Ever thought a video biography could bring a family closer together? Happily, the renewal of family relationships can be a fringe benefit of video biography project.
Yesterday I received a letter from a recent client telling me about the wonderful effect his mother's video biography has had within his family. Here's the first paragraph from the letter:
"To date we have distributed over thirty-five copies of my mother's video to family members. We started with our close family, Mother's younger sister and sister-in-law. After the word got out to the cousins, we were inundated with requests for videos from other family members. Mother's only surviving sister, who is seventeen years younger, was not aware of the Washington adventures and many other items that the three older children had experienced. Mother and her sister are now much closer because of the video. Many nieces and nephews with whom she'd had little contact are now in touch with her again. Thank you for providing us with a Family Legacy Video that will be passed down and enjoyed by our family throughout the coming generations."
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Monday, December 05, 2005
Holiday Videotaping Tips
When I was a kid, I had an uncle who owned a film camera. The only way he could get decent exposures indoors was to use lights. There were several of them, set in a bar that was mounted on his camera. When those lights were on, you could see nothing else. I can remember smiling sheepishly, waving, trying to be natural, all the while staring into what seemed light a million kilowatt glow.
While family members on the "business end" of today's consumer video cameras may not have to deal with blinding lights, we all know how uncomfortable many people are when they know they're being recorded; they feel self-conscious and so come across as stiff, nervous and unnatural on screen. What can you do to set your subjects at ease and ensure a more satisfying result? Here are some tips:
1. Start wide. A standard video technique is to start every scene out with a "master" shot. Simply put, this means first recording the entire scene as a wide shot. If you're taping a party or a dinner, for example, set up your camera so you have a view of the entire room and everyone in it. Then start recording. If the camera is in a secure enough place you can even walk away from it for a couple of minutes so you don't call attention to the fact that you're taping. Set the camera on a bookcase, or on top of a TV, anything that gives you a panoramic view of the room or area. Even a tripod in the corner of the room can work; while people may notice it at first, they'll get used to it and ignore it after a while.
2. Let people be themselves. Walking up to people, sticking a camera in their faces and telling them to act naturally is a sure-fire way to suck the spontaneity out of any shot. If you know your subjects are a bit skittish around cameras, hang back a little bit and use your camera's zoom control to get that closer view instead of thrusting the camera into the middle of things. On the other hand, if your subjects are comfortable around you and your camera, don't be afraid to move in close. You can even engage them in conversation if it suits you.
3. Don't be afraid to direct. While you want to intrude as little as possible on a family scene, there may be times when a little direction is called for. Maybe you have an idea for an opening for your video - let's say you want to show a long line of relatives, arms filled with presents, filing in through the front door. Don't be afraid to tell everyone what you want them to do and enlist their cooperation. Set up your camera, place everyone where you want them to be, tell them what they need to do and where they should go after they do it. Then cross your fingers, press the record button and yell "action!" Remember to have fun and also accept the fact that you're not working with professional actors. Be happy with what you get on one or, at the most, two tries.
4. Look for special moments. In every family gathering there are countless small, precious moments that help tell the story of your family. Maybe it's a grandmother reading to her first grandchild, or a group chatting and cooking in the kitchen, or your cousins hanging holiday lights on the porch. Keep your camera close by. When you see moments like these, don't hesitate to capture them on tape. An added plus is that when people are having fun and are truly engrossed in what they're doing, they're less likely to notice you and your camera (and if they do notice they'll be less likely to care that you're taping). Case in point: Years ago I was hired to shoot a profile of an insurance salesman. He was a wonderful, elderly gentleman. We spent a day with him and his family and, as my crew was packing up, I saw the salesman's granddaughter sit down at the family piano and begin to practice. I quickly asked the salesman to join his granddaughter at the keyboard and hustled my cameraman over to the scene. The result was a lovely moment with grandpa and granddaughter enjoying some private time - totally oblivious to the camera.
5. Vary your shots. Shoot your subjects and action from below, above, straight on, from behind and in profile. Change your focal lengths from shot to shot, moving from close to wide. The more variety you have in the way you frame your shots, the more visually interesting your finished video will be. You can use the flip out monitor on your camera as a view finder to help you get those ultra high or ultra low shots you wouldn't be able to get if you just relied on your camera's eyepiece.
6. Have fun. Enjoy yourself. Relax. Laugh. If your family sees you, the cameraperson/director, having a good time, the more likely they are to relax and join in the video fun with you.
While family members on the "business end" of today's consumer video cameras may not have to deal with blinding lights, we all know how uncomfortable many people are when they know they're being recorded; they feel self-conscious and so come across as stiff, nervous and unnatural on screen. What can you do to set your subjects at ease and ensure a more satisfying result? Here are some tips:
1. Start wide. A standard video technique is to start every scene out with a "master" shot. Simply put, this means first recording the entire scene as a wide shot. If you're taping a party or a dinner, for example, set up your camera so you have a view of the entire room and everyone in it. Then start recording. If the camera is in a secure enough place you can even walk away from it for a couple of minutes so you don't call attention to the fact that you're taping. Set the camera on a bookcase, or on top of a TV, anything that gives you a panoramic view of the room or area. Even a tripod in the corner of the room can work; while people may notice it at first, they'll get used to it and ignore it after a while.
2. Let people be themselves. Walking up to people, sticking a camera in their faces and telling them to act naturally is a sure-fire way to suck the spontaneity out of any shot. If you know your subjects are a bit skittish around cameras, hang back a little bit and use your camera's zoom control to get that closer view instead of thrusting the camera into the middle of things. On the other hand, if your subjects are comfortable around you and your camera, don't be afraid to move in close. You can even engage them in conversation if it suits you.
3. Don't be afraid to direct. While you want to intrude as little as possible on a family scene, there may be times when a little direction is called for. Maybe you have an idea for an opening for your video - let's say you want to show a long line of relatives, arms filled with presents, filing in through the front door. Don't be afraid to tell everyone what you want them to do and enlist their cooperation. Set up your camera, place everyone where you want them to be, tell them what they need to do and where they should go after they do it. Then cross your fingers, press the record button and yell "action!" Remember to have fun and also accept the fact that you're not working with professional actors. Be happy with what you get on one or, at the most, two tries.
4. Look for special moments. In every family gathering there are countless small, precious moments that help tell the story of your family. Maybe it's a grandmother reading to her first grandchild, or a group chatting and cooking in the kitchen, or your cousins hanging holiday lights on the porch. Keep your camera close by. When you see moments like these, don't hesitate to capture them on tape. An added plus is that when people are having fun and are truly engrossed in what they're doing, they're less likely to notice you and your camera (and if they do notice they'll be less likely to care that you're taping). Case in point: Years ago I was hired to shoot a profile of an insurance salesman. He was a wonderful, elderly gentleman. We spent a day with him and his family and, as my crew was packing up, I saw the salesman's granddaughter sit down at the family piano and begin to practice. I quickly asked the salesman to join his granddaughter at the keyboard and hustled my cameraman over to the scene. The result was a lovely moment with grandpa and granddaughter enjoying some private time - totally oblivious to the camera.
5. Vary your shots. Shoot your subjects and action from below, above, straight on, from behind and in profile. Change your focal lengths from shot to shot, moving from close to wide. The more variety you have in the way you frame your shots, the more visually interesting your finished video will be. You can use the flip out monitor on your camera as a view finder to help you get those ultra high or ultra low shots you wouldn't be able to get if you just relied on your camera's eyepiece.
6. Have fun. Enjoy yourself. Relax. Laugh. If your family sees you, the cameraperson/director, having a good time, the more likely they are to relax and join in the video fun with you.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
An Orlando Legacy Experience
Many estate planners are now looking to help their clients pass along legacies of stories as well as money. I met some of these forward-thinking professionals during a recent trip to Orlando, Florida.
The event was the annual symposium held by the SunBridge Network, a unique association of estate planners devoted to helping their clients meet their life and financial goals and create legacies to pass along to their families. Interestingly, they see life stories as being a valuable element of these legacies.
A good friend of mine from my high school days is an attorney specializing in estate planning - and a member of SunBridge. I hadn't spoken to Jeff since high school, but one day last May he ran across the Family Legacy Video Web site, saw my photo and gave me a call. Long story short, on November 11 I found myself in Orlando presenting two breakout sessions to SunBridge associates interested in the subject of video documentaries.
I had a great time sharing my passion for family legacy videos and passing along what I hope was some useful information. It was also gratifying to see how the awareness of the value of using video to preserve family stories is growing.
The event was the annual symposium held by the SunBridge Network, a unique association of estate planners devoted to helping their clients meet their life and financial goals and create legacies to pass along to their families. Interestingly, they see life stories as being a valuable element of these legacies.
A good friend of mine from my high school days is an attorney specializing in estate planning - and a member of SunBridge. I hadn't spoken to Jeff since high school, but one day last May he ran across the Family Legacy Video Web site, saw my photo and gave me a call. Long story short, on November 11 I found myself in Orlando presenting two breakout sessions to SunBridge associates interested in the subject of video documentaries.
I had a great time sharing my passion for family legacy videos and passing along what I hope was some useful information. It was also gratifying to see how the awareness of the value of using video to preserve family stories is growing.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
All tripods are not created equal
Tripods designed for still cameras and those meant for video, while similar, are very different beasts. They both have three legs, of course. They're both designed to provide a steady platform for your camera. But there's a critical difference between the two.
It's in the head of the tripod, the part where you mount your camera. Video tripod heads are called "fluid" heads. They're designed specifically to allow you to pan the camera from side to side and tilt it up and down smoothly while taping. Try these moves using a video camera on a tripod designed for a still camera and you're in for nothing but herky jerky movement.
If you don't want to spring for a video tripod, check first to make sure your still camera tripod will hold the weight of your video camera (video cameras tend to be heavier than still cameras). Then set up your shot, start recording and don't touch the tripod. It's okay to readjust the camera position between shots, just don't do it while you're recording. However, one of the attractions of video is the movement it allows. You'll find that camera moves, especially when taping family photos, add to the quality of your video. So even if you don't think you'll use it often, I encourage you to at least buy an inexpensive video tripod. I just bought a very nice Manfrotto for about $250. But you can find video tripods less expensive than that.
It's in the head of the tripod, the part where you mount your camera. Video tripod heads are called "fluid" heads. They're designed specifically to allow you to pan the camera from side to side and tilt it up and down smoothly while taping. Try these moves using a video camera on a tripod designed for a still camera and you're in for nothing but herky jerky movement.
If you don't want to spring for a video tripod, check first to make sure your still camera tripod will hold the weight of your video camera (video cameras tend to be heavier than still cameras). Then set up your shot, start recording and don't touch the tripod. It's okay to readjust the camera position between shots, just don't do it while you're recording. However, one of the attractions of video is the movement it allows. You'll find that camera moves, especially when taping family photos, add to the quality of your video. So even if you don't think you'll use it often, I encourage you to at least buy an inexpensive video tripod. I just bought a very nice Manfrotto for about $250. But you can find video tripods less expensive than that.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
At the Family Legacy Video Theatre, the show never ends.
Family Legacy Video thinks seeing is believing - that's why we created the Family Legacy Video™ Theatre.
The Family Legacy Video™ Theatre is the online theatre where you can view all the video clips streaming from the Family Legacy Video Web site. The clips you see there will surely inspire you with ideas for your family video, and you'll get to see Steve Pender talk about his passion for family history video in two television appearances. The Family Legacy Video™ Theatre is always open and YOU decide when the show begins. To visit the theatre, click here
The Family Legacy Video™ Theatre is the online theatre where you can view all the video clips streaming from the Family Legacy Video Web site. The clips you see there will surely inspire you with ideas for your family video, and you'll get to see Steve Pender talk about his passion for family history video in two television appearances. The Family Legacy Video™ Theatre is always open and YOU decide when the show begins. To visit the theatre, click here
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Bridge the generation gap with a family history video
Most elder family members are great sources of family stories and family history, but have little interest or experience with video technology. Many younger family members know little family history but are aces when it comes to computers and video. What can bring them together? Try a family history video project.
There I was, at a local Rotary Club, in the middle of a talk about creating family history videos, when one of the older members, a fellow in his mid-seventies, piped up. "This digital stuff seems like a lot of bother to me," he said. "There's tape, there's discs - I really don't know what's what. Technology keeps changing and I can't be bothered transferring from one format to another. I've locked all my family films in a cabinet, along with a projector, and when a family historian wants to watch them, that's where they'll be."
I congratulated him for safely storing his family films and I had to admit he had a point when it came to technology. Rapid advances in computer and video hardware and software have been dizzying and sometimes confusing. BUT, when the choice is between preserving a precious video record of your family stories and history or losing them for all time, I don't think the fear of a little technology should be allowed to get in the way.
So what do you do if you view technology as a hindrance rather than a help?
Look for the nearest teenager or preteen. Grandkids, grandnieces and grandnephews grew up with this computer stuff. To them it's second nature. Why not enlist their help in creating a family history video they'll treasure in years to come (kids being kids, they might not see the value in it now - but when they get older, they will). So butter them up a bit. Play to their pride in their computer and video expertise. And if that doesn't work, have their parents make them help you. Once you get some momentum going, a family history video project is sure to spark their interest and creativity. You may find them getting just as excited about it as you.
Of course, collaborating with a younger family member on a family history video is much more than just a means to an end. It provides a great bonding experience, a chance to share quality time, to laugh and learn together and to create something of which you'll both be proud. You'll end up with a living legacy your family will love and with wonderful new memories that will last a lifetime.
There I was, at a local Rotary Club, in the middle of a talk about creating family history videos, when one of the older members, a fellow in his mid-seventies, piped up. "This digital stuff seems like a lot of bother to me," he said. "There's tape, there's discs - I really don't know what's what. Technology keeps changing and I can't be bothered transferring from one format to another. I've locked all my family films in a cabinet, along with a projector, and when a family historian wants to watch them, that's where they'll be."
I congratulated him for safely storing his family films and I had to admit he had a point when it came to technology. Rapid advances in computer and video hardware and software have been dizzying and sometimes confusing. BUT, when the choice is between preserving a precious video record of your family stories and history or losing them for all time, I don't think the fear of a little technology should be allowed to get in the way.
So what do you do if you view technology as a hindrance rather than a help?
Look for the nearest teenager or preteen. Grandkids, grandnieces and grandnephews grew up with this computer stuff. To them it's second nature. Why not enlist their help in creating a family history video they'll treasure in years to come (kids being kids, they might not see the value in it now - but when they get older, they will). So butter them up a bit. Play to their pride in their computer and video expertise. And if that doesn't work, have their parents make them help you. Once you get some momentum going, a family history video project is sure to spark their interest and creativity. You may find them getting just as excited about it as you.
Of course, collaborating with a younger family member on a family history video is much more than just a means to an end. It provides a great bonding experience, a chance to share quality time, to laugh and learn together and to create something of which you'll both be proud. You'll end up with a living legacy your family will love and with wonderful new memories that will last a lifetime.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Advice from a former hospice nurse: Capture your loved one on video now.
I was on the phone with a sales rep last week. We got to talking about my business and as soon as she heard what Family Legacy Video was all about, she said, "I think what you're doing is wonderful!" Turns out that, prior to her sales career, she was a nurse at a hospice.
She went on to say that she always tried to get families of hospice patients to tape remembrances with their loved ones and that so few families did. She hated to see so many memories and family stories lost. She was very passionate about the subject; I could certainly hear the emotion in her voice.
I can only imagine how emotionally trying having a family member in hospice care can be. But I encourage you, as does the former hospice nurse with whom I spoke, to spend some of those final days or hours capturing your loved ones family stories on video. They'll be a lasting legacy you'll treasure for years to come.
She went on to say that she always tried to get families of hospice patients to tape remembrances with their loved ones and that so few families did. She hated to see so many memories and family stories lost. She was very passionate about the subject; I could certainly hear the emotion in her voice.
I can only imagine how emotionally trying having a family member in hospice care can be. But I encourage you, as does the former hospice nurse with whom I spoke, to spend some of those final days or hours capturing your loved ones family stories on video. They'll be a lasting legacy you'll treasure for years to come.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Ethical Wills on Video
We've seen the scene in movies countless times. Bereaved relatives gather in a lawyer's office. An attorney picks up a sheet of paper and begins to read, "I (insert name here) being of sound mind, do hereby bequeath my estate to..." And so on and so forth. A last will and testament, the document that details how a person disposes of his or her physical property after death, is a pretty common concept. But there's another kind of will gaining popularity, one that focuses on spiritual and moral values as opposed to physical assets. And this will is often passed along before the will's writer passes on.
It's called an ethical will. Ethical wills have actually been around for three thousand years, but they've gained newfound popularity since 9/11. They can take the form of personal letters written to a child, grandchild, niece or nephew, an audio recording or a video. Ethical wills can incorporate anything a person believes is meaningful enough to pass on. The Web site www.ethicalwill.com lists some common themes:
Why create an ethical will? According to
www.ethicalwill.com some of the reasons are:
Video can be a powerful medium for passing along your values to a loved one. The conviction in your words and the passion in your eyes will leave a profound impression on the person for whom you create your video ethical will, as well as the generations that follow. You don't have to do anything fancy from a video standpoint. To ensure a good quality video, just employ some of the basic organization, lighting and sound techniques described in the Family Legacy Video™ Producer's Guide.
An ethical will can be a wonderful gift and a long lasting legacy, made all the more powerful by the use of video.
It's called an ethical will. Ethical wills have actually been around for three thousand years, but they've gained newfound popularity since 9/11. They can take the form of personal letters written to a child, grandchild, niece or nephew, an audio recording or a video. Ethical wills can incorporate anything a person believes is meaningful enough to pass on. The Web site www.ethicalwill.com lists some common themes:
- Important personal values and beliefs
- Important spiritual values
- Hopes and blessings for future generations
- Life's lessons
- Expressions of love
- Forgiving others and asking for forgiveness
Why create an ethical will? According to
www.ethicalwill.com some of the reasons are:
- We all want to be remembered, and we all will leave something behind
- If we don’t tell our stories, no one else will and they will be lost forever
- It helps you identify what you value most and what you stand for
- By articulating what we value now, we can take steps to insure the continuation of those values for future generations
- You learn a lot about yourself in the process of writing an ethical will
- It helps us come to terms with our mortality by creating something of meaning that will live on after we are gone
- It provides a sense of completion in our lives
Video can be a powerful medium for passing along your values to a loved one. The conviction in your words and the passion in your eyes will leave a profound impression on the person for whom you create your video ethical will, as well as the generations that follow. You don't have to do anything fancy from a video standpoint. To ensure a good quality video, just employ some of the basic organization, lighting and sound techniques described in the Family Legacy Video™ Producer's Guide.
An ethical will can be a wonderful gift and a long lasting legacy, made all the more powerful by the use of video.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Memories More Valuable Than Money
A new study finds that, when it comes to family legacies, an overwhelming majority of people believe preserving family stories, histories and values is more important than money.
A recent story by By Andrea Coombes of MarketWatch says that: "When it comes to thinking about inheritances, both boomers and older Americans say money's not everything. Instead, baby boomers say their parents' personal keepsakes, family stories and final instructions are more important than the oft-publicized trillions of dollars they're expected to inherit."
These attitudes were uncovered during a telelphone and online survey conducted for Allianz, the insurance company, by Harris Interactive.
According to the survey, "Seventy-seven percent of boomers said understanding their parents' values is very important, 65% said enacting their parents' last wishes is key and 34% felt receiving their parents' sentimental treasures is very important."
The article goes on to say that when study participants were asked to choose between one type of bequest, either money or values, not one person chose money. The article quotes Ken Dychtwald, a consultant on the study, who said, "We're not saying money isn't important and people don't enjoy receiving some financial windfall, but ... the focus on inheritance is the wrong paradigm. What people have an appetite for is to pass a large part of themselves along to the next generation."
Fascinating stuff. It seems most people realize what Family Legacy Video customers, clients and Cafe visitors know: Your precious family stories are your greatest legacy of all. And preserving those stories on video is the best way to share your family legacy with future generations.
A recent story by By Andrea Coombes of MarketWatch says that: "When it comes to thinking about inheritances, both boomers and older Americans say money's not everything. Instead, baby boomers say their parents' personal keepsakes, family stories and final instructions are more important than the oft-publicized trillions of dollars they're expected to inherit."
These attitudes were uncovered during a telelphone and online survey conducted for Allianz, the insurance company, by Harris Interactive.
According to the survey, "Seventy-seven percent of boomers said understanding their parents' values is very important, 65% said enacting their parents' last wishes is key and 34% felt receiving their parents' sentimental treasures is very important."
The article goes on to say that when study participants were asked to choose between one type of bequest, either money or values, not one person chose money. The article quotes Ken Dychtwald, a consultant on the study, who said, "We're not saying money isn't important and people don't enjoy receiving some financial windfall, but ... the focus on inheritance is the wrong paradigm. What people have an appetite for is to pass a large part of themselves along to the next generation."
Fascinating stuff. It seems most people realize what Family Legacy Video customers, clients and Cafe visitors know: Your precious family stories are your greatest legacy of all. And preserving those stories on video is the best way to share your family legacy with future generations.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
The Timeline of Your Life
I just found a site where you can generate your own personal historical timeline.
If you have a few minutes and want to see how your personal history intersects with world events, head on over to OurTimelines.com. Enter in your name, the date of your birth and the current year, and the site generates a timeline of historical events - and tells you what your age was when these events occurred.
Enjoy!
If you have a few minutes and want to see how your personal history intersects with world events, head on over to OurTimelines.com. Enter in your name, the date of your birth and the current year, and the site generates a timeline of historical events - and tells you what your age was when these events occurred.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Join our September workshops!
It's nice to be back at the cafe. I admit I've been lax in posting, but I have a good excuse. I've been busy finalizing plans for two exciting video biography events in September. I hope you'll join in the fun!
So, what's been keeping you from getting a jump on that family history video project of yours? Not sure where or how to start? Maybe the technology, from cameras to computers, is too intimidating?
Or, maybe you're already a video guru and you've been wondering how to run your own video biography business?
Has Family Legacy Video got the workshops for you!
This September, in Tucson, Arizona, Family Legacy Video offers two unique workshop events:
Create Your Own Video Biography (September 23-25) -
Family Legacy Video's president, Steve Pender, and the dynamic production duo of Dan Crapsi and Ginny Temple usher you through the process of creating your own family legacy video. You'll learn what makes a successful video tick and get hands-on practice composing questions, lighting and taping interviews, shooting family photos, and getting the video onto your computer. You'll also edit that video and walk away with your own, three-minute long "mini" video biography.
The Business of Video Biographies (September 26) - If you're thinking of opening your own video biography business, this one-day workshop is just the ticket. Steve Pender (Steve was recently featured in the Arizona Daily Star and EventDV Magazine) offers tips, advice and insights into the business. You'll learn what you should expect to need and pay when it comes to equipment, insurance, and music. Marketing and promotion also take center stage as Steve shares his promotion strategies and tells you what's worked for him and what hasn't. Graphic designer and marketing expert Dan Blumenthal (Blumenthal Design Group, LLC) will discuss the importance of graphic design in creating an image and brand for your company and how they can add to your bottom line.
Early bird workshop discounts end August 22.
As a special offer to FLV Cafe visitors, Family Legacy Video is offering an early-early bird discount. Register by Wednesday, August 3 and receive an additional early-early bird discount over and above the already low early bird rate. To get the additional discount, register online and enter the coupon code: vidbio. You may also register by phone - call 1.888.662.1294 (toll free).
Whether you sign up for one workshop or for both, come prepared to learn, to have fun and to meet some great people!
Visit the workshop page of the Family Legacy Video Web site for complete details.
So, what's been keeping you from getting a jump on that family history video project of yours? Not sure where or how to start? Maybe the technology, from cameras to computers, is too intimidating?
Or, maybe you're already a video guru and you've been wondering how to run your own video biography business?
Has Family Legacy Video got the workshops for you!
This September, in Tucson, Arizona, Family Legacy Video offers two unique workshop events:
Create Your Own Video Biography (September 23-25) -
Family Legacy Video's president, Steve Pender, and the dynamic production duo of Dan Crapsi and Ginny Temple usher you through the process of creating your own family legacy video. You'll learn what makes a successful video tick and get hands-on practice composing questions, lighting and taping interviews, shooting family photos, and getting the video onto your computer. You'll also edit that video and walk away with your own, three-minute long "mini" video biography.
The Business of Video Biographies (September 26) - If you're thinking of opening your own video biography business, this one-day workshop is just the ticket. Steve Pender (Steve was recently featured in the Arizona Daily Star and EventDV Magazine) offers tips, advice and insights into the business. You'll learn what you should expect to need and pay when it comes to equipment, insurance, and music. Marketing and promotion also take center stage as Steve shares his promotion strategies and tells you what's worked for him and what hasn't. Graphic designer and marketing expert Dan Blumenthal (Blumenthal Design Group, LLC) will discuss the importance of graphic design in creating an image and brand for your company and how they can add to your bottom line.
Early bird workshop discounts end August 22.
As a special offer to FLV Cafe visitors, Family Legacy Video is offering an early-early bird discount. Register by Wednesday, August 3 and receive an additional early-early bird discount over and above the already low early bird rate. To get the additional discount, register online and enter the coupon code: vidbio. You may also register by phone - call 1.888.662.1294 (toll free).
Whether you sign up for one workshop or for both, come prepared to learn, to have fun and to meet some great people!
Visit the workshop page of the Family Legacy Video Web site for complete details.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Leave the editing to Family Legacy Video
I've recently received a number of phone calls and e-mails from potential customers who are already taping, or planning to tape, family video biographies. They've all asked the same thing: Can you edit our video for us?
The short answer: Yes. Here's how it works.
First, we need to consult. I need to know your vision and your goals for your video. I also need to know what I have (or will have) to work with (interviews, stills, films, etc.). Knowing this allows me to give you an estimate of what the editing (or as professionals call it, postproduction) will cost. Keep in mind that the cost can rise if you decide to add or change things once the editing process begins.
Second, you need to provide your materials to Family Legacy Video in as organized a fashion as possible. Ideally, this means having selected the interview segments you'd like to use along with labeled photos or discs with scanned photos that are clearly named, along with notes as to where they go. We'll also need to discuss music and titles. Family Legacy Video uses only music from our extensive music library (which you can screen online, if you wish).
Third, I'll need to know how many copies you'd like, the format (DVD or VHS) of those copies and, if DVD, whether you'd like menus and chapters and a custom cover.
That's it in a nutshell. I highly recommend that you purchase a copy of the Family Legacy Video Producer's Guide on CD-ROM. It clearly steps you through the process of organizing and taping your project and preparing for postproduction. Remember, the more organized you are, the less time Family Legacy Video needs to spend in post - which will keep your cost as low as possible.
The short answer: Yes. Here's how it works.
First, we need to consult. I need to know your vision and your goals for your video. I also need to know what I have (or will have) to work with (interviews, stills, films, etc.). Knowing this allows me to give you an estimate of what the editing (or as professionals call it, postproduction) will cost. Keep in mind that the cost can rise if you decide to add or change things once the editing process begins.
Second, you need to provide your materials to Family Legacy Video in as organized a fashion as possible. Ideally, this means having selected the interview segments you'd like to use along with labeled photos or discs with scanned photos that are clearly named, along with notes as to where they go. We'll also need to discuss music and titles. Family Legacy Video uses only music from our extensive music library (which you can screen online, if you wish).
Third, I'll need to know how many copies you'd like, the format (DVD or VHS) of those copies and, if DVD, whether you'd like menus and chapters and a custom cover.
That's it in a nutshell. I highly recommend that you purchase a copy of the Family Legacy Video Producer's Guide on CD-ROM. It clearly steps you through the process of organizing and taping your project and preparing for postproduction. Remember, the more organized you are, the less time Family Legacy Video needs to spend in post - which will keep your cost as low as possible.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Family Legacy in Poetry
My local paper, the Arizona Daily Star, just picked up a column by Ted Kooser, the Poet Laureate of the United States. The first column carried by the paper featured a wonderful poem by Andrei Guruianu that relates to family history in a very personal way. The poem really resonates with me; I hope you enjoy it.
Grandfather
by Andrei Guruianu
Dead before I came into this world, grandfather,
I carry your name, yet I've never met you.
I hear my name, and know
that somehow they refer to you.
When I scribble those six letters
fast, to sign some document
or print them neatly in a box,
I feel your presence flow with the ink
stain and burn through the paper,
forever imprinted in my mind.
Late summer nights
gathered around the dinner table,
leftovers being cleared away,
faces clouded in cigarette smoke,
I hear voices pass the word
back and forth in reverence.
Somehow I know it's not me
the little one grabbing for attention.
They speak of you, Andrei,
the one I've never met,
whose name I carry.
Grandfather
by Andrei Guruianu
Dead before I came into this world, grandfather,
I carry your name, yet I've never met you.
I hear my name, and know
that somehow they refer to you.
When I scribble those six letters
fast, to sign some document
or print them neatly in a box,
I feel your presence flow with the ink
stain and burn through the paper,
forever imprinted in my mind.
Late summer nights
gathered around the dinner table,
leftovers being cleared away,
faces clouded in cigarette smoke,
I hear voices pass the word
back and forth in reverence.
Somehow I know it's not me
the little one grabbing for attention.
They speak of you, Andrei,
the one I've never met,
whose name I carry.
Saturday, July 09, 2005
A Wonderful Testimonial
Just yesterday I received a most wonderful letter from a Family Legacy Video customer. I really want to share it with you, because it shows what Family Legacy Video is all about - and it reinforces the value of preserving your precious family stories on video.
Here's the text of the letter I received. I've removed the client's last name for privacy reasons:
Dear Steve,
As Tom and I prepare for our second video shoot, I cannot help but reflect on the gift you have given our family. One year ago, my mother passed away. It was a devastating experience. Unknown to me, the funeral home had prepared a short photo montage set to music made up of 40 family pictures taken over the course of my mother’s life. The copy each of us received made all the difference. It helped us begin the process of celebrating her life – even in the midst of loss. I just wished we had captured her story while she was alive. She would have loved to be part of making her family legacy for future generations.
I think you know the next step. That very fall, I heard you speak of your Family Legacy Video program and of workshops you were developing to teach people how to capture their family stories for their children and future generations. Immediately I knew that this was what I had wanted for my family. Your inclusion of real family members telling their own stories combined with still photos (often hidden away in boxes) – and even super 8 motion picture clips – made family stories into a living treasure for everyone concerned. I knew I needed to know how to share this with my family.
Your workshops were wonderful. You not only gave us the hands-on knowledge of how to create a Family Legacy Video, but shared with us your years of experience using film, music, and user-friendly computer programs that make editing possible for even normal people like us. You turned what could have been a daunting technical task into a fun-filled family project. Tom and I now have been collecting archival data and family photos from his family in Boston and mine in Michigan and California. We plan to make two family videos right now, one for each family. I think we might just be ready to give them as gifts for Christmas!
But the real gift has been the focus you have given to both of us. We are so enjoying the experience of planning the videos, gathering the old pictures, talking to people about them, and visiting places we want to include. As I told you, we have even planned a trip to Ireland and France next year to document the places where our families came from. We can’t wait! In the meantime, all of our extended family has gotten involved, sending us photos and sharing memories. It has become a family memory all on its own. And we owe all of these gifts to you. Thank you for helping us make this happen!
With fond memories and gratitude,
Barbara and Tom
Tucson, Arizona
Here's the text of the letter I received. I've removed the client's last name for privacy reasons:
Dear Steve,
As Tom and I prepare for our second video shoot, I cannot help but reflect on the gift you have given our family. One year ago, my mother passed away. It was a devastating experience. Unknown to me, the funeral home had prepared a short photo montage set to music made up of 40 family pictures taken over the course of my mother’s life. The copy each of us received made all the difference. It helped us begin the process of celebrating her life – even in the midst of loss. I just wished we had captured her story while she was alive. She would have loved to be part of making her family legacy for future generations.
I think you know the next step. That very fall, I heard you speak of your Family Legacy Video program and of workshops you were developing to teach people how to capture their family stories for their children and future generations. Immediately I knew that this was what I had wanted for my family. Your inclusion of real family members telling their own stories combined with still photos (often hidden away in boxes) – and even super 8 motion picture clips – made family stories into a living treasure for everyone concerned. I knew I needed to know how to share this with my family.
Your workshops were wonderful. You not only gave us the hands-on knowledge of how to create a Family Legacy Video, but shared with us your years of experience using film, music, and user-friendly computer programs that make editing possible for even normal people like us. You turned what could have been a daunting technical task into a fun-filled family project. Tom and I now have been collecting archival data and family photos from his family in Boston and mine in Michigan and California. We plan to make two family videos right now, one for each family. I think we might just be ready to give them as gifts for Christmas!
But the real gift has been the focus you have given to both of us. We are so enjoying the experience of planning the videos, gathering the old pictures, talking to people about them, and visiting places we want to include. As I told you, we have even planned a trip to Ireland and France next year to document the places where our families came from. We can’t wait! In the meantime, all of our extended family has gotten involved, sending us photos and sharing memories. It has become a family memory all on its own. And we owe all of these gifts to you. Thank you for helping us make this happen!
With fond memories and gratitude,
Barbara and Tom
Tucson, Arizona
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Bring new life to those old family films
At my Rotary meeting the other day, a fellow member turned to me and said, "Steve, I've got lots of home movies from the 40s and 50s. What I can do with them?" The answer: Lots!
If all you want to do is free your old 16mm, 8mm and Super 8mm films from the back closet and make it possible for you to view them again (without having to set up a screen and projector), have them transferred to DVD. You probably have a local company that'll do this for you (check with photo developers or with companies advertising video production services). The great thing about this is you'll be able to pop a DVD into your player and watch your long-ago relatives once again. The downside is that your movies might be transferred in no particular order. You may find yourself jumping decades forward and backward as the reels change. But if all you want to do is preserve your films, this option may be the one for you.
Another option: Use your films to tell stories. Instead of having your footage transferred directly to DVD, get it put on miniDV or Digital 8. These are formats that you'll be able to use in conjunction with a computer that has digital video editing software. Once your films are on tape, review them. Think about the events they chronicle, the stories they bring to mind and the people they feature. Then transfer your films-on-video into your computer. Once you've done this, you're ready to use your films to tell some stories.
There are a number of techniques you can use. You and/or other family members can narrate the films, describing the events and the people as you see them on screen. You can interview family members on videotape and ask them questions about the events and people in the films. Then you can combine the interviews with the films, and with family photos, to create a family documentary. You can also incorporate titles, sound effects and music. Once you're done, you can output the finished program to tape or burn your own DVD.
Be as creative as time and your ambition allow. Whatever you do, please realize that there's no reason to let those old family films continue to collect dust. And if you're not technically or creatively inclined, remember that Family Legacy Video is here to help.
If all you want to do is free your old 16mm, 8mm and Super 8mm films from the back closet and make it possible for you to view them again (without having to set up a screen and projector), have them transferred to DVD. You probably have a local company that'll do this for you (check with photo developers or with companies advertising video production services). The great thing about this is you'll be able to pop a DVD into your player and watch your long-ago relatives once again. The downside is that your movies might be transferred in no particular order. You may find yourself jumping decades forward and backward as the reels change. But if all you want to do is preserve your films, this option may be the one for you.
Another option: Use your films to tell stories. Instead of having your footage transferred directly to DVD, get it put on miniDV or Digital 8. These are formats that you'll be able to use in conjunction with a computer that has digital video editing software. Once your films are on tape, review them. Think about the events they chronicle, the stories they bring to mind and the people they feature. Then transfer your films-on-video into your computer. Once you've done this, you're ready to use your films to tell some stories.
There are a number of techniques you can use. You and/or other family members can narrate the films, describing the events and the people as you see them on screen. You can interview family members on videotape and ask them questions about the events and people in the films. Then you can combine the interviews with the films, and with family photos, to create a family documentary. You can also incorporate titles, sound effects and music. Once you're done, you can output the finished program to tape or burn your own DVD.
Be as creative as time and your ambition allow. Whatever you do, please realize that there's no reason to let those old family films continue to collect dust. And if you're not technically or creatively inclined, remember that Family Legacy Video is here to help.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Family Legacy Video - In The News!
In my post of May 12, 2005, I talked about helping a family uncover long-ago Olympic film footage. Well the story just made the local paper!
Bonnie Henry, a columnist for the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson, loved the story and wrote about it in her June 22 column. If you'd like to read it, here's a link to the online version of the article: http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/allheadlines/80874.php.
Bonnie Henry, a columnist for the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson, loved the story and wrote about it in her June 22 column. If you'd like to read it, here's a link to the online version of the article: http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/allheadlines/80874.php.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Taping Multiple Interviews
Would you like to feature more than one person in your next video biography? Should you videotape them together or separately? Here's my advice.
In the two-people-shot-with-one-camera interviews I've seen, the subjects always look a bit uncomfortable. First, in order to make the shot as tight as possible, they're seated very closely together. Then there's the awkwardness that occurs when one subject is talking and the other subject doesn't know quite where to look or what to do. From the videographer's standpoint, you're forced to keep a two-shot most of the time, which cuts down on visual interest. Then, when you do venture in for a medium close up or close up of the person speaking, quite often the other person chimes in and you either need to pan to try to get him/her on screen or zoom back out to your two-shot.
I think taping each interview separately is a much more elegant solution. It allows you to focus your attention, and the camera, on one person at a time. It also gives you much greater flexibility when editing. You can ask each parent lots of the same questions and then take pieces of their answers and cut back and forth between them. This is especially helpful when you don't have a lot of visuals. I recommend shooting them at "cross angles." In other words, if you taped your mom facing screen left, make sure to shoot your dad facing screen right. This lends to the visual interest. Also, make sure to change the setting a bit between interviews. If you want to tape the interviews in the same room, that's fine - just move the camera after the first interview so that you have a different background for the second interview. Also, change your focal lengths during each interview. I always establish a wide, closer and closest framing with my camera person before an interview begins. Then, while I ask each question, the camera operator makes the shot wider or tighter. This way you have a variety of looks within each interview, which also lends to visual interest. Check out a short clip in the
Family Legacy Video Theatre called "Childhood Memories" to see how two people in one video can work.
In the two-people-shot-with-one-camera interviews I've seen, the subjects always look a bit uncomfortable. First, in order to make the shot as tight as possible, they're seated very closely together. Then there's the awkwardness that occurs when one subject is talking and the other subject doesn't know quite where to look or what to do. From the videographer's standpoint, you're forced to keep a two-shot most of the time, which cuts down on visual interest. Then, when you do venture in for a medium close up or close up of the person speaking, quite often the other person chimes in and you either need to pan to try to get him/her on screen or zoom back out to your two-shot.
I think taping each interview separately is a much more elegant solution. It allows you to focus your attention, and the camera, on one person at a time. It also gives you much greater flexibility when editing. You can ask each parent lots of the same questions and then take pieces of their answers and cut back and forth between them. This is especially helpful when you don't have a lot of visuals. I recommend shooting them at "cross angles." In other words, if you taped your mom facing screen left, make sure to shoot your dad facing screen right. This lends to the visual interest. Also, make sure to change the setting a bit between interviews. If you want to tape the interviews in the same room, that's fine - just move the camera after the first interview so that you have a different background for the second interview. Also, change your focal lengths during each interview. I always establish a wide, closer and closest framing with my camera person before an interview begins. Then, while I ask each question, the camera operator makes the shot wider or tighter. This way you have a variety of looks within each interview, which also lends to visual interest. Check out a short clip in the
Family Legacy Video Theatre called "Childhood Memories" to see how two people in one video can work.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
1939 World's Fair Memories
I just spent several hours editing a video sequence in which a client describes her trip to the 1939 World's Fair in New York. What fun!
She was a recent high school graduate when she and a friend journied from Michigan to the Big Apple for several memorable days in New York City. Fortunately, she created a scrapbook filled with photos and momentos of her World's Fair experience. Using her interview, lots of photos and music and a few visual effects, I was able to create a fun-filled and compelling sequence that brings her experience to life on screen.
I can't wait for my client and her family to see it. I'll be posting the sequence in the Family Legacy Video Theatre in the near future so you can view it as well.
She was a recent high school graduate when she and a friend journied from Michigan to the Big Apple for several memorable days in New York City. Fortunately, she created a scrapbook filled with photos and momentos of her World's Fair experience. Using her interview, lots of photos and music and a few visual effects, I was able to create a fun-filled and compelling sequence that brings her experience to life on screen.
I can't wait for my client and her family to see it. I'll be posting the sequence in the Family Legacy Video Theatre in the near future so you can view it as well.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
What a week!
Sorry I haven't written in a few days. It's been a very busy and exciting week!
I started editing another Family Legacy Video this week. After all the prep work - the interview, collecting and creating visuals and selecting music - it's time for the "rubber to meet the road." Editing video is a very intense and enjoyable creative experience for me and it's pure joy to see my client's story coming together so well. I just know she and her family will treasure the video. After it's done I'll post a clip on the Family Legacy Video Web site: www.familylegacyvideo.com.
Also, I found out that a local columnist is writing a story about the Olympic track footage I obtained for a Family Legacy Video client (see the post from May 12, 2005). The story should be out in about two weeks. I'll let you know when it happens.
Now, back to video editing!
I started editing another Family Legacy Video this week. After all the prep work - the interview, collecting and creating visuals and selecting music - it's time for the "rubber to meet the road." Editing video is a very intense and enjoyable creative experience for me and it's pure joy to see my client's story coming together so well. I just know she and her family will treasure the video. After it's done I'll post a clip on the Family Legacy Video Web site: www.familylegacyvideo.com.
Also, I found out that a local columnist is writing a story about the Olympic track footage I obtained for a Family Legacy Video client (see the post from May 12, 2005). The story should be out in about two weeks. I'll let you know when it happens.
Now, back to video editing!
Monday, June 06, 2005
The Cereus is blooming!
So what's a cereus? And what does it have to do with video biographies?
Actually, I'm referring to a plant called a "night blooming Cereus." It's a droopy, spindly little cactus that exists here in Arizona. What makes it special is that it blooms only once a year, usually sometime between May and July.
It's actually a pretty neat event. A plant that looks like a dead stick suddenly sprouts stalks topped with golf ball-sized buds that eventually open into beautiful white flowers. They last for just one night and morning, then wither away.
The Cereus is so nondescript that my wife and I didn't even know we had two of them in our yard - until we saw some during a trip to the Tucson Botanical Gardens and realized, "Hey, so that's what that strange plant in our yard is!"
Last year was the first time I went on a serious "Cereus watch." When the buds opened, I was ready with a camera to document the event. Just last night our Cereus bloomed again - and my wife and I spent some time admiring the flowers that grace us with their presence just once a year.
So what's this cactus got to do with Family Legacy Video and you? The blooming of the Cereus is a special event. If you blink, you can miss it. It's such a rare event that it inspired me to document it through images I can now share with others. The stories that make up our lives and our family histories are also special and rare and deserve to be preserved on video, both to enjoy now and to pass on to other family members.
And don't wait too long; in the blink of an eye your storytellers and their precious stories can be gone for good. So I urge you to capture your family storytellers while they're in "full bloom." Unlike with the Cereus, you might not get the chance next year.
Actually, I'm referring to a plant called a "night blooming Cereus." It's a droopy, spindly little cactus that exists here in Arizona. What makes it special is that it blooms only once a year, usually sometime between May and July.
It's actually a pretty neat event. A plant that looks like a dead stick suddenly sprouts stalks topped with golf ball-sized buds that eventually open into beautiful white flowers. They last for just one night and morning, then wither away.
The Cereus is so nondescript that my wife and I didn't even know we had two of them in our yard - until we saw some during a trip to the Tucson Botanical Gardens and realized, "Hey, so that's what that strange plant in our yard is!"
Last year was the first time I went on a serious "Cereus watch." When the buds opened, I was ready with a camera to document the event. Just last night our Cereus bloomed again - and my wife and I spent some time admiring the flowers that grace us with their presence just once a year.
So what's this cactus got to do with Family Legacy Video and you? The blooming of the Cereus is a special event. If you blink, you can miss it. It's such a rare event that it inspired me to document it through images I can now share with others. The stories that make up our lives and our family histories are also special and rare and deserve to be preserved on video, both to enjoy now and to pass on to other family members.
And don't wait too long; in the blink of an eye your storytellers and their precious stories can be gone for good. So I urge you to capture your family storytellers while they're in "full bloom." Unlike with the Cereus, you might not get the chance next year.
Saturday, June 04, 2005
New to video editing? Here's how to start.
There's lots of low-cost video editing software available today. But software is just a tool. And before you start concentrating on which tool to buy, you should learn the process first. Believe it or not, you probably already have software that'll help you do this for free.
Windows XP computers come equipped with free editing software called Windows Movie Maker (the software is also available for download). The latest Mac machines are loaded with iMovie. Both of these software packages are designed to work with DV video that you feed into your computer through your FireWire or iLink port. (By the way, FireWire and iLink are just marketing names - they refer to the DV connection on your computer.)
These are basic software packages, so you won't be able to do a whole lot of video and audio layering. But, for free software, each is surprisingly good - certainly good enough to help you learn the basics of video editing.
After you've learned the basics, you may find that your free software meets your needs. In this case, you certainly shouldn't spend money on additional software. If, however, your free software limits you creatively, it's time to go shopping.
Windows XP computers come equipped with free editing software called Windows Movie Maker (the software is also available for download). The latest Mac machines are loaded with iMovie. Both of these software packages are designed to work with DV video that you feed into your computer through your FireWire or iLink port. (By the way, FireWire and iLink are just marketing names - they refer to the DV connection on your computer.)
These are basic software packages, so you won't be able to do a whole lot of video and audio layering. But, for free software, each is surprisingly good - certainly good enough to help you learn the basics of video editing.
After you've learned the basics, you may find that your free software meets your needs. In this case, you certainly shouldn't spend money on additional software. If, however, your free software limits you creatively, it's time to go shopping.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Visiting the Cafe for the first time? Read this.
Welcome! If you're new to the Cafe and to blogs, here's some information that'll help you.
First off, if all you want to do is read the posts, just click on the post titles. You'll find the most recent posts on the main page. You can search for others in the archives.
You'll notice that each post starts off with a short introduction. To read the entire post, click on the "Read more!" icon.
Like to leave a comment? It's simple. You'll notice a link under each post's intro that says "comments." There'll be a number before "comments" that indicates how many comments have been left about a particular post. To add your comment, just click on this link. It'll open up a comment window.
This isn't the only comment link, however. As Yoda said in The Empire Strikes Back, "There is another." After you open a post, you'll see a "Post A Comment" link below the body of the post. Clicking here opens the comment window as well.
You'll see three identification options:
1. If you're already a registered Blogger user, your Blogger ID is displayed. Or, if you want to register with Blogger, you can register at this point.
2. Choose "Other" to leave your name and a link to your Web site along with your post.
3. Choose "Anonymous" to leave a comment without having to leave your name or a link.
Pick one of these options, type your comment, press "Publish Your Comment" and your remarks are added.
Finally, if you'd like to e-mail the post to a friend or family member, click on the envelope icon at the bottom of the post. This will set up an e-mail containing the post. You just enter in the address of the person to whom you want to send the message, along with a short message of your own, and then send.
ONE MORE THING: To visit the Family Legacy Video Web site, just click here, or on the Family Legacy Video link under the "Links" heading on the right side of the home page.
That's it! I hope these tips help make your stay in the Cafe a pleasant one.
First off, if all you want to do is read the posts, just click on the post titles. You'll find the most recent posts on the main page. You can search for others in the archives.
You'll notice that each post starts off with a short introduction. To read the entire post, click on the "Read more!" icon.
Like to leave a comment? It's simple. You'll notice a link under each post's intro that says "comments." There'll be a number before "comments" that indicates how many comments have been left about a particular post. To add your comment, just click on this link. It'll open up a comment window.
This isn't the only comment link, however. As Yoda said in The Empire Strikes Back, "There is another." After you open a post, you'll see a "Post A Comment" link below the body of the post. Clicking here opens the comment window as well.
You'll see three identification options:
1. If you're already a registered Blogger user, your Blogger ID is displayed. Or, if you want to register with Blogger, you can register at this point.
2. Choose "Other" to leave your name and a link to your Web site along with your post.
3. Choose "Anonymous" to leave a comment without having to leave your name or a link.
Pick one of these options, type your comment, press "Publish Your Comment" and your remarks are added.
Finally, if you'd like to e-mail the post to a friend or family member, click on the envelope icon at the bottom of the post. This will set up an e-mail containing the post. You just enter in the address of the person to whom you want to send the message, along with a short message of your own, and then send.
ONE MORE THING: To visit the Family Legacy Video Web site, just click here, or on the Family Legacy Video link under the "Links" heading on the right side of the home page.
That's it! I hope these tips help make your stay in the Cafe a pleasant one.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Memorial Day Musings
World War II veterans are dying at an alarming rate. Do you have a vet in your family? Preserve his or her story on video before it's too late.
I've read that we're losing between 1,000 to 2,000 World War II vets every day. I'm sure Korean War vets aren't too far behind. I think it's a tragedy that so many of them pass on without leaving a record of their experiences - in war and in peace, for their family archives.
The sacrifices made by our veterans are tremendous. Their stories need to be preserved so their families can truly understand and appreciate what their relatives did in defense of freedom.
If you have a vet in your family, I urge you to make a Memorial Day resolution: Don't let another Memorial Day pass without capturing your veteran's life story on video.
I've read that we're losing between 1,000 to 2,000 World War II vets every day. I'm sure Korean War vets aren't too far behind. I think it's a tragedy that so many of them pass on without leaving a record of their experiences - in war and in peace, for their family archives.
The sacrifices made by our veterans are tremendous. Their stories need to be preserved so their families can truly understand and appreciate what their relatives did in defense of freedom.
If you have a vet in your family, I urge you to make a Memorial Day resolution: Don't let another Memorial Day pass without capturing your veteran's life story on video.
Friday, May 27, 2005
A Note About Planning Ahead
Here we are, on the cusp of another Memorial Day weekend, certainly a time to reflect and focus on family history. It's the perfect time to start planning a video biography. Start now, and by the end of the year your production could be ready to present to your family. Imagine what a wonderful and unforgettable gift that will be.
Please leave a comment to let Cafe readers know about your video biography plans and hopes and dreams. You may get some useful feedback and you may inspire someone else to capture his or her family stories on video.
Short commercial: If a video project seems daunting, don't forget that Family Legacy Video stands ready to help - with how-to guides and workshops, or by providing complete video production services.
Please leave a comment to let Cafe readers know about your video biography plans and hopes and dreams. You may get some useful feedback and you may inspire someone else to capture his or her family stories on video.
Short commercial: If a video project seems daunting, don't forget that Family Legacy Video stands ready to help - with how-to guides and workshops, or by providing complete video production services.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
If you can shoot it or scan it, you can use it
Capturing a loved-one's story on video is a fantastic experience. But even the most compelling interview can cause an audience to nod off if all they're seeing is a "talking head" on the screen. A variety of visuals can help make your interview entertaining and take your video biography to a higher level.
What visuals can you incorporate into your family history video? Photos are the most obvious choice, of course, and can lend great visual impact to your family story. But, they are by no means your only option. Family films (transferred to video) can also be used to great effect. Don't forget about letters, journal and diary entries, magazine and newspaper clippings, wedding announcements and invitations, plaques, trophies, medals, etc.
In short, anything visual that supports the story and that can be shot or scanned can be a part of your next Family Legacy Video.
What visuals can you incorporate into your family history video? Photos are the most obvious choice, of course, and can lend great visual impact to your family story. But, they are by no means your only option. Family films (transferred to video) can also be used to great effect. Don't forget about letters, journal and diary entries, magazine and newspaper clippings, wedding announcements and invitations, plaques, trophies, medals, etc.
In short, anything visual that supports the story and that can be shot or scanned can be a part of your next Family Legacy Video.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Second workshop is finished!
Just a short note today to say how excited I am about the first six-session do-it-yourself Family Legacy Video workshop that finished today!
It began in March. We started small, with four extremely motivated students who had very little experience shooting, producing and editing video. In just three short months they organized their productions, shot interviews and learned the basics of editing. It's been great for me to see their progress and the participants are jazzed as well.
We plan to meet later this summer, when their videos are completed, for a screening session. I can't wait! This makes me all the more eager to move on with planning for a weekend workshop in Tucson this autumn.
It began in March. We started small, with four extremely motivated students who had very little experience shooting, producing and editing video. In just three short months they organized their productions, shot interviews and learned the basics of editing. It's been great for me to see their progress and the participants are jazzed as well.
We plan to meet later this summer, when their videos are completed, for a screening session. I can't wait! This makes me all the more eager to move on with planning for a weekend workshop in Tucson this autumn.
Friday, May 20, 2005
It's all about the stories
With each passing day I'm more and more convinced that the practice of preserving family stories is gradually catching fire. What stories do you want to preserve and pass along?
It never fails - after each and every speaking engagement or workshop session, audience members approach me with stories about their families. I enjoy hearing the stories of course, but most of all what I really love is watching the people telling them. They're always excited and proud and actually glowing as they relate the family tales that mean so much to them.
I do think there's a growing awareness of the importance of capturing family stories in some form to pass along to coming generations. And yet a lot of people, the same people who so value their family stories, never do preserve them. Maybe they're inhibited by technology or the time and effort they think it would take or the perceived expense.
What about you? Are there family storytellers and stories you want to save? What are they? What's keeping you from starting your family history video project? I invite you to leave some comments. Perhaps I and other visitors to the Family Legacy Video Cafe can offer the advice and encouragement you need to get started.
It never fails - after each and every speaking engagement or workshop session, audience members approach me with stories about their families. I enjoy hearing the stories of course, but most of all what I really love is watching the people telling them. They're always excited and proud and actually glowing as they relate the family tales that mean so much to them.
I do think there's a growing awareness of the importance of capturing family stories in some form to pass along to coming generations. And yet a lot of people, the same people who so value their family stories, never do preserve them. Maybe they're inhibited by technology or the time and effort they think it would take or the perceived expense.
What about you? Are there family storytellers and stories you want to save? What are they? What's keeping you from starting your family history video project? I invite you to leave some comments. Perhaps I and other visitors to the Family Legacy Video Cafe can offer the advice and encouragement you need to get started.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Summertime: A great time to capture family interviews
Here in Tucson the Saguaros and Palo Verdes are in bloom - a gorgeous site! This means summer is near. It's the time of year when most of us vacation (or go on "holiday"). It's also prime time for family reunions and for reconnecting with family members we see only once every few years, or just once in a blue moon. If you've been wondering when and where you can capture footage and interviews with distant family members, an upcoming reunion or family visit can offer the perfect opportunity. Follow a few simple tips and you'll leave your next family get-together with a smile on your face, a passel of great memories and some video interviews you and your family will cherish for generations.
Tip #1: Plan ahead. Contact the relatives you'd like to interview before the reunion. Make sure they're willing, and brief them on the questions you plan to ask.
Tip #2: Schedule a time for the interview. Figure out a time that will work best for you and your subject - then stick to it. Having a firm appointment helps both you and your storyteller prepare and is a statement of commitment. If your attitude is "we'll get around to it sometime during the reunion," chances are you never will.
Tip #3: Set up away from the crowd. You'll need a quiet place away from the crowd in order to avoid distractions, keep your subject from feeling self-conscious and guarantee sound that's as noise-free as possible. Maybe your hotel room is the best bet, or maybe your host has a room you can use. Be sure you're set up and ready to record when your subject arrives.
Tip #4: Use the same room for all your interviews. If you have multiple interviews scheduled, don't waste time looking for different locations for each of them. Use the same room! You'll only have to set up all your gear once. Then, between interviews, shift your camera and subject positions slightly. Simply shooting into a different corner of the room or changing some of the background objects can give the same room a whole new look on video.
Tip #5: Treat your tapes like gold. Label them. Don't leave them in hot cars. Do whatever it takes (legally, of course) to get them (and yourself) home safe and sound.
Tip #1: Plan ahead. Contact the relatives you'd like to interview before the reunion. Make sure they're willing, and brief them on the questions you plan to ask.
Tip #2: Schedule a time for the interview. Figure out a time that will work best for you and your subject - then stick to it. Having a firm appointment helps both you and your storyteller prepare and is a statement of commitment. If your attitude is "we'll get around to it sometime during the reunion," chances are you never will.
Tip #3: Set up away from the crowd. You'll need a quiet place away from the crowd in order to avoid distractions, keep your subject from feeling self-conscious and guarantee sound that's as noise-free as possible. Maybe your hotel room is the best bet, or maybe your host has a room you can use. Be sure you're set up and ready to record when your subject arrives.
Tip #4: Use the same room for all your interviews. If you have multiple interviews scheduled, don't waste time looking for different locations for each of them. Use the same room! You'll only have to set up all your gear once. Then, between interviews, shift your camera and subject positions slightly. Simply shooting into a different corner of the room or changing some of the background objects can give the same room a whole new look on video.
Tip #5: Treat your tapes like gold. Label them. Don't leave them in hot cars. Do whatever it takes (legally, of course) to get them (and yourself) home safe and sound.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Harold Lloyd, "Safety Last," & my Grandmother
As kids, I bet most of us never thought of our grandparents as ever being children themselves. I know I didn't. Then one day my grandmother Ciurczak told me a story about a childhood indiscretion that revealed her inner child to me.
Seems my maternal grandmother was in the school choir during her high school years in Elizabeth, New Jersey. One day after choir practice, she and a group of her friends decided to go see the latest Harold Lloyd flick, "Safety Last," which was playing at the local theatre.
Unfortunately, my grandmother forgot to let her parents know about her after school plans. She got home later than usual only to find all the doors to her house locked. She was a bit confused at first, and then it dawned on her that her parents had actually locked the doors on purpose - to teach her a lesson! They finally let her back in, of course, but they'd made their point.
The day she first told me this story, I listened intently, drinking in every detail, enjoying the pleasure she took telling it. Her eyes took on a special glow as she relived that long ago incident and experienced those childhood emotions once again. It's significant to me not because it's a grand tale of some great accomplishment but because it's a small story that shines some light on my grandmother's life and helps me to see her as a youngster capable of making silly mistakes.
I wish I'd captured her telling her "Safety Last" story on video. I know my family would treasure it.
Seems my maternal grandmother was in the school choir during her high school years in Elizabeth, New Jersey. One day after choir practice, she and a group of her friends decided to go see the latest Harold Lloyd flick, "Safety Last," which was playing at the local theatre.
Unfortunately, my grandmother forgot to let her parents know about her after school plans. She got home later than usual only to find all the doors to her house locked. She was a bit confused at first, and then it dawned on her that her parents had actually locked the doors on purpose - to teach her a lesson! They finally let her back in, of course, but they'd made their point.
The day she first told me this story, I listened intently, drinking in every detail, enjoying the pleasure she took telling it. Her eyes took on a special glow as she relived that long ago incident and experienced those childhood emotions once again. It's significant to me not because it's a grand tale of some great accomplishment but because it's a small story that shines some light on my grandmother's life and helps me to see her as a youngster capable of making silly mistakes.
I wish I'd captured her telling her "Safety Last" story on video. I know my family would treasure it.
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Racing the clock
I'll always thank my lucky stars that I captured my paternal grandmother and her wonderful stories on video. I wish I'd been able to do it with my other grandparents as well. I really feel a keen sense of loss when I think about all the family stories I'll never hear and especially about the fact that the chance to capture the images and voices of my other grandparents is lost to me forever.
Through the phone calls and e-mails I receive I'm finding that more and more people are realizing how important it is to preserve family legacies on video. That really cheers me. But still, thousands of family members die each day without leaving a video record of their lives behind. And when I hear family members say that a video biography is something they should "get around to" someday I really feel for them. That's because I know most of them will wait until it's too late - and I know the sense of loss they'll feel.
I hope I can inspire more people to "beat the clock" and preserve their stories, or the stories of their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. on video - before it's too late.
Through the phone calls and e-mails I receive I'm finding that more and more people are realizing how important it is to preserve family legacies on video. That really cheers me. But still, thousands of family members die each day without leaving a video record of their lives behind. And when I hear family members say that a video biography is something they should "get around to" someday I really feel for them. That's because I know most of them will wait until it's too late - and I know the sense of loss they'll feel.
I hope I can inspire more people to "beat the clock" and preserve their stories, or the stories of their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. on video - before it's too late.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
An Olympic Family History Moment
Imagine finally seeing your father run in the Olympics - the 1912 Olympics, that is.
Creating video biographies is always fulfilling for me. But occasionally I'm able to provide a special service that really gives me the warm fuzzies. Here's what I'm talking about:
Just before Christmas of 2004 I completed a Family Legacy Video for a wonderful couple, Mary-Lou and Dick, here in Tucson. It turns out that Mary-Lou's dad was a college track star in the 1910s, held the record for the mile for a number of years and placed fourth in the 1500m run in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden.
After I finished the video, Dick asked me if I thought film footage of the race might exist. I told him I'd check around. I contacted a few film archives with no success, then managed to find my way to the Web site of the International Olympic Committee. I submitted a query through the site, and then went on to other things.
After about a month, I received an e-mail from an archivist at the IOC. Believe it or not there was a film clip, thirty seconds long, of the race I was looking for!
Long story short, the IOC sent me the clip. The quality of the film was surprisingly good and gave views of the starting line, the mid point of the race and the finish. I added a title screen and created two versions of the clip, one running at normal speed and one in slow motion, adding a freeze frame of Mary-Lou's father crossing the finish line. Then I put it all on DVD.
A few days ago, Mary-Lou wrote me, saying, "You can't imagine what a thrill it was to see Dad running. That was an amazing thing you did for us but it meant the most to me. Thank you again and again."
I feel great knowing I helped make a very special and unique addition to a family's archive.
Creating video biographies is always fulfilling for me. But occasionally I'm able to provide a special service that really gives me the warm fuzzies. Here's what I'm talking about:
Just before Christmas of 2004 I completed a Family Legacy Video for a wonderful couple, Mary-Lou and Dick, here in Tucson. It turns out that Mary-Lou's dad was a college track star in the 1910s, held the record for the mile for a number of years and placed fourth in the 1500m run in the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden.
After I finished the video, Dick asked me if I thought film footage of the race might exist. I told him I'd check around. I contacted a few film archives with no success, then managed to find my way to the Web site of the International Olympic Committee. I submitted a query through the site, and then went on to other things.
After about a month, I received an e-mail from an archivist at the IOC. Believe it or not there was a film clip, thirty seconds long, of the race I was looking for!
Long story short, the IOC sent me the clip. The quality of the film was surprisingly good and gave views of the starting line, the mid point of the race and the finish. I added a title screen and created two versions of the clip, one running at normal speed and one in slow motion, adding a freeze frame of Mary-Lou's father crossing the finish line. Then I put it all on DVD.
A few days ago, Mary-Lou wrote me, saying, "You can't imagine what a thrill it was to see Dad running. That was an amazing thing you did for us but it meant the most to me. Thank you again and again."
I feel great knowing I helped make a very special and unique addition to a family's archive.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Family Legacy Video: My Passion & Mission
Lord knows she tried, but great-great-grandma just couldn't cook. Take peas, for example. She'd buy peas in the pod, shell 'em - and burn 'em. Then she'd toss out the burnt peas and serve canned ones instead. When great-great-grandpa complained that his peas didn't taste fresh, she'd storm into the kitchen, return with handfuls of empty pea pods and declare, "See! Here are the pods from the fresh peas!" Fooled him every time.
As a young girl at my great-great-grandparents' table, my grandmother witnessed many "burnt peas" episodes. Gram was a party animal who danced the Irish jig into her seventies. She never left a restaurant without stocking up on Sweet'N Low packets and leftover rolls. She was also a living link to my family's past. Her supply of family stories was endless.
One day in 1995 I decided to put my professional video expertise to work preserving my Gram's stories. I sat Gram in front of a video camera, pressed "record" and asked her questions about her life. I combined her interview with family photos, videos and music. The result: my first Family Legacy Video. It became an instant family treasure. I still bask in the warmth of my family's gratitude.
I began Family Legacy Video in 2003 in order to help individuals and families preserve their precious stories on video. Family Legacy Video offers products and services for both do-it-yourselfers and for those who just want to hire someone to create a video legacy for them. With each passing day, I meet more and more people who share my passion about saving family history on video. That's why I created this blog. It's a place where we can all meet and share our ideas, observations and passions for family legacy videos.
I invite you to visit Family Legacy Video. In addition to learning about Family Legacy Video's products and services, you can sign up for a free monthly e-newsletter, get a valuable free article, view video clips and hear Gram tell the burnt peas story. I hope Family Legacy Video can inspire you and help you to preserve your family stories on video.
As a young girl at my great-great-grandparents' table, my grandmother witnessed many "burnt peas" episodes. Gram was a party animal who danced the Irish jig into her seventies. She never left a restaurant without stocking up on Sweet'N Low packets and leftover rolls. She was also a living link to my family's past. Her supply of family stories was endless.
One day in 1995 I decided to put my professional video expertise to work preserving my Gram's stories. I sat Gram in front of a video camera, pressed "record" and asked her questions about her life. I combined her interview with family photos, videos and music. The result: my first Family Legacy Video. It became an instant family treasure. I still bask in the warmth of my family's gratitude.
I began Family Legacy Video in 2003 in order to help individuals and families preserve their precious stories on video. Family Legacy Video offers products and services for both do-it-yourselfers and for those who just want to hire someone to create a video legacy for them. With each passing day, I meet more and more people who share my passion about saving family history on video. That's why I created this blog. It's a place where we can all meet and share our ideas, observations and passions for family legacy videos.
I invite you to visit Family Legacy Video. In addition to learning about Family Legacy Video's products and services, you can sign up for a free monthly e-newsletter, get a valuable free article, view video clips and hear Gram tell the burnt peas story. I hope Family Legacy Video can inspire you and help you to preserve your family stories on video.
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