Editing Tricks for Amateur Vacation Video #61

France 2004: Pre-History

France's Dordogne Valley was home to pre-historic cave dwellers.  This is a montage of scenes from our visits to: Font de Gaume; Rouffignac, Lascaux, and Roque Ste. Christophe.

Short and somewhat interesting with a mix of video, still photos, and scanned images of postcards.   It fulfilled the need to document these destinations on my DVD production.  I'm sure it is more appreciated by those who accompanied us than by the general audience on YouTube.

Lessons Learned:

Match the product to your audience.  I posted this movie on YouTube for the audience which happens to read this blog.  I placed it in the DVD for the audience of friends who traveled with us.

Photography was not allowed at most of these sights.  Post cards and photos from guide books are great alternatives, but be aware that many of these sources are protected by copyright.

Music & Photography Copyright Considerations:

This is a short excerpt from one of my older edited videos.  It contains some identifiable music that is regrettably used without permission.  But remember the time this video was created; in 2004 the audience for this production was usually sitting in my living room.  "Fair Use" allowed me to use the music without consideration of copyright.

Today, with digital distribution, artists' rights deserve more attention.  Since this video is intended for non-profit illustration and educational purposes only, I believe that valid arguments can be made for its "Fair Use" in this situation.  The same arguments could be made for the use of postcard photographs. Please understand that I do not encourage improper use of copyrighted material.