Start planning your video biography interview - before you take another breath

I belong to the Catalina Rotary Club here in Tucson. One of the features of our weekly lunch meetings is a segment called the "Member Moment." During this time, one of our members takes three or four minutes to talk a little bit about his/her life. Well, last week one of our more senior members had some time in the spotlight - and he made his moment quite memorable. In a matter-of-fact way he sketched for us a life filled with adventures, both in peace and wartime; a life filled with business success and family joys and sorrows. As he returned to his seat at the table he and I happened to be sharing, the president of our club said, "Wow, what an incredible life. Have you had Steve do one of his videos about you?" "No," the member replied. "It's too late for that." I immediately piped up and said, loud enough for the others to hear, "Too late? You're still breathing aren't you?"

Let's face it: Capturing our stories and the stories of our loved ones on video has to be done while we're breathing. There's just no other time that'll work. And yet, time and again, countless numbers of folks run out the clock. Take a gander at the obituaries in your local paper today. How many of those souls do you think recorded their stories as a legacy for their families? Chances are not many. I can't tell you the number of times I've been approached after one of my presentations by people who've said, "What you're doing is wonderful. I wish we'd created a video biography about my (father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, etc.) while he/she was alive."

None of us knows what fate has in store for us. So if you have a parent, grandparent or other relative you want to interview, don't wait. And if you're old enough to have some stories to tell and some life lessons to share, there's no time like the present to commit them to video.

So take a deep breath and get started. Do it today.

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Video biography Webinars continue this summer: Join the fun!

So, how can you take part in a series of fun, informative and inspirational video biography workshops without flying to Tucson, Arizona? Easy - just register for Family Legacy Video's "Video Biography Summer Session" - a series of online Webinars offering professional tips and tricks for planning and producing legacy videos - and learn in the comfort of your own home!

The series is the result of May's successful trial run of "Video Biography 101," Family Legacy Video's first Webinar. Thirty attendees participated in this trial run, which was very well received. Now, Family Legacy Video is expanding its Web offerings - and you're invited to take part.

The online series offers six sessions. The first class, a repeat of "Video Biography 101," kicks off on Tuesday, July 28. If you've already attended this Webinar, you can join the series starting with the second session on August 4. Register for individual sessions, or save some money by selecting either the six-part series (including "Video Biography 101") or the five-part series (excluding "Video Biography 101"). Choose either a morning or evening session.

Afraid you might miss a class? Don't worry - all the classes will be recorded. If you miss one, or just want to review, you'll receive links to the archived recordings. The registration deadline for the six-part series is July 24. For the five-part series, you'll need to sign up by July 31.

You'll find complete information on Family Legacy Video's Workshops & Webinars page. Register now and join us for some hot video biography fun in the summertime!

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Video biography project leads to a high-flying experience

In 2006 I interviewed Charlie Wilson. Charlie is a former B-17 pilot and a large part of his interview focused on his exploits during WWII. Little did I realize that Charlie's video biography would lead to my own flight in a reconditioned B-17 - and a chance to experience, in a very small way, the aircraft that Charlie and his crews flew under very perilous conditions.

Charlie's video biography featured a large amount of archival footage showing B-17 crews in action during the war. The more footage I watched, the more I marveled at the daring, bravery and resilience of both the crews and the machines they flew. I'm sure I remarked to my wife, more than a few times I'm sure, how exciting it would be to fly in a B-17. Then, as a 50th birthday gift, Halina gave me a ticket to what turned out to be the ride of my life.

The Collings Foundation, an organization that preserves vintage aircraft, brought three WWII bombers, all in working order, to Tucson: a B-25 Mitchell; a B-24 Liberator; and a B-17 Flying Fortress. Halina, myself, my mom and brother arrived to find all three planes sitting on the airstrip and open for inspection. We spent some time climbing in and out of each plane - and then it was flight time.

As the flight crew slowly rotated the props to get the oil circulating, my group of ten passengers climbed into the plane. I was lucky to get a seat behind the co-pilot (not a seat, really, just a patch of deck with a seat belt). Across from me, behind the pilot, was a fellow, now retired, who was only six years old when his brother died while piloting a B-17 over Germany. He was flying as a way to honor and remember his brother. His story reminded me how many men sacrificed their lives in planes just like the one we were about to fly.

Then, one by one, the engines kicked in. The plane began to vibrate, the roar from the engines grew and the scents of fuel and oil wafted through the air. Then we were aloft and got the signal to unbuckle and move about the aircraft. My seat mate and I made a beeline for the nose. There, in the area once occupied by a bombardier and gunners, we gazed through the Plexiglas covering at a panoramic view of mountains and homes.

Moving back towards the aft end of the plane, I popped my head through an open hatch and was treated to a breathtaking view of the B-17's tail and the mountains and desert landscape beyond. It was a challenge squeezing my 6'2" frame through the tight confines of the Flying Fortress - but I managed to look out every window and sit or stand in every crew position available (except for pilot and co-pilot, of course).

And then, all too quickly, we were given the signal to buckle up and prepare to land. After a gentle touch down I swung myself out of the hatch and, adrenalin still pumping, rejoined my family.

The ride brought me a much deeper and visceral understanding of the B-17 and also a greater appreciation for the tight and uncomfortable conditions endured by the plane's crews. It was, truly, the ride of a lifetime - one for which I have to thank my wife, the Collings Foundation, Charlie Wilson and all the B-17 crews that risked and sacrificed so much to preserve our freedom.

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Our first video biography Webinar: The reviews are in!

On May 19, 20 and 21, Family Legacy Video dipped its toes into the waters of online training - and found them warm and inviting.

"Video Biography 101" was the first in what may potentially be a series of sessions offering online video biography education to folks who don't have the time and/or budget to attend a workshop in Tucson, Arizona. Family Legacy Video's Steve Pender hosted the morning, afternoon and evening sessions, which ran between 1 1/2 and 2 hours, depending on the length of the Q&A.

The main purpose was to see if some of Family Legacy Video's in-person workshop material could be successfully adapted to the online Webinar format, where attendees log-in over the Web and communicate with the presenter either via telephone or chat.
Were there some technical glitches? Sure, a few. And certainly Steve encountered a little bit of a learning curve while getting the hang of the new technology. The good news, however, is that the sessions ran pretty smoothly - and the format shows promise.

Here's what a few of the attendees had to say:

Thanks for the Webinar last night. I thought this was GREAT! You are an exceptionally gifted facilitator and teacher. You have so many gifts for this work: A clear voice - excellent pacing and tonal variations. Remarkable! You clearly "held" the meeting together by providing the verbal inputs we continually needed - thanks! I got the feeling that you love what you do and are flexible to work with people. You impressed me with your willingness to share. THANK YOU.
Rakesh K., Massachusetts

That was FANTASTIC! Really a great Webinar! I learned a ton and took over 3 pages of notes. It is really wonderful for me whenever I see someone who does things EXCELLENTLY. It makes me so happy when I see someone who has taken obvious care and pride in the work they do and that is so evident in everything I've seen on your Web site, plus this fantastic Webinar.
David R., California

I wish to thank you for a job well done!! My motivation for attending the Webinar was to review the information that I learned in Tucson last year. It is my assessment that the Webinar method of conveying this type information is appropriate and so convenient. I believe that participants from all levels of knowledge about video biographies will walk away informed, inspired and empowered to produce a project. I truly hope that you find this will augment your current business model and incorporate it as a regular Webinar broadcast service.
Del M., North Carolina

So that's it for Family Legacy Video's first foray into video biography Webinars. If you'd like to receive announcements regarding future sessions, simply sign up for our monthly e-Newsletter here or the Family Legacy Video e-List here.

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Family Legacy Video offers its first video biography Webinar!

Family Legacy Video's hands-on workshops are a great value - but not everyone can travel to Tucson, Arizona. So Family Legacy Video is harnessing the power of the Internet to bring our workshops to you!

Based on the responses to our recent online survey, we're offering the first in what we hope will be a series of Webinars to help beginners create legacy videos for themselves and their families. If these Webinars are successful, we may plan some more advanced sessions in the future.

What's a Webinar? It's a live, online session incorporating two-way voice via telephone (both standard and Voice over Internet Protocol - VoIP) with visuals delivered directly to your computer monitor. The Webinar is led by a host, in this case Family Legacy Video's president, Steve Pender.

We've titled our first Webinar "Video Biography 101" - think of it as a video biography primer. You'll learn some of the basics, plus you'll have the opportunity for some live Q&A with Steve.

The Webinar is being offered three times in May - a morning session on May 19th, an afternoon session on May 20th and an evening session on May 21. You'll find complete details on the workshop page of the Family Legacy Video Web site.

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Steve Pender is now a Contributing Expert for the Smart Women's Cafe

Family Legacy Video's Steve Pender recently joined the Smart Women’s Café as a Contributing Expert.


The Smart Women's Café is a new and exciting online networking and coaching site tailored to women. Site founder Katana Abbott invited Steve to join the Café after following his video biography work for almost a year via the Family Legacy Video Web site and e-Newsletter. Steve is part of the Designated Daughter Tea Room, where he will offer advice related to creating life story legacies on video. He'll also be interviewed for a Smart Women's Radio podcast this May.

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Add professional audio to your consumer camcorder

Consumer camcorders have their limitations when it comes to audio. But there's a neat device that can give your camcorder some professional audio capabilities.

For starters, most consumer camcorders have one stereo audio track. Those camcorders that have a connection for an external microphone can usually accommodate only one. And the output from mono microphones (most external microphones you'll find are mono) is sent to only the left or right channel of the stereo track. This means if you want the voice of your interview subject to come out of both left and right speakers when you play your final video, you'll need to copy the voice from one side of the track to the other during your edit.

By contrast, professional cameras usually feature two separate microphone inputs, which comes in handy when you want to record a conversation between two people. Professional audio cables are sturdier than consumer audio cables. Pro cables are also better shielded, which helps to keep unwanted noise, like radio frequencies and electrical hum, from invading your interview. Professional audio cables also have sturdy, three-pin connectors, called XLR connectors. XLR connectors actually latch (that's what the "L" in "XLR" stands for) into the camera inputs. This means you can't accidentally pull out the audio cable during a recording - something that can happen with a consumer-style mini plug.

"Right," you say. "I'd love to use more professional audio gear. But my consumer budget just won't allow me to buy a professional camera and the gear associated with it. What do I do?"

The answer in two words: audio adapter.

An audio adapter contains two XLR inputs, line/mic switches and a mono/stereo selector. It also features two volume controls as well as a mini-jack where you can plug in a wireless microphone receiver. A short cable with a mini plug connects the output of the adapter to the microphone input of your camera.

The adapter mounts on your tripod. You then mount your camera on the adapter.

An adapter is a great, low-cost option to "soup up" your camcorder's audio capabilities. Companies like BeachTek make adapters for specific camera brands as well as "one size fits all" models. BeachTek currently advertises one such model, the DXA-2s Dual XLR Compact Adapter. B&H Photo Video also offers BeachTek products - so visit both companies to do some price comparisons. Each company also occasionally offers used units or floor models at discounted prices.

By the way, if you chose to go the adapter route you're also going to need professional audio cables. But if you can't afford professional microphones with XLR connectors as well, don't despair. You can continue to use your lapel microphone with the mini plug by purchasing an audio cable that has a female mini connector at one end and a professional male XLR connector on the other. You'll find such a cable made by a company called Comprehensive. A 25-footer should cost you around $20.

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On quilts and life stories.

My wife, Halina, visited a quilting expo recently. She came back with vivid descriptions of the many beautiful, handmade quilts on display. As she spoke, some of the patchwork quilts I've seen in the past came to mind. You probably know the kind, the ones composed of fabric swatches of all shapes and colors. And I realized these quilts had parallels to family history.

How? As I see it, our families certainly are "crazy quilts," composed of people of all shapes, sizes and colors; sporting a wide range of political leanings, philosophies and religions. In our family quilts, life stories are the swatches; memories are the threads that bind those swatches one to another. Stitched together, each life story becomes an integral part of the whole. And just like the quilts created at quilting bees, each of our "family quilts" has its own personality and character.

But fail to record those life stories and memories will begin to fade; the ties that bind, that tell us who we are and where we come from will loosen. Our family quilt will lose one swatch, then two, then more. Pretty soon our quilt will start looking like Swiss cheese. Eventually we may have no quilt at all.

That's why I think recording family history, particularly through video biographies, is so important. Video serves to keep our stories and storytellers alive. The greater the number of life stories we collect and pass on, the more complete our family quilts will be. And as the years pass, our quilts will grow larger, keeping each of us warm in the knowledge of where we came from and where we fit into the fabric our own family history.

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Preserve your love story for generations.

Chocolate, flowers, a heart-shaped card and a candlelit meal are all the standard trappings of a Valentine's Day celebration. But it's about time another item was added to the list. I'm talking about video.

Why video? Because the love story you share with your wife, partner or significant other is special and unique. It deserves to be told and preserved and shared. And video provides the perfect medium to do just that.

Here are some ideas:

Surprise your partner. Record your remembrances of your first meeting, your courtship and, if applicable, your wedding or civil union. Talk about what makes him or her special and how he/she has enriched your life. Don't be afraid to let your emotions show. Then, add some music and photos to your on-camera appearance, put the finished video on a DVD and wrap it in a beautiful gift box. Then, play the DVD as soon as the box is opened. A romantic present like this will knock your loved one's socks off - and his/her appreciation for the video will last long after the chocolates are gone.

Make it a team effort. Using one or two cameras, expand on the idea above by videotaping your reminiscences together. You and your sweetheart are sure to have a lot of fun during the taping - and you may even uncover a few surprises as you compare stories and memories.

Say it in pictures. If you're a person of few words, create a photo and music montage for your partner. You might start with photos of your lives before you met, and then progress to courtship, marriage, civil union, etc. The right photos, accompanied by the perfect melody, will touch your true love's heart and remain a valued keepsake for years to come.

Finally, don't forget your parents! If your parents or grandparents or favorite aunts and uncles are still alive, why not preserve their love stories? They'll thank you for it, and you'll be creating more inspiring videos to add your family history video collection.

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