Life Story Premium DVD

A GIFT THAT LASTS GENERATIONS

Give a gift to your family this holiday season that will be cherished for generations to come... A professional video interview with an elder of your family. Perhaps the most loving gift you could give to your family and future generations. We have designed a package that includes the features that will insure your "Personal History" is as special as you are. A Legacy is about life, about the times we lived in, and the people and events that helped shape us and each Life Story Premium is as individual as the subjects lives we portray. A professionally produced DVD that documents favorite stories, traditions, happiness, personality, loved ones, accomplishments, beliefs, wisdom and advice. It will be a treasure that will be passed on to generation after generation. Consider it "Regret Insurance" against loosing a loved family elder without the sound of their voice or the stories they tell recorded. DVD is the perfect media to insure future generations will enjoy it as much as you will today. Of course the project can grow by adding other materials and elements to be as special as your heart and mind can conceive.

Outline of tasks and events to produce a Life Story Premium DVD

• We meet and I present samples of my work and answer any questions you might have regarding the process

• I can supply you with a gift certificate to present to your family elder as part of "selling" the idea to them that they tell their "story".
• I supply materials to help organize the topics and stories to be covered in the production.
• I meet with the subject(s) and other family members involved. (I ask that you appoint one person to be the point person when decisions or options need to be considered)
• Out of that meeting I will generate a "scope of production". This will be an outline of the production elements that will best fit the art of capturing the subjects true character, personality and ultimately, legacy. Once we learn what things have been the most important and life defining to the subject we can visualize what scenes need to be shot to include those things in their video portrait. It could be a shot of them going into church and singing in the choir. It could be filming them weeding their garden while discussing the weather or interacting with their grandchildren.. Sometimes the simple every day things they do help define who they are and how they should be remembered.
• We assist in gathering, organizing and reviewing all of the old photographs, film and video that exists and help identify that which might be an asset to this production.
• At this point I develop a "Contract To Produce" which outlines what we have together determined should be included in the production and the projected cost. We both sign this and the production phase then can begin.
• We will schedule the date and time for first interview. On the day of the interview, consider bringing in a professional makeup artist (I have a recommended one) to prepare the subject. This will be viewed as unnecessary by most subjects but our experience is that it makes them feel extra special and gives them added confidence to proceed with what can be perceived as a daunting or overwhelming task for some. The images of them this day will be how they are remembered for generations to come. Shouldn't they look their very best? Also consider having flowers delivered or bring them personally with a note that explains how much it means to you that they are making the effort to do this.
• Interviews are rarely conducted for more than 2 to 3 hours unless the subject has exceptional energy and mental clarity. When subjects have a lot to say we break it up into 2 or three sessions, what ever they are comfortable with. A family member can act as the interviewer by asking questions and being the audience. I can fill that roll as needed.
• Once the interview and other needed shooting is complete it goes to the edit process where I will put it all together. Once I have a "Rough Cut" I will have you view it for any comments or additions needed. Then I finish the edit and produce the DVD. Each one is as individual as its subjects and I am always applying creative ways to personalize each one.

If you have family elders in other cities beyond driving distance, I can find a local videographer who is a member of the Association of Personal Historians to do the interview and send me the tapes and pictures per my specifications for proper lighting, camera quality, and audio system design, usually for a reasonable additional cost.

Here is what family members wrote after having World Family on Video produce a "Personal History DVD"

Thanks so much for the DVD you created showing your recent interview with my dad and old movies and photos featuring dad and our family. After the memorial service for my father, the whole family sat around watching the DVD. We shared a lot of laughs, just as Dad would have wanted. It was a perfect addition to our recollections of his wonderful life. Lin Lichtenberg.

For more information on doing a Personal History see our Frequently Asked Questions and for ideas on preparation for your project, see the Tips page.

We are members of the Association of Personal Historians and as such are committed to advance the profession of helping people preserve their life stories and memories.

To order give us a call or E-mail below.