Making the most
of your camcorder
YOUR CAMCORDER IS not only for vacations and parties. Keep it ready
throughout the year for a variety of projects.
Here are ways to use your camcorder that will provide hours of fun and
make your life easier.
Create a living history
Interview your grandparents by asking questions about their childhood,
school years and marriage before kids came along. Ask about jobs and
time in the armed forces. They’ll enjoy reliving their memories, and you’ll
have a living history to enjoy for generations to come.
Make a living record of your child’s growth
Videotape your child each year, on holidays or ordinary days, asking
the same questions about friends and school and hobbies. You’ll both enjoy
watching how your child has grown and changed, and stayed the same!
Safeguard your possessions
Videotape your possessions, including car, electronics and jewelry,
zooming in on serial numbers and small objects. This can help you to collect
insurance in case your valuable property is stolen or damaged in a disaster.
Store the tape or a copy in a safe place.
Brighten up a rainy day
Videotape your children acting out a scene from their favorite fairy tale
or TV show, and watch it with them while enjoying a bucket of homemade popcorn.
Improve your public speaking
Videotape yourself making a presentation to the PTA or to your book
club, and watch it. You’ll see if you fidget too much or use fillers (like “um”
and “you know”). Then, with practice, you can avoid these pitfalls and give
entertaining presentations.
Send the grandparents a birthday video
For the same price as some store-bought greeting cards, you can create
and send a videotape filled with your child’s smiles and voice as he wishes
great happiness on a special occasion.
