What To Send Us
You're ready to have your Red Thread Story created, but you're not sure what to do next? Here are the steps:
Step 1 - Gather the materials.
Gather all your materials that you plan to send. This will include:
Your Video.
Your video from your camcorder records on to media of some type. The most common media format is miniDV tape.
Some cameras record to miniDVD which looks like a 3-inch DVD. Either format is fine.
Some clients are hesitant about sending their original media without having a backup. Mike's Camera, a national chain of camera stores, offers mini-DV duplication service. They can either do mini-DV to mini-DV or mini-DV to DVD.
Important! Please send us the mini-DV tape.
Sending us the mini-DV tape is important because it has the footage in original size and quality. If you copy mini-DV to DVD and send us the DVD, that footage is compressed in order to fit on DVD. Editing compressed footage is never as good a quality as the original.
Your Photos.
You may send up to 100 of your favorite photos. They can be digital or paper. They must be labeled in chronological order. If your pictures are digital, they probably are already named in order. If you have “paper” photos, you can either write numbers on the back or place a sticky note to the back with the number on it.
Your Music.
You can send either the actual CD's or burn all your songs onto a single CD.
Other Items of Interest.
Some families send photocopies of adoption documents, name tags, hotel flyers, restaurant menus, receipts or any other paper item that has significance in your adoption story. You can also send high quality digial photos of important passages in journals that you might want us to use in your video.
Step 2 - Fill Out the Order Form
You must include the order form with the materials you'll be sending. The order form can be downloaded here.
Step 3 - Package Everything Up
You should send your materials in a sturdy box with a layer of bubble wrap. This will protect the mini-DVD tape and your photos from drops and rough handling.
Step 4 - Mail the Package via Trackable Mail
Your package should be sent via trackable mail such as FedEx or UPS to the address listed on the order form. Make sure you specify that the package requires a signature. Some companies have a tendency to just drop the mail on the doorstep if a signature required is not required.
Once we receive your package we’ll let you know right away and make sure your materials are in good order.
Our Service
We will be in touch with you before, during and after the editing process. Before editing begins you'll know what the current turn-around time is and when you can expect to receive your finished DVDs. As we go, you'll receive status reports on your project so you'll always know where things stand.
Upon completion we send everything back to you via trackable mail and follow up with you upon receipt of your very exciting package.
Should you have any questions regarding preparing your items, please contact us. We strive to make the process as easy and comfortable for you as possible. We look forward to the moment you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your Red Thread Story.