End of year video - what software to use?

[reggiep]

Every year I get the same question from the same member of staff...

 

"What shall I use to make a slideshow for all the year 11 students who are leaving soon? Whenever I use moviemaker it goes wrong!"

 

It goes wrong because she brings the project into school but leaves all the media she has linked at home - every year.

 

Does anyone know of any exciting tools out there that could be used to make an interesting slideshow/display to play to all the leavers to make them cry, as they do every year?

 

Thanks

[laserblazer]

Powerpoint 2010 and beyond.

[steveg]

Photostory?

[BKGarry]

Photostory? very simple and by default exports it all as a WMV.

 

Download Microsoft Photo Story 3 for Windows XP from Official Microsoft Download Centre

[reggiep]

Thanks guys, I do tend to flip between powerpoint and Prezi myself and we have photostory on all our computers. I just wondered if we were missing out on some new software that is easy to use, for the teacher, but wowed the audience (wowed looks weird when typed out!)

[jallsop]

Thanks guys, I do tend to flip between powerpoint and Prezi myself and we have photostory on all our computers. I just wondered if we were missing out on some new software that is easy to use, for the teacher, but wowed the audience (wowed looks weird when typed out!)

 

The problem with almost all media handling tools like these is that the File-->Save just creates a library file, rather than an actual product that is transferable. I have had hells own problems with the kids and iMovie here. They need educating in the Export tool, to make the video or whatever. I usually find that the old response of 'what video' when searching the USB drive a useful one. I filter for MOV, MP4 etc, so when it shows no video, they look confused, and actually ask for help, which of course, I freely give.

 

Sometimes its easier for you to do these things yourself, however.

 

A quick note on Prezi etc. Being web based, you can't always be sure of an internet connection in every place they want to show the video. Outside, in a marquee in the middle of the sports field for graduation lunch. Nope, thought not. :-)

[SteveBentley]

With Prezi if you get, or upgrade to, an Edu account (Pricing | Prezi) - it's free - you get the option to download the presentation to play offline. My .ac.uk email got me an Edu account, I assume sch.uk will too and the Swiss equivalent.

 

+1 for PowerPoint 2010 and its ability to export a video file too.

[jallsop]

Sadly not, as there is no .ac.ch for Swiss international schools. We tend to just use .ch which means its difficult to convince them to give educational accounts, despite having the name of the school in the address. I've also had some experience of offline Prezi in a previous school. Wasn't that impressed TBH.

 

I tend to slam the photos into iMovie, and do a quick movie with default settings, randomising the transitions and adding the funky titles from the templates. Cos most don't use mac, they're wowed by it.

[StuSmith]

Photostory? very simple and by default exports it all as a WMV.

 

Download Microsoft Photo Story 3 for Windows XP from Official Microsoft Download Centre

 

I love Photostory 3, it is so simple any numpty can use it.

[WithoutMotive]

Serif MoviePlus - I produce the video for Leavers' Dinner ever year. I used to use Adobe Premier but we switched to the Serif package about a year ago. Brilliant piece of software.

[eean]

It's got to be Animoto - Make & Share Beautiful Videos Online

Upload a load of pictures, upload a copy of 'time of your life by 'green day' and boom, you're done. It does all the funky stuff for you. Saves as a movie

[netadmin]

I've used Adobe Photoshop Elements in the past for photo slideshows.