Memory Movie Frequently Asked Questions

What are memory movies?
Memory movies are videos created utilizing your photographs, newspaper clippings, Award Certificates, home movies, music, and other various materials provided by the clients and their representatives. These movies typically are chronologically or topically arranged and presented in a way to enhance the memory and capture the moment.

Does Creative Infusions accept international orders?
Yes, we are happy to work with customers in Canada, Mexico, Honk Kong, and anywhere else on planet Earth. However, please note that all pricing is in U.S. dollars. The currency can be converted when paying through Pay Pal or by getting in touch with your local bank to prepare a check in US Funds.

What have memory movies been used for?
Memory movies have been used to celebrate the life of someone who has passed away, the birth of a child, the graduation of a senior, work on a project, documenting the history of a business, creating a chronological time line of an outreach ministry, sweet sixteen birthday parties, roasts (having fun with the subject by telling slanted stories), paying tribute to a loved one, family reunions, and a wide array of other events and reasons.

How long is a typical memory movie?
Memory movies are between five and twenty-five minutes long. More attention must be given to variety and surprises to keep audience attention in longer videos.

Memory movies appear to be difficult to create. How long do they take to make?
Every memory movie is different. Two similar packages may take quite a different amount of time to prepare. Issues which may slow the production may be due to respective photograph condition, preparedness of the client, communication issues, and the number of projects being processed at the time of the order. Typically each memory project is usually completed in two to four weeks. If you need your video in less time please contact us and check availability for placing in a rush order status for an additional fee.

Do you offer estimates on the expected finish date?
Memory movie completion date, shipping date, and over all process can be monitored throughout the development process, utilizing our online support system. Any update to your project will result in an automated E - mail being sent to your inbox.

How do you accept payments?
For memory movies we request payment be include with your materials in the form of check or money orders (US funds only please). Typically Creative Infusions is on retainer basis with international corporations for web contracts and network / computer security, so we have little need of the merchant account we discontinued five years ago. Our internet sales are usually done via Pay pal, which accepts any major credit cards.

Is your work guaranteed?
Yes! And seeing how we ensure you will get to view it and approve it before the final media pressing you won't be in for any nasty surprises. It will arrive exactly the way it is viewed (but in much better quality). After you have viewed the video, we will gladly correct anything we may have made a mistake on. Changes to the video not in the original package layout we received may have an additional charge.

Do you test the DVD's before shipment?
Every memory movie DVD is viewed in multiple devices from computers to DVD players connected to televisions. Any corrupted DVD will be replaced free of charge within 14 days of shipment. We ask that the old DVD's be returned for Creative Infusions to analyze in case of pending equipment failure.

What makes Creative Infusions better than the other companies I have checked with?
Creative Infusions has over 20 years experience working with computers, 15 years with church audio / video presentation systems, and over a decade with graphic design layouts. We are relied upon by multi national clients as far as Hong Kong to create stunning ad layouts and web presentations. We have made an art form out of every project we take on. Our only creative limitations are the boundaries placed on us by the respective client.

Memory movies created by Creative Infusions are unique and coming directly from your vision and not a template or automated process. Each image is critiqued, enhanced, cropped, color corrected, red-eye removal and sized to maximize its presentational value. Animations, panning, and zooming are all included and used extensively to keep the audience focused on your message. Image restoration is also available.

How do I plan my memory movie?
Memory movies can seem overwhelming to those who have not had the opportunity to work with one in the past. We have very detailed suggestions to help you through the process provided for you in our Preparation Guide. Returning clients have found that on new memory movie projects they feel like "experts" and usually develop their own methods. Simply stated, the client chooses a theme, organizes photographs, picks music, entitles the categories, and most importantly they clearly lay out their ideas so Creative Infusions can easily make their vision come to life.

How do I select music?
Memory movies are about memories. As the director our clients are in the best position to understand what exactly is going to work the very best to bring out the memories with the music they choose. Mood, timing, and You should use songs that are meaningful to you and fit the mood of the photos. Depending on your needs you may also look at what the subject deems their favorites. We must ask that all songs be submitted on commercially produced CDs due to copyright laws, unless you have music you have paid to create, have created it yourself, or have followed the links in the Preparation Guide to find freely available music. Music ripped from cd's, or downloaded from online music stores will not legally work and often will not work away from the computer which obtained the license. We do not wish to see any of our clients entangled in legal issues over the fair use of their music.

My wife and I have made private adult home movies and pictures. Will Creative Infusions work with these adult movies and pictures in memory movies?
It is against Creative Infusions company policy to be involved in working with any adult oriented works, and as such we are unable to use these materials in the production of your video.

Is it safe to send you my photos?
Once your memory movie photos arrive in our facilities we take every precaution to keep them exactly the way we receive them. We ask our clients to package their materials in a secure and snug container with plenty of packing to ensure safe arrival. We ask that our clients use a reliable carrier that provides online tracking (Airborne, Fed Ex, or UPS). If you send your photos through the US Postal Service, use Express Mail or Priority Mail and request a return receipt. Due to a third party being involved Creative Infusions can not be held responsible for the overall condition of your materials. If a damaged shipment arrives we will make every effort to make a photographical record for you to file a claim with the shipping company. After taking inventory of the contents, we will discuss with you on the possibility of continuing with your project. We must state that as of yet we have not had ANY ISSUES with packages being shipped to our facilities.

Do I have to send my photos in the mail?
No, you do not. You can also scan your own photos and send us the image files on a cd. We suggest making two copies of the CD. One for us and one to keep. If you are needing a rush delivery send us both CD's in case one is defective. Please check all CD's by taking them out of the computer and putting them back in. You will NOT be creating a picture CD, instead create a data CD.

What settings should I use to scan my photos?
Photos for inclusion in your memory movie should be scanned in the highest quality the client has time to work with their scanner. At the very minimum 150 dpi (dots per inch) is to be used. Typically 300dpi is the best starting point with anything over 600dpi usually considered excessive. We can handle any image format you throw at us, but typically scanner software defaults to using the JPEG (JPG) format. Please make sure your pictures have 100% quality (no compression). The better the image Creative Infusions receives from the client the better their memory movie will look.

Can I include video clips?
Yes! Video clips are optional feature which we can add to your memory movie. Please see the Preparation Guide for details and Packages for pricing.

What format is the memory movie created in?
All memory videos are created as DVD's and pressed on DVD-R media which can be viewed on any computer with a DVD drive. They are specifically design to be playable on televisions, LCD projectors, and any other devices a typical DVD player can send a signal through. For example churches typically will pull the Video out on the DVD player to feed their LCD projectors, while pulling the left and right sound channels to feed their sound board and thereby feed the main speakers in the sanctuary.

Are there still compatibility issues with DVD media?
Not all DVD players are created equally, especially older ones. If you still have one of the original players a cheap player can be purchased at local retail outlets for around $30 and full surround sound systems start around $90. To check compatibility with your unit visit videohelp.com.

What if my project doesn't fit into one of your packages?
Memory movies are individual and each has its own needs. We have an ala cart menu available on the Packages page to help you add in the extras. If you feel your project does not fit into one of our packages, please contact us for a price quote.

How do I get started?
Please see the Preparation Guide for details and Packages for pricing.