How to do it, step by step
Go to Building the film. Once the animations are ready, open the "Building the film" step. Below the film, under "What would you like to change?", there are three cards: "Opening", "Music" and "Closing note". On the "Music" card, click "Edit". All three cards are optional, and the default is no music. This step costs nothing.
The Building the film step: the "Opening", "Music" and "Closing note" cards Listen to the library. Each piece appears with a sound bar. Click a point on the bar to jump to it, and you can listen to any piece in advance, before you create the film. The library also includes classical pieces for piano and strings.
Or upload your own song. The song you upload stays in the list even while you try other pieces. To remove it, click the X. You can upload an MP3, M4A, WAV, AAC, FLAC or OGG file of up to 25 MB.
Compare the song's length with the film's length. This is the most important step. The site doesn't change a song's speed, because it doesn't sound good.
The situation What to do The song is longer than the film, or about the same length The simplest case. Listen to check that the ending sounds natural The song is slightly shorter than the film Extend it smoothly by repeating a section The song is much shorter than the film Combine two songs, or start it again from the beginning You chose nothing The song ends in the middle of the film, and the site doesn't choose for you The site shows the three options together, and you can pick one of them at any time.
Two songs in one film. This suits longer films. The default transition fades the first song out and the second in, with no silence at all. Choose songs with a similar mood, and place the change at a natural point in the film.
If there is an opening with a dedication. There are two options. The default: the song starts with the dedication. Or: a quiet melody plays under the dedication, and the song starts on the first photo. You can replace the melody. For how to write a dedication, see the guide Opening card and closing note.
Listen to the whole film before you download. Check that the song ends pleasantly, including over the closing note.
How to choose a song that fits
Start from the mood of the photos. Old, quiet photos suit a calm melody, and photos from a celebration suit a happier song. Songs with lyrics can be very moving, but make sure their mood suits the occasion and the audience who will watch the film.
The film's length is set by the number of photos, at about 12 photos per minute. So once you know the length of the song, you can work out how many photos will fill it exactly. A 3-minute song suits about 36 photos. And if the film is longer than one song, two songs with a smooth fade are usually the most pleasant solution.
What to avoid
- Choosing a fast, upbeat song for a film of old, quiet photos. The pace should suit the photos.
- Relying on a song whose length you only know roughly. Check the song's duration against the film's duration.
- Expecting the site to speed up or slow down the song.
- Choosing two songs of very different character.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upload my own song?
Yes. You upload a song file in the "Building the film" step, and it stays in the list next to the library.
What happens when the song is shorter than the film?
The site offers to extend it smoothly, combine a second song, or start it again. You can pick any of these at any time.
Will there be silence between two songs?
No. The default transition is a smooth fade with no silence at all.
Does the music last until the end of the film?
Yes, until the very end, including through the closing note.
