The
Repository
Living
Features and Advice
Friday,
May 6, 2005
Memories:
Out
of the box
and onto a DVD
and onto a DVD
By
DENISE SAUTTERS
Repository Living section writer
Repository Living section writer
When
it comes to photography, Michael Sage knows no boundaries. At least it
seems that way. "His work is incredible," said Stephanie Schaadt, whose
wedding Sage shot last year. "He used great transitions from scene to
scene and added music that Jon and I picked out. It was great. We were
his first wedding, and we were amazingly pleased." On Screen Weddings
is one of four photography and technology-related businesses Sage owns.
The others are Sage Integration, Sage Promedia and his latest pursuit:
ShoeBox DVD, which makes video productions from photos and other personal
memorabilia. The idea came to him "because so many people throw photos
and other memorabilia into a shoebox and then forget about them." He said
he would like to take these things out of the box and turn them into a
DVD production, complete with music, text and motion effects. He can also
add video interviews to the DVD, making it a family history. His packages
also include a Photo CD with all the captured photographs making re-prints
easy to do, and is also a great way to store them.
"Photos fade and are costly to make duplicates,"
he said. "A DVD will last for generations." He takes his equipment to
the customers' homes rather than asking them to bring their photos and
memorabilia to him. The first step in Sage's process is to capture the
photos provided by his client. He then manipulates the photos, resizing
them and adding motion effects. He also can apply text across the front
of the photo or around it, as well as music. For those who want a family
history included, he arranges for interviews with family members, films
them and adds them to the DVD. Sage started his first his first business,
Sage Integration, 20 years ago. "This is an information technology consulting
company," he said. Sage works with companies that use several mainframe
computers to store information. He integrates the data and puts it' ,
into one application for the companies. In 2002, he founded Sage Pro-media,
a multimedia production, graphics and Web design company for businesses
and organizations.
One of his recent projects was a DVD for
the Service League for Community Health and Education at Doctors Hospital.
The video was shown at a fundraiser to help donors understand the needs
of Franklin School in Massillon. "He interviewed the principal, guidance
counselor and five students," said Darlene Violet, president of the organization.
"His video was touching and I think it made a difference." Violet got
Sage's name from the minister at Church of the Lakes United Methodist
after talking to several other people in the DVD business. The minister
uses Sage Promedia for video productions to enhance his Sunday morning
sermons. Violet was pleased with the results, and the cost. She said when
she called Sage "and told him what I wanted, he did it for a lot less
than other estimates I got." "Video is a powerful and effective method
of communication. I want to provide these services at a cost that is affordable,"
Sage said. Brandon Mantel, co-owner and vice president of Donamarc Water
Systems in Akron, said that Sage has done some commercial work for him
and "I love his work. He is very professional." Sage started his On Screen
Wedding business in 2002. "We usually shoot seven to 10 hours of footage
and spend three to four weeks in the editing process. Our DVD's look and
sound more like a movie than a regular wedding video," said Sage. "A wedding
is a keepsake, so we; try to make it special."