
Blair Witch Project – Using the literary genre commonly known as “found footage” the home movies in this project give us clues as to what happened to three teenagers who disappeared in the woods. Scary. But remember…it's only a movie.
Sunset Boulevard – OK. Norma Desmond is watching herself in Hollywood movies. But they are movies and they're in her home. It's just a great scene with her famous quote, “I am big. It's the pictures that got smaller.”


Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Call us for Sports Videos: We Got Game

Call us for Sports Videos: We Got Game

You probably shoot a lot of your life on video these days. There are family get-togethers, plays and performances, vacations, you name it. But if there was ever an activity made for video it’s sports action. At our studio we produce two types of sports videos. One we call a Sports Highlights Video and the other a Sports Scholarship Video.

Sports Highlight Videos
A three point buzzer beater. An eighteenth hole birdie. A “hail Mary” caught in the end zone as time expires. Sports action happens quickly. Is it on tape? Why not make that moment, and all your sports moments, lifetime memories? A sports highlight video is a specially produced memento that, whether personal or for your booster club, can be entertaining, inspiring, and maybe raise a little money as well.

We can help you with Sports Center-like effects. Add slow motion or fast motion. Isolate a particular athlete (like yourself?) or point them out with arrows and stop action. Add titles and, of course, some appropriate music. Put in some narration. Mix in newspaper headlines. There’s play by play audio. Interviews. Pre-game speeches and post-game jubilation!

What kind of story do you want to tell? The story of a high school team’s great season? The legend of your senior golf buddies? What about highlighting a special young soccer player? Maybe you’ll even want a blooper reel! We often say: “If your creative mind can conceive it, we can most likely achieve it.” So get your sterling sports moments together. You’ll soon have a personalized sports spectacular presented on a silver platter.

Sports Scholarship Videos
A Sports Scholarship is a specialty video with one purpose: To convince a decision maker that the subject is worthy of consideration for an athletic scholarship. No matter the sport one thing is sure: There may only get one chance in the Sports Scholarship arena. We know how to do it right!


  • Do you have good video that shows your athlete in their best light? Coaches will make choices in ten seconds or less to stay or move on. Do you know what they’re looking for?
  • A sports scholarship video must be concise and to the point. Our editing skills and equipment assure this.
  • A sports scholarship video must include your name, contact information, school, position, uniform colors, jersey number and current grade level. We can do this correctly and make it look sharp.
  • Don't forget the packaging. The greatest Sports Scholarship video in the world will be passed over if it doesn’t look appealing. We know how to package videos with labeling that looks great.
There’s a lot that goes into a Sports Scholarship video. Maybe more than you feel comfortable doing yourself! We are able to provide all the elements to present your student athlete in their most favorable light - from shooting your athlete in action to using your video to edit or any step along the way.

Call or Text us at 559-732-3050!

Top Five Sports Movie Tunes


A great musical theme is what keeps a movie in the cultural psyche for generations. How do you know if it’s a great one? For starters you’ll be able to whistle it thirty years later, or more! In keeping with our theme of Sports Videos here are five of the greatest sports movie tunes that are still being whistled today.



Theme from Rocky – Still the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. How many times have you laced up your running shoes (or maybe just got out of bed) with this theme running through your head?



Theme from The Natural – Those majestic strains (Da-da-daaaa, dum-dum-duuum) still make the hair on the back of your neck stand don’t they? C’mon, admit it!



Theme from Chariots of Fire – The perfect slow motion running song. Where does it take you?



I Believe I Can Fly – Space Jam was an NBA PR piece disguised as a movie, and boy did the kids love it!



Eye of the Tiger – Yes, Rocky gets two great tunes! From Rocky III came this song of desire, redemption, and wild animals.


Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Back to School means Video to DVA and DVD Memories


This time of year is chock full of moments to remember. Summer is winding down. You probably took lots of video and photographs over the summer - at the beach, family reunions, pool parties and camping. Back to school activities are heating up. Your probably going to take lots of back to school photos and videos - new clothes, new friends, football games and cheerleading. Here are a few ideas of things we can do at Home Video Studio to help you preserve those moments as well as present them on a silver platter. 

Family Time Video: Why not spice up your videos with themes, titles and music? What if you took the best video from that family reunion and added titles showing who attended? How about editing that summer pool party with some fast cuts and great music? Your imagination is the limit to how you can creatively turn video into your own creation. 

Photo Video Keepsake: This is still one our most popular services. Can you imagine the impact of a montage of photos and stirring music showing your daughter or grandson from birth to first day of school? How about a time capsule of school pictures? 

Sports Highlight Video: Fast becoming a favorite! Back to school means lots of athletic competition. Now is the time to capture you son or daughter's games on video so that at the end of the year we can help you condense it into a fast paced video production. Music, slow motion, special effects....you're the producer! 

Video to DVA or DVD Transfers: Bring us all videos you've shot over the summer - we'll transfer them to Digital Video Archive (DVA) or an Archival DVD for you. This will keep them safe and convenient. These DVDs are scratch resistant and will keep your memories for a lifetime. Every DVD has scene selection "smart chapter markers" so you can easily find your favorite spots. Call us today to see how we can help you with back to school video savings!
______________________________________________________________
More on FamilyTIME Videos ™
Make your child the star of his or her own video! Home Video Studio will create a FamilyTIME™ Video that features the video highlights that you select of "your star"! Perhaps it's a "Baby's First Year" video, a "Sweet 16" video, or even a "How We Spent Our Summer Vacation" video. Home Video Studio will add music, titles, special effects, and produce a three- to five-minute professional video for you.
FamilyTIME™ Videos make wonderful gifts for long distance friends and family, siblings, and as keepsakes to store for your children when they grow up. You could even make a FamilyTIME" Video for yourself and you can be the star! 


Saturday, August 1, 2015

2015 Hanley Award Nominee for Best Short Video


   
nicholas and vanessa wedding day teaser 
by Arthur Zepeda on Vimeo.

2015 Hanley Award Nominee for Best Short Video

HVS Top 5 Edited Scenes


HVS Top 5 Edited Scenes
Like we said, editing helps tell the story. Here are our all-time top 5 edits. Naturally there are thousands to choose from and your opinion may differ.

Ben Hur – Chariot race. Although this movie is “ancient” it’s still exciting. What a combination of long shots, close-ups, stuntmen, and mannequins to make you think you’re in a Roman coliseum!

Psycho – Shower scene. In order to get around movie codes this murder scene had to use 78 pieces of film in 45 seconds: the head, the hand, parts of the torso, shadow on the curtain, the shower drain, etc. The result was an editing masterpiece.

French Connection – Chase scene. Never had there been a car chase scene like this one. Makes you dizzy just remembering it!

Raging Bull – Fight scenes. Poetry interspersing the violence of boxing as beauty. Moving the movie story along and representing Jake LaMotta’s life. Some say the best ever.

Apocolypse Now – Whole movie. Apparently the shooting was, to put it mildly, chaotic. It took editing miracles to piece a story together, let alone the masterpiece this movie became.


Top Five Drive-in movies


Whether you’re too young to have experienced them, or you’re old enough to regard them as a distant memory, drive-ins are still around and are a great summer fun activity. So find one near you and enjoy! A good drive-in movie should be fun, over-the-top, and a little bit cheesy. Here’s our top five. 

Attack of the 50 ft. Woman - An alien attack, a philandering husband, and a 50 foot jealous wealthy heiress. Now this is the stuff of drive-in movies!

The Abominable Dr. Phibes - Dr. Phibes - a doctor, scientist, musician, and Bible expert – seeks revenge on the 9 people he holds responsible for the death of his wife by eliminating them according to the 10 Plagues of Egypt found in Genesis. Revenge of Biblical proportions makes for good drive-in stuff.

The Blob - This is a drive-in sci-fi classic. Teenagers Steve and his best girl Jane try to protect their hometown from an alien that looks like your grandma’s jello dessert and engulfs everything it touches.

Blue Hawaii - No “best of” drive-in list is complete without an Elvis movie. Like all Elvis movies: 1) Elvis finds himself in an exotic location, 2) finds a pretty girl, 3) hijinks ensues, 4) loses girl and 5) gets the girl with a promise of happily ever after.


Grease - Memorable songs. Teen age situations. Loveable characters. Grease is just fun, silly high school entertainment – even if the teens are all in their late twenties.

Photo, Video & Document Alert! Call on Savers of the Family Archives

In our business we see and hear of true stories like this frequently:

 Betty brought in thousands of feet of 8mm film to be transferred. It was obvious from her meticulous packing and careful labeling that this collection was her pride and joy. Memories dating as far back as 1940 included birthdays, weddings, vacations, and school activities. As the canisters containing the film were opened it was discovered that over half of the film had turned to powder due to improper storage. Imagine her disappointment!

 Most of Jim's VHS tapes were unplayable. Subject to an apartment fire they were, if not hunks of molten plastic, at the least misshapen and unable to fit inside a VCR. Through extraction of the tape from the cartridges and lots of TLC at least half of the precious contents were recovered. Imagine his relief!

 We have a mission to protect your family's heritage and invaluable documents. That's why we call ourselves "Savers of the Family Archives." We have seen the effects that natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and fires have on your life's legacy. We know what time and elements can silently do to your most valuable treasures. Take steps today and let us help you save all of your photos, videos, documents, mementos, and important papers to a disaster-proof format. This is your insurance. The value of preserving these precious items is priceless.

 How do you get started? The first step is to get organized. Where are your photos, videos, and 8mm/and 16mm film? Are they in random boxes, in old albums, unmarked flash drives, on your cell phone, or on an old computer? Where are your important papers? Are they in one place? Don't forget that, as Savers of the Family Archives, we make house calls and can help you categorize your family's artifacts. In addition to all of the memories, there are some very practical documents and records that need to be safeguarded as well.

These might include:
  • Birth Certificates 
  • Property titles 
  • Citizenship papers 
  • Military records 
  • Social Security Cards 
  • Bank accounts 
  • Wills 
  • Insurance policies 
  • Passports Powers of attorney 
  • Marriage certificates 
  • Family tree 
Once saved you will have all the important "stuff" of your life organized on a small, easy and convenient medium ready to be stored in one safe place. Wouldn't that be comforting to know? 

Another benefit of this process is that you now have instant access to all these important items in your possession. You can easily retrieve your favorite photos and make copies for loved ones. You can enjoy videos and film at the touch of a button, and, of course, your personal records are now preserved indefinitely, ready for uncomplicated access in case of an emergency.

 As Savers of the Family Archives we take your family's treasures very seriously. Call us today to preserve them for generations to come!

Call us or email us today! 

559-732-3050

Email: arthur.z@homevideostudio.com


Welcome
We are part of America's largest video production services network with studios located in the United States, Canada and Sweden, and are dedicated to remaining the leading provider of video production, post-production, DVD and digital content services in the global marketplace.

Savers of the Family Archives ™
Don't let natural disasters like hurricanes, tornados, floods or fires ruin your personal property. Take steps today to protect your priceless possessions like photographs, films, videos, memorabilia and personal documents.Home Video Studio's Savers of the Family Archives service was designed especially with this in mind. Our studios can copy everything digitally on DVD or on I-Pod for easy viewing and safekeeping. Don't wait for tragedy to strike before it's too late to save your treasured memories. Call Home Video Studio now!








About Home Video Studio - Visalia



Arthur Zepeda, Owner/Video Artist

Your local Home Video Studio offers a wide range of professional video production services to consumers and businesses alike. We value our customers and want to thank you for being a part of our success!
Home Video Studio strives to make your experience with us enjoyable and truly memorable. Our specialties include video production, video editing, home movie and video transfers, CD and DVD duplication, and much more! For all of your video needs, call Home Video Studio today for an appointment!
559-732-3050

Email: arthur.z@homevideostudio.com



Sunday, July 5, 2015

HVS Top 5 Movies with Flowers in the Title


HVS Top 5 Movies with Flowers in the Title
April showers have given way to May flowers and, in honor of that, here are five great movies with flowers in the titles. A movie by any other name would not be as sweet!

Driving Miss Daisy – A wealthy Southern matron and her chauffeur are both outsiders. Daisy because she’s Jewish and Hoke because of his skin color. As twenty five years pass they try to understand each other’s plights and “people” and realize at the end they are each other’s best friend.
The Rose – In the role that elevated Bette Midler to star status The Rose documents the perils that rock and roll fame can bring, and the need for true friends who can intervene.

Steel Magnolias – The manual for understanding female friendship it’s the story of six brassy Southern ladies who face life, love, and loss together.

Lillies of the Field – Features Sidney Poitier’s breakout Oscar winning role as a handyman who is heading west. His car happens to overheat and before he knows it he’s been branded an “answer to prayer” for a group of nuns who happen to be building a chapel.

Black Orchid – Sophia Loren, a recent widow, and Anthony Quinn, a widower, overcome many obstacles, including well-meaning friends and relatives, to find true love.


Monday, June 29, 2015

Video Editing for Personal & Business by Home Video Studio

HVS: Video Editing for Personal and Business


Do you have several family videos that you want to put together into a single project? Are you a business owner with old video and/or photos that, with a little polish, would make a good promotional piece? If you have the visuals we can make them into something special. These days editing is easy, affordable, and available to everyone.
You might ask, “What is editing?” Video editing is simply arranging and enhancing your video clips to tell a story. What if you have separate videos of your three kids all leaving for their first day of kindergarten? What if you put them all together in one piece showing the inevitable and bittersweet passage of time? That's editing! What if you added voiceover of yourself reading a poem in the background? Now you're a regular Spielberg! You can see how this could get addictive.
Editing allows you to tell a story. People are drawn to stories. When you edit you are creating something more interesting than just random video clips.
Editing sustains interest. It will make your videos concise and have a point. For example, "Our Family at the Lake" - showing quick shots of your family on the beach complete with beach music is much more enjoyable than hours of raw video footage.
Editing is fun and creative. It's a way for you to put your spin and creative touch on something or someone you love.
You've probably watched enough television and movies to know what editing techniques are effective. Here are a few:
  • Transitions - Have you ever noticed a scene fade in? Or a video that slowly goes to black at the end? Those are simple transitions.
  • Color correction - Was your wedding shot in a dark church? Is your wedding dress more blue than white? Color correction is an easy way to address many issues like this.
  • Titles - Does your daughter have a sports video that needs vital information like her position, number, weight, GPA, etc. on it? Does your son want composers' names on his musical recital video? Putting titles in your videos is no sweat.
  • Music - Nothing is more effective and powerful than appropriate music on your videos.
  • Voiceover - Have you ever seen a 50th wedding anniversary photo keepsake with the husband reading a poem he wrote while they were courting? We have. Not a dry eye in the house.
  • Effects - Special effects like slow motion, fast motion, or blur are relatively simple these days.
When it comes to editing we say: Whatever you can imagine we can most likely achieve. When you bring your editing project to us here's a very basic map:

We'll remove footage you don't want
It may sound simple but the first step is just getting rid of video that's not essential to your story.

We'll find what you do want
This is the beginning of the fun - finding the creamy caramel center of your project.

We'll craft a story
This is the most crucial part of your editing and the reason you're doing it. Are you concentrating on chronology, subject, location, etc?

We'll add some "cool" stuff
This is the icing on the cake. Music, effects, titles, etc. are fun and put the finishing touch on.

Whether you are a business owner or have personal videos call us today. Let's team up and create something special from your video clips. Call us today to schedule an editing consultation and session!

Call us or email us today! 

559-732-3050

Email: arthur.z@homevideostudio.com



Welcome
Your local Home Video Studio is part of the world's leading international video production services franchise. We have studios located in the United States, Canada and Sweden. Home Video Studio provides video production and post production services for consumers, businesses, schools, churches, and other organizations!

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

HVS’s Top Five Movies Where Nature is the Star – or At Least the Co-Star


Some movies are all about the acting, some are all about the story. And some combine them with beautiful on-location scenery. In honor of spring we visit HVS’s Top Five Movies Where Nature is the Star – or At Least the Co-Star.

The Sound of Music – Who can forget Maria dancing in a green meadow surrounded by the Bavarian Alps? Stunning.


Lord of the Rings – – Filmed in the natural beauty of New Zealand, many of the scenes did not use any digital enhancements and are as beautiful in person as they are in the movie.


Braveheart – This movie wouldn’t have been the same without the freedom inspiring sweeping, mountainous landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.


Life of Pi – Nature in all her glory (and fury) from the weather, to the ocean, to the pets.


Blue Lagoon – OK, the acting wasn’t that great, but the tropical paradise makes us all wonder what it would be like to start a new civilization there.



Photo Video Keepsakes for the Red-Letter Days Ahead

Don’t you love this time of year? Mother Nature is motivated. Bees are busy. Creation is creative. It’s time for you to get motivated, creative and busy too! There are plenty of red-letter days around the corner where your loved ones will be celebrated, and the perfect centerpiece to these events is a Photo Video Keepsake:


  • Mother's day – Nothing will move Mom and everyone who loves her like a powerful celebration of her life in photos and music. Is this the year to honor her with a gift that will last for generations?
  • Graduation – A lot has happened between your child’s day of arrival and day of commencement, and there’s no better way to say “I’m proud of you!” Photos, videos, certificates, first grade, first communion, first date....all in a unique and creative presentation.
  • Anniversaries – Been married one year or sixty? How moving would a tribute to your beloved be as your time together is captured through images, video and music?

How does a Photo Video Keepsake work?

We use your photos, videos, and/or slides of the honoree along with your choice of appropriate music. Keepsakes can run from fifty photos or even fewer to as many as three hundred or more. We usually add beginning and ending titles to the production, as well as some simple transitions between the photos. Then we put it all on a DVD or a video file for easy viewing.

Will they like it?

Only if they enjoy being honored in the most heartfelt way imaginable. Photo Video Keepsakes are:


  • Personal - Keepsakes are the perfect way to put anyone in the spotlight. What is more personal than great, meaningful photos complemented by inspiring music? Each Keepsake is a unique story - a custom testimony to your loved one.
  • Powerful - What better way to portray a message of "I love you" or "I'm proud of you" or "I'd do it all over again" or "I'm glad you exist in the world" than with the power of image and sound?
  • Portable - PhotoVideo Keepsakes are viewable anywhere you can watch a DVD or video. Homes, offices, auditoriums, fellowship halls. Another reason why they are the perfect way to honor anyone, anytime and anywhere.
  • Practical - Keepsakes make great gifts, not just for the subject, but for all your loved ones. Easily duplicated. Easily labeled.

"This sounds great! What do I do next?"


  1. Call us and let's make an appointment - Why not today?
  2. Start selecting your photos - We always say this step is way too much fun, so don't spend too much time on each photo. Zero in on the photos that tell your story.
  3. Sort your photos - you may want to present them chronologically, by subject...you decide.
  4. Number your photos - Don't use a pen! Post-it's work well.
  5. Come by and let's get started!

And don’t forget all our other services that may come in handy this time of year as well, including tape transfers, home movie transfers, slide transfer, and editing. Attractive Gift Certificates are available as well!

Call us or email us today! 

559-732-3050

Email: arthur.z@homevideostudio.com



Welcome
Your local Home Video Studio is part of the world's leading international video production services franchise. We have studios located in the United States, Canada and Sweden. Home Video Studio provides video production and post production services for consumers, businesses, schools, churches, and other organizations!

Video Production
The next time you are in the market for video production services look no further than Home Video Studio. Our owners are professional videographers and editors. We can shoot your personal or corporate event using the latest state-of-the-art camera and production equipment.

Home Video Studio specializes in events like parties, sports, trainings, business meetings and company promotions. If you are looking for quality and affordability, turn to Home Video Studio. We will turn your video production project into a work of art!







About Home Video Studio - Visalia



Arthur Zepeda, Owner/Video Artist

Your local Home Video Studio offers a wide range of professional video production services to consumers and businesses alike. We value our customers and want to thank you for being a part of our success!
Home Video Studio strives to make your experience with us enjoyable and truly memorable. Our specialties include video production, video editing, home movie and video transfers, CD and DVD duplication, and much more! For all of your video needs, call Home Video Studio today for an appointment!
559-732-3050

Email: arthur.z@homevideostudio.com