How to add music to a Powerpoint type presentation

[Want-to-know]

I have some music recorded from my cd and filed under My Music. However, I cannot seem to be able to insert it, to accompany a presentation I am using. I am using Open Office org.Impress.

Any suggestions how I can do this?

Thank you.

[ACtheTROLL]

my suggestion is don't

death by powerpoint is bad enough ... but with music !!!!

also - if it's a presentation to people - performing rights becomes an issue.

I work for a multinational - and you can't even have the radio on unless it's through headphons.... and it's enforced.

you never know

[Want-to-know]

I am actually trying to teach myself to use Powerpoint, so performing in a public situation will not be a problem. I just want to be prepared for interview purposes.

[ACtheTROLL]

I understand
http://www.presentationhelper.co.uk/powerpoint _music.htm

but in reality - I'd say don't use music
I use PPtt - I have to use it - I'd prefer not to use it.

the japanese use pecha kucha
http://www.internalcommshub.com/open/news/pech akucha.shtml

it's impressive to see - difficult to do well - but in an interview - it should swing the balance in your favour

powerpoint should be things that would take too long to draw - and bullet points.... not a cbt

another one bites the dust, we are the champions, fanfare for the common man .... the only thing any of them illustrate is a lack of imagination.

strangely many senior managers like to enter with music blaring ... dry ice --- flashing lights

I generally use a combination of whiteboard and powerpoint on an activeboard - generally it's techie clasroom stuff, diagrams and flowcharts to 8 or so people ... but on occasion it's to 2000+

they want to hear and see what you are trying to get over ... not listen to music
quick punches and animated words.
big gestures and movement means they are watching you - not e-mailing a chum

I generally end up making a complete fool of myself ... but people remember the answer - even (especially) if they think you messed up and had to backtrack (but only use it once - looking incompetent isn't a technique)

you must engage your audience ... and you have about 20 seconds to make a mark
I once passed our question sheets after an interview presentation - I got the job.

by the time you start delivering you should know your lines - it's not about the subject - it's about you - a per

[ACtheTROLL]

and never ever turn down stage - they should be reading the slide ... you should be explaining it to their faces - not reading it to them.

1 picture, 100 spoken words - they'll love you

remember that's how I do it - use YOUR personality and strengths ... make sure the rest fits you

and don't say erm, obviously, well, playingfield, flagpole

and don't end sentences on a rise - unless it is a question

[ChuckFickens]

Blurdy hell.... I bow down to AC on the presentation side of things! (I've never had to do one, and dread the day I might get asked to!)

All I say is if your learning powerpoint then why are you using openoffice?

[Want-to-know]

Thanks for all your advice AC.

As a novice with presentations, I would like to improve my skills.

Coincidentally, recently I received some emails with presentations - sort of life affirming stuff with nice photos - and great music in the background. It looks very impressive. Would like to be able to do that as well.

[Want-to-know]

CF, I am using Open Office.org Impress not Open Office org. Impress is the Sun equivalent of PowerPoint. I do not actually have PowerPoint on my computer.

[ChuckFickens]

I know fully what all parts of OO are, I recommend it often.

And I do commend you on trying to learn presentations, In my view they are another one of the "art" type talents that I simply do not have :(

But, my point is solely..... if you are asking technical questions then the fact you are using OO and not MS powerpoint is very important, they are equivalents, but the way you do things on each is very different.

For example, AC provided a link on how to add music to a powerpoint presentation, those instructions won't work with OO impress.

[Want-to-know]

Thanks FC. Got it. I think that trying to link my music to a presentation was my problem.

[ACtheTROLL]

want-to

once you get it all working ... remember you have to make yourself heard - that's the most important thing ...

that means you are doing the talking - not relying on what's on screen - and more important - you're maintaining control - loose that - and they'll eat you - the bigger the group the quicker they smell blood
(remember the new teacher?)

If you get an interview there are two approaches.

the freeform presentation - it's actually quite dangerous - doing a pres on well being to a bank may or may not impress - just because you've devoted your life to ...x
doesn't mean they're interested.
if it's work - stick to the point

(once saw a brilliant one on delegation --- the senario was customer enquiries - the phone rang - and the guy got up and walked out of the room ... reappeared in the doorway and said - just popping to the loo ... can you get that for me?

remember - you are actually selling yourself - the pres is important - but it's you they're interested in
doing a pres on financial structure or similar will impress.

doing the same to a self help group ... well you guess ...

if you have to use sound - silence is golden - don't use a background track - use sound bites -
see the running stream (sound of water ...... fade to silence - and continue to next slide
before you start /after you've done you can ramp it up ... (look at a couple of films - not musicals - the ultimate lesson in presentation;)

[Want-to-know]

Thanks AC for the advice.

[magicmerlin]

In PowerPoint, goto Insert - Movies & Sounds then follow on from there.

Maybe similar in software you are using.

If you have MS Office why not use PowerPoint anyway for practise

[Want-to-know]

Magicmerlin, I do not have PowerPoint, as I have Microsoft Works. That is why I am using Open Office.org.Impress.

I did go into Movies and Sounds and tried to bring in a bit of music I placed under My Music. However, there was a problem of compatability and it would not let me use the music I wanted. My problem is should I have recorded the music and not placed it under My Music and if so, where should I have placed it, so as to be able to import it under Movies and Sounds.

I have received a presentation showingf scenery with a musical track playing in the background. This has been done using Open Office.org Impress. However, I cannot figure out how this was put together.

Therefore besides wanting to learn how to give a presentation for work purposes, would like to send say, some holiday snaps to friends, with a great musical background, in an Open Office org. Impress presentation form, to a friend.

Any further assistance would be appreciated. Thanks.