Here’s a bullet by bullet overview of the tasks at hand when editing family tribute videos. The goal is to go for the audiences’s heart, and these pointers should help.

1. Collect materials. These includes pictures, video, misc, interviews if you plan them.
2. Import materials into your computer and video editing program.
3. Select your first piece of music. Make it appropriate, i.e., if it’s family history, something nostalgic; if it’s a contemporary, one of his or her favorite songs.
4. Place the first set of appropriate pictures alongside the audio (that may be above or below on your timeline).
5. Repeat until you’ve told your subject’s life story. Tributes are usually chronological. Music, then Pictures, until done.
6. Plan a big ending, usually a reprise of the best of what we’ve seen. The music should be emotional, and the review chronological. It always kills.
7. Review. See if there is anything that is problematic, from logic to technical issues.
8. Add effects and transitions. Most video editing apps have plenty if you haven’t done that as you edit.
9. Final review, and copy it to your hard drive, flash drive, or DVD and you’re ready for the laughter, tears, and applause.

Hopefully, this will give you the strength to try making your first tribute video, if you haven’t already. It’s fun and fulfilling, and you’re making an heirloom that will be passed down through generations!

If you’d like to know more, see my book about everything Tributes, including how-to, resource listings, and an honest view of the work involved, at Make Tribute Videos (click).