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 along side the audio (that may be above or below on your timeline).
5. Repeat until you’ve told your subjects 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, 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 a heirloom that will be passed down through generations!