Business idea- video editing- love some feedback etc

[SpaghettiMonster]

Hi everyone one,

I have recently figured out what I want to do with my life in regards to work. First time in 24yrs so it's a big deal for me. I have posted about this before but I have now thought about it a bit more.

My plan is to hopefully have something started by the end of next year. What I would like to do this year is gather as much information as I can on things like equipment, costs, and whatever else I may need to know about. Plus this gives me the time to save up some money.

Right so I'd love to have my own video/photo editing business.

Years ago I used to edit videos as a hobby and was told (by friends and family) that I was very good and because it is something that I love doing what better way to (try) to make a little extra money.

Here's what I would like to be able to offer
1-VHS transfer to DVD (or whatever other media format I can. Don't know if you can do blueray or not)
2-Scan and re-print old photos that I will edit. (take out any errors or marks etc)
3-create a slide show with photos to music
4-create a basic edited home movie
5-create an advanced editing home movie featuring special effects, music, voice overs etc
6-a number of gift packages featuring different things in each like a photo book, framed photos, etc. Just a few things I can create with what I have edited.
7-a short video for businesses to promote their products on their websites.

I did have a lot more that I was thinking but now I can't remember them all. Basically the majority of why I want to offer is to turn those special memories into something even more unique.

Like I said, at the moment I am in info gathering and research mode but I am very excited to make this a reality. I don't have any degrees or anything but my plan is to create a few vids before I start to show people what I can do. I know that might sound like a risk but I am hoping that my skills will be enough. I did take film & video at school and my teacher was always happy with my work. Though most of the time I wasn't. I am a perfectionist when it comes to my editing and because I always has to hand a project in at a certain time I felt like I handed in rushed jobs. Plus it will give me an idea of how long an edit should take me.

I have no idea how to charge for any of this either. I mean I don't want to charge too much but I don't want to charge to little either. For Christmas my brother got some home movies turned to DVDs for my parents and he said it was pretty expensive so of course I'd want to beat that price. I think I should also charge for my time but have no clue what a good figure would be. I guess this is all just things I will need to research. This is why I like the idea of having this year to do that. Plus with DS around I don't have time to edit videos anyway but I would like to get him into daycare at least once a week next year because I think it will be good for both of us (though I get nervous now just thinking about it).

Oh and I should probably think of a business name as well before I start up lol.

Anyway, I guess I just wanted to get my idea and thoughts down.

Please let me know what you think. Would you pay for this service? Do you have any other ideas on what I could offer? And just any other feedback.

[SpaghettiMonster]

Bumb

Anyone??

[jordansmumma]

I would! I have the old style video camera with the little tapes and have no idea how to turn them into DVDs so I can't watch them... Would love to pay someone to do it and edit them too sounds good.

[Atropos]

Might be an idea to do a course in photoshop and video editing to get up to speed on what technology is out there, and you will need to invest in quality software.
Photobooks are very competitive, there is *always* coupon deals going for them, so look into printers etc to see if it will be worth your while. Home movie editing, business etc would be great. I personally wouldn't use the slideshow thingy, but others might. Good luck with it all!:D

[SpaghettiMonster]

I would! I have the old style video camera with the little tapes and have no idea how to turn them into DVDs so I can't watch them... Would love to pay someone to do it and edit them too sounds good.

Lol when I first read your reply it was when DS was having his 3am feeding and I thought you were talking about the very old cameras with full size VHS in them. I was thinking 'wow that'd be heavy'

:)

[jordansmumma]

Lol no just the small tapes. The new ones come with s d cards but I'm too pov to get a new one!

[EchoSummers]

I think that sounds like a great idea - there's a particulararkwt in the wedding industry / graduation ceremonies / etc :yes:

[SpaghettiMonster]

Might be an idea to do a course in photoshop and video editing to get up to speed on what technology is out there, and you will need to invest in quality software.
Photobooks are very competitive, there is *always* coupon deals going for them, so look into printers etc to see if it will be worth your while. Home movie editing, business etc would be great. I personally wouldn't use the slideshow thingy, but others might. Good luck with it all!:D

That's why I would like to do as much research before hand as I can. Software is always changing and updating. It seems like whenever I buy some sort of technology a few months later a new version comes out.
Even with the editing software, it's always changing. I will really have to figure out what kind of software I want, type of computer, printers, equipment to transfer VHS to DVD etc etc. I'm gonna need a lot of stuff :)

With the photobooks I was thinking that if I can't do it in my own home maybe I could use a company like snapfish. I know people could do that themselves but there might be a few people who don't have the time so maybe that might work. Plus I would just charge them the cost of the book not anything extra (like for my time). This is just something I will really need look into and think about.

Thanks for the reply :)