View Full Version : DVD Menus


Yoochul Chong
July 14th, 2006, 04:59 PM
How much work do you guys put into the overall DVD experience. Do you guys add motion menus, scene selections, transitions videos, first plays???

Do you have samples online?

Peter Jefferson
July 15th, 2006, 10:15 AM
How much work do you guys put into the overall DVD experience.
((Lots, its one of our fortes and one of teh main reasons people hire us. The "wow factor" hooks them, the content reels them in.
From cover art work, to the motion clip of teh main menu, through to the images in teh scene selection screen its all made to "feel" like their about to watch a movie. ))

Do you guys add motion menus,
((yes. I do 2 differnt types. A 1 minute clip of footage which DOESNT show all that much coz tht ruins the surprise. The other is to create an animated growing up slideshow as the menu video. This works well, goes for about 3 minutes))

scene selections,
((Yes static screen, no music))

transitions videos, ((huh?? oh i get ya.. err.. no.. transition clips can be cheesy and piss people off when theyre trying to get the show started. I find that transitioned parts in DVD menus annoy the crap out of me, so i dont do it to my clients. ))

first plays???
((First play is the Dolby Digital trailer of the clients choice. If they dont choose, i choose one for them. It gets their attention as theres only a handful of us here in Aus who are licensed. Many make the claim of offering surround but none have the proof to be able to do it properly or to do it to the global standards set by Dolby Labs (i been in audio for 13 years, so it makes a differnce)
U must be licensed to do this i might add (ie trailers and actually advertise the fact that u deliver in teh format).
Moving on... Before the feature starts, i have my logo rolling out <i have different animations depending on teh mood of the piece> and at the end of the feauture, i leave a Best wishes message with out website as the signiature. ))

I dont do end credits anymore. I used to, but it took up too much time, (especially when 800guests rock on up and the client wants teh gust list as the closer. I do TV style opening sequences if the client wants to pay for it, but theyre not cheap. These are effects driven pieces with advanced compositing (Combustion) and particle effects (Combustion and Particle Illusion).
It also requires the bridal party to act like dickheads so we can get that corny shot of them for the freezeframe. Glenn wrote about end credit "how to" a while back, and to get this kinda stuff, u really do need a bridal party thats willing to let go of their inhibitions.. much like the 17yr old russian bridesmaid i shot once.. my goodness could that girl move... aaaaaaaanyways..

"Do you have samples online?"
Nup

I think that answered ur q bro

Rick Steele
July 15th, 2006, 09:56 PM
How much work do you guys put into the overall DVD experience. Do you guys add motion menus, scene selections, transitions videos, first plays???

Do you have samples online?

No first plays for me. I just get on with it.

I generally try to create the menu using the wedding colors. Nothing fancy. Just a main menu and one "chapters" (scenes) menu which is text only:

http://s169829258.onlinehome.us/crap/menu.wmv

And a simple jacket as well:

http://s169829258.onlinehome.us/crap/Jacket.jpg

Monday Isa
July 15th, 2006, 10:22 PM
Work put in to over all DVD experience, approx. 4-6hrs for 2 types of menus (disc1 and disc 2), Case insert and image on disc

Motion Menus: Yes I do except for scene selections like Peter: just a pic with the chapters on it no music

Transition videos: Not yet, thinking about one soon for first crazy client I get.

First plays: just company logo and information

Online samples: www.quincevideo.com/menujd.wmv

I don't film weddings, just Quinceaneras and other stuff.

Peter Jefferson
July 16th, 2006, 05:09 AM
I would warn anyone who intends on using trademarked logos NOT to unless theyre licensed to do so. Logos might make teh product all spiffy and professional looking, but theres more to placing a format logo on a jacket than just the art.
Dont get me wrong, if people are licensed, im all for the use of art in as many elements as possible, be it marketing or product packaging, however people use these logos for marketing a product which has not been verified by the trademark/technology owners.

This in turn raises questions as to legitimacy of the product, the format itself and the business as a whole (considering the business ISNT licensed to use said logos).
It also makes it difficult for legitimate licensees to sell their work using these same formats.
Not that there is seemingly more competition out there, but the fact that the general public do not know any better, which in turn is misleading them into a product/format which the company in question has no right to advertise or affiliate themselves with.

This is a major issue with Dolby Labs as well as DTS, not to mention the DVD Forum. These 3 are the largest trademarks known to Digital Versatile Disc and theyve been grossly abused, and which i might add, are being cracked down upon to the extreme extent of the trademark laws.

Monday Isa
July 16th, 2006, 07:38 AM
Neva mind, found the answer

Yoochul Chong
July 16th, 2006, 06:59 PM
thanks for the input. some great samples out there.