I prefer to use the generic seminar mode because it leaves all the flexibility of standard Latex unimpaired. If you want something that offers more cute effects, then try a latex package called Prosper. Prosper has greater convenience but less generality. It sets up a special environment for each slide, so you can get pretty backgrounds and fancy transitions between slides, but don't be surprised if some basic latex commands like "\small" don't function properly under Prosper.