Tell Your Story
A personal history documentary captures memorable moments in time. The filming of a person's life stories and experiences is a loving, enriching experience for both you and your loved ones: creating closeness within your family, a connection between generations, and an artistic legacy that can be shared and enjoyed for many years to come.
Filming these stories while your loved ones are still with us brings out their personalities in a way that photographs or letters cannot. It's a gift for you and every member of your family.
Your parents are part of the continuing story of your family. By making a permanent record of your loved one's life, you ensure that present and future generations will know who they are and feel connected to your family's history.
Having a live video of your parents telling stories, visiting childhood places, and talking about the highlights of their lives brings them to life in a way that photographs or letters simply cannot.
Everyone can participate in making a personal history. What a gift it is to hear what life was like before TV, during the Depression, or WWII. Sometimes we're too busy to sit, listen, and enjoy being with the people we love. This changes that.
Every documentary is unique, but here's what the process typically involves.
How long can they talk and tell stories? It can be as little as 2 hours, and as long as 20. It can take one day or ten days. It can include them talking with their children, grandchildren, siblings... you name it. We'll work together to estimate the time needed.
I can film them visiting their old neighborhood, homes, buildings, workplace: anywhere their memories live. I recently filmed a man visiting the New York Botanical Gardens, where he showed me his favorite childhood spots. Turns out they hadn't changed a bit.
Photos are crucial to the storytelling process. Images from the past edited together with just the right music can enhance the emotions of any story. It's like time travel, but with a better soundtrack.
The short answer: anytime. The slightly longer answer:
A short piece can be made and shown at a big birthday, anniversary, or retirement party. The honoree can be interviewed beforehand, or relatives and friends can be interviewed for a surprise piece. Either way, it's guaranteed to make someone cry (the good kind).
The family can be interviewed telling stories about the bride and groom. It can be incorporated into the wedding video, creating a true document of the family that will be treasure.
Leaving the home you've lived in for decades can be both a happy and sad time. You can relive warm memories and capture the special spots in your house as you and your family are filmed going from room to room.
No occasion is necessary to capture your life and your stories on film. The only thing needed is your desire to preserve the people, places, and events that shaped who you are. Your grandchildren will thank you.
The filming of a person's life stories and experiences: a loving, enriching experience that creates closeness within your family, a connection between generations, and an artistic legacy to treasure for years to come.
A personal history documentary is the ideal gift for a milestone birthday, graduation, wedding, anniversary, or retirement. Because nothing says "I love you" quite like a professionally edited video.
Cinematic wedding montages that bring your love story to life, from family interviews to ceremony highlights.
Celebrate the milestone with a montage that captures family stories, childhood moments, and the journey to the big day (with or without interviews).