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Frequently Asked
Questions
1. How do you
actually create the Staria Melody?
As flattering as it may be that you are interested in
my process, you're really asking me to tell you my trade
secrets. And, that I won't do. I will say that each and
every piece is individual, original, and truly yours, based on
information that you have given me. If that information is
incorrect, then, obviously, your Staria Melody won't really
be yours but the melody is truthful to the submitted
information. 2. How long
does it take from placing my order to receiving my Staria
Melody and Staria Photo Memories VCD?
Each Staria Melody is literally a creation from
scratch. Without the Photo Story Memories, you should
receive a finished CD within three weeks. If, for any
reason, there is a delay, you will be notified immediately
by e-mail or phone, and given a new completion date.
This doesn't happen, often. Generally, timing is known at
the time the order is placed. There are, however, times of
the year where orders are more brisk than others and
backlogs can occur.
Planning ahead so that you will be able to view your Photo
Story Memories VCD at the time of your planned event, is
paramount. Photo Stories can increase the time, based on
your needs, what you want to include, and how long it
takes for everyone to get the photos and scanned items to
me. You are kept apprised, every step of the way, and
will be reminded of items that may not have arrived in
time to complete your VCD.
3. If I have
more than one celebrant, can I have ALL their Staria
Melodies on the same CD?
Yes,
you can, if you are willing to pay for each one, separately.
You are, in fact, paying for one Staria Melody per specific
date. It's better to have the date of the event as your
Staria Melody base for more than one celebrant. You can
always order a separate Staria Melody for one celebrant
at another time.
Each additional Staria Melody takes the same amount of
time to create as the first, and asking me to do this without
compensation is the same as your boss asking you to work
three jobs because you're available but only wanting to
pay you for the first one. This wouldn't be fair to you and
requesting additional melodies for the price of one is not
fair to me.
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4. What do I
need to be able to play my VCD?
The VCD is played on any CD compatible player or
drive. It uses either Real Player or
Windows Media
Player 7, and above. It is a FREE download and very easy
to install and control. You may simply need an update.
Most computers, today, already have the automatic
viewing capacity, and the VCD will run as soon as you put
it in the drive.
5. Once the
Photo Story Memories VCD has been created, can I have
extra copies of just the photo VCD without the Staria
Melody?
I'm
sorry, but the process of music and video recording is
done at the same time and my business is creating the
Staria Melody. There are others who can do far superior
video work than I and they would be the ones to contact.
6. What
information do you need from me to begin the Photo Story
Memories VCD?
Once
you have decided that you want to place your order for
your own personal Staria Melody, you will need to make a
deposit of one-third of your total bill.
For video stories, you will need to furnish me with all the
pictures and items you want included, from all sources,
based upon your package choice, no later than two weeks
prior to the completion date. Please complete the form
requesting all names, captions, etc., as soon as possible.
The ideal is to have a separate piece of paper printed or
typed with numbered lines corresponding to all pictures
and documents.
For hard copies, it's very easy to number the back of
pictures to match your master list. For those you have
placed online for downloading, you will need to include
corresponding numbers and captions for each one to be
included in your package. Whenever possible, scan your
master list to for easy uploading. You are responsible for
ALL correct spellings and numbers. Please check and
double-check your information.
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7. Why do
you give a FREE gift card with each CD?
I am
very proud of the finished product and want the
accompanying card to be a part of and represent the
uniqueness of the Staria Melody. The gift card is a 1/2
fold linen (value $7.99) card printed with the legend of the
Staria Melody on the inside and includes signature and
date lines for the gift-giver. In addition, much thought has
gone into the language used for a variety of celebrations to
make the entire package a truly unique and personal
treasure.
Each purchased CD or VCD has a companion card
enclosed in a cellophane sleeve to keep it in pristine
condition. NOTE: You are not purchasing a gift card!
Asking to not have a card included with your CD or VCD
will NOT reduce the price.
8. Do I get to
keep the original master copy?
No. The
master copy is my own copyrighted product. It is readily
accessible for additional copy orders for five years, after
which it is archived. There is an additional $25.00 archival
retrieval fee, in addition to any copies ordered, after
archival.
9. What if
my pictures are all different sizes?
Unless
the pictures sent are under two inches (like the old 110s
and some of today's party Polaroid strip cameras), every
attempt is made to improve and conform your photos to a
compatible size to make viewing a pleasant experience.
You will be notified of anything that simply won't work
and asked for an alternative substitute photo for your
package.
Very old photos that have darkened can be brought up to
a good viewing brightness. (Check the memorial sample.
Most of the older photos were very dark and had
damaged areas.) This process obviously takes longer than
standard digitized photos and you will be told how much
more time will be added to your delivery date. I will say
that most people have told me that it was well worth the
wait.
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10. Is it
possible to include music from other artists on my
VCD?
I do not
include the music from other artists on the VCD without
written permission from the composer and lyricist. In
spite of what you may have been told by other sites
offering this as a part of their packages, this is copyright
infringement. Buying a CD of any musician/performer
does not inherently convey the right to use it for any
purpose other than personal listening.
Compiling your own personal listening album from your
favorite songs off of CDs and tapes you have purchased
is allowed for PERSONAL use only. Asking someone
else to do the compilation and then use that music to
complete a commercial product you expect to pay for is
copyright infringement, pure and simple. As an author and
artist, I will not participate in such an activity. Please don't
put me in the position of having to refuse.
11. How do I
get the photos and other items to you, if I don't live near
you?
You'll
be happy to know that snail mail, the U.S. Postal Service's
method of using stamps and envelopes, is still a viable
alternative to today's high-tech e-mail attachments! At
the time of your order, you have already given me the
information I need to start your Staria Melody and the
process begins before pictures are ever exchanged.
Online downloading or e-mail transfer is the preferred
process for accessing your items. This keeps the originals
with you and also makes it very easy for me to complete
your Staria Melody and Photo Story Memories VCD
within the promised time frame, while keeping your costs
down.
Photos and scanned documents can then be sent via
e-mail, as an attachment, or with the download URL for
the online address where you have them stored. You can
find FREE photo storage space at Yahoo.com,
Blogger.com,
MySpace.com,
etc., offer web space to display your photos you register. Today, most
e-mail providers (AOL, Sprint, AT&T, etc.) offer their subscribers web space
for sharing photos, too.
For those without access to e-mail and web space, sending photos and text
items through the mail is the only way I can think of to get the hard copies
to me, short of having friends drop them off if they happen to be passing
through my area. These will then have to be scanned (at $.50 per
photo/item). Doing the scanning and making sure there is a viable product to
work with is time consuming and will add to the cost of your package. Many
families share these costs because they value the uniqueness of their Staria
Melody VCD so highly.
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12. Is the
sheet music available for my Staria Melody?
Yes.
Sheet music for your Staria Melody is available at $15.99
per copy.
13. What is
the difference between narrated captions and scripted
narration?
Regardless of how the captions are attached to
each individual slide of the VCD, it has to be timed and
fine-tuned to blend with the balance of the entire show.
With each change, adjustments have to be made.
Narrated captions are those supplied by you through the
accompanying numbered picture/document list you are
asked for at the time of your order.
Scripted narrations are those you want me to create. I
have been writing and performing voice-overs for the
better part of my life. Utilizing your information, a custom
scripted commentary is created to give you a truly
professional VCD production.
14. Can I
turn the Staria Melody off during viewing?
No, the
Staria Melody is an integral part and the purpose of your
Photo Story Memories VCD and cannot be separated.
You can, of course, mute the sound on your player. But,
the Staria Melody is specifically recorded at a listening
level designed to please as it underscores your slide show
viewing.
This is a conscious choice made for recording my Staria
Melodies when underscoring the Photo Story Memories
VCD. I have the same feelings about supportive music as
I do for captions and narrations. However, in this instance,
the product IS the Staria Melody. But, even my incredibly
fantastic creation can become irksome after continuous
re-looping throughout lengthier slide shows. Keeping it at
a tone that can be dismissed allows the viewer an
opportunity to enjoy memory lane without intrusion and it's
very easy to return to active listening to the melody.
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15. Do you
keep my credit card details when I make a deposit or
payment for my Staria Melody?
No, your
credit card details are taken at the secured PayPal
payment processing site. Alternatively you can pay by
Money Order or Cashier's check. If you send a personal
or business check, no action will be taken on your order
until funds clear the bank.
NOTE: A friendly word about
captions and narrations. We are strange creatures, we humans, and we
go through many phases. What appears sharp and witty at one stage of
our lives may not have the same impact at another time. What was once
considered cute, rapidly becomes commonplace, even irritating, with
subsequent viewings. As we get older, simply visiting the past, reflecting
on our own shared moments with loved ones is what we want. Captions
invade that reverie and demand our attention. The same can most definitely
be said about scripted voice-over narrations. What appears inspired
during initial viewings, quickly changes to boredom and everyone starts
using the fast-forward button, just to get past what was once considered a
great thought! In truth, what works for sales presentations just doesn't
carry the same weight for private viewing.
Offered as a suggestion, only, is that you keep captions to a minimum and
use the CD/VCD insert to display the sequential slide captions. You
and the future generations will find your viewing sessions far more
enjoyable and worth revisiting, regularly.
One family I know has a laptop set up on the far side of the room with
their Staria Melody and Photo Story Memories VCD continuously playing.
Family, friends, and guests, visit the past at their leisure and are not
overwhelmed with having a set time and place to do it. Keeping the Staria
Melody, itself, as a soft accompaniment to the Photo Story Memories VCD
makes every holiday and special event a pleasant occasion for everyone.
Those who wish to actually hear the Staria Melody can always find the time
for a private viewing. That said, of course, the ultimate choice is yours.
If you have
any other questions, please feel free to contact me at the 'info' e-mail
address below. TOP |
