Picture slideshow/movie questions

[warpus]

As some of you might know, I went on a bit of an adventure/expedition to southern Chile & Argentina. It lasted 3 weeks, there was a lot of flying, bus taking, hiking, and picture taking.

What I want to create is a slideshow of the trip, and to break it up into day by day sections.

So, Day 1 would have been the flight from Toronto to New York, then to Santiago, then a bus ride downtown, and our arrival at a hostel. I would want this represented by an Indiana Jones type effect, which is what I'm hoping somebody can help me with here.

Basically, I want to use that map effect every time we travel (be it flying, taking the bus, hiking, etc.), to show people where we went, and how we got there. In between the maps, I'd show off all the pictures I took.

I was going to use Windows Movie Maker for this, because I used it to create a slideshow for my sister's wedding, and it was very easy to use.... and I know how to use it now.. but would it let me import a map-effect-movie I'd create in a different program?

So.. 2 questions, I guess

1.) What program should I use to create a map effect?
2.) What program should I use to create the slideshow?

Any tips will be greatly appreciated!

edit: the map effect doesn't have to be too fancy - the link I provided is just an example.. If there's a map, and a line/curves going from A to B, I'll be happy.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Id say that you can use Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro to do all that, but I have a feeling you dont have those. Id look for some free alternatives to those two programs.

 

[warpus]

Actually, my work buys tons of packages from Adobe, so I might have access to that there.

I've never played around with either of these programs - but assuming I can get my hands on a license, how easy would you say would it be for me to learn how to use these programs? Are there any tutorials out there?

I just want to have this done by christmas so I can show stuff off to the family in spectacular fashion

Maybe I could create the maps in after effects and do the rest in ms movie maker?

 

[Genocidicbunny]

There are tons of tutorials out there if you look hard enough. You can also swing by your local library and see if they have anything on After Effects since that one is less explanatory.

You can export the map effect from After Effects and insert it into your slideshow in WMM, although you will have to create a new sequence for every different map effect.

 

[warpus]

what do you mean new sequence?

 

[Genocidicbunny]

well, you want the effect to show where the upcoming pictures are from. So in essence, you're not gonna be able to create one map transition and stick it in everywhere, but rather, you're gonna have to create several, each building on the previous. A simple way to do this would be to simply create one of the full trip and then splice it up.

EDIT- I just realized, Adobe gives trials of its programs I think, which you can use, especially because you need this by christmas.