Why create a video biography? Some reasons for reluctant relatives.

It's too much work. I don't look good on camera. I don't have much to say. I already have lots of photo albums - why should I make a video?

If you've tried to convince a reticent parent or grandparent to sit for a video biography interview, you've probably heard excuses like these. Than again, maybe you're the parent or grandparent offering up the excuses. So why is a video biography an invaluable addition to any family history effort? And how can you overcome resistance to such a project, either from other family members or yourself? Here are some answers to those excuses.

It's too much work. No doubt about it - a video biography requires organization, planning, passion and some technical savvy. But that doesn't mean the project needs to be overwhelming. If your family is creating the video, the key to success is breaking the process down into steps, like those outlined in the Family Legacy Video Producer's Guide. If you're hiring a video biography company to produce the video for you, make sure you find a company that will clearly explain and usher you and your family through each stage of the production - and let you know what role you need to play and what elements you need to provide.

If you're the one pushing for the video, offer your subject lots of support. Tell him or her you'll help sort and organize photos, films and memorabilia. Schedule regular visits or phone calls in order to delve into family history and life stories. Tell him/her that you'll keep all the notes and write the questions; all he/she will have to do is sit down in front of a camera and talk to you. Offer any and all help needed to relieve your subject's burden (or perceived burden).

I don't look good on camera. Let's face it: A lot of people just don't like cameras. But a lot of people do like television. And this is a chance to tell his/her life story on TV. It'll be fun, it'll be exciting, it'll be a chance to see how television programs are made. And, for your subject, it'll be easy. Offer to videotape in your subject's home, or in another location in which he/she is comfortable. Let your subject know that he/she is a revered family figure and you're creating this video for posterity. Of course you'll use professional lighting and sound techniques to make him/her look and sound great.

I don't have much to say. Well, we know this isn't true. Your parents, grandparents (or you, if you're the subject) have lived very full and interesting lives. Let your subjects know how important their stories and recollections are to you and how much they'll be treasured by future generations. If they're worried about freezing up during the interview, reassure them that you'll be there with them and that the experience will be less of an interview than a conversation between the two of you, or between your subject and a caring and interested professional interviewer. In short, they'll be in a very safe environment, surrounded by people who care what they have to say and will do their best to make them comfortable saying it. In the end, your parents or grandparents (or you) will probably be surprised at how much they did have to say.

I already have lots of photo albums - why should I make a video? Photo albums, especially those packed with vintage family photos, are wonderful keepsakes and family history resources. But, photos don't talk. And to enjoy the photos you need to have the album in your hands. Video biographies lend new life to old photos. Combine them with your parents' and grandparents' recollections, add some music and movement, and those vintage photos are given a dramatic new lease on life. And its easy to distribute multiple copies of your video biography on DVD, giving your photos a much greater family audience than they would otherwise have.

Properly produced video biographies can emotionally engage an audience like no other medium, and allow family members for generations to come to share the experience of watching and listening to Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, or you relate precious life stories. If your subjects have already written personal histories in book form, a video biography makes a valuable companion piece.

Finally, video biographies, and the process of making them, are just plain FUN. Isn't that reason enough?

Video biography workshops are coming!

Family Legacy Video's mission is helping folks just like you preserve your stories and family history on video. While you can certainly hire Family Legacy Video to create your video biography, you may be a do-it-yourselfer who'd like to learn how to produce the video yourself. Well, you're in luck. Family Legacy Video is holding two "Create Your Own Video Biography" workshops in the coming months - in Tucson, Arizona - that will teach you hands-on, professional video production tips and techniques!

From May 19-21, and again from August 11-13, a three-day workshop entitled “Create Your Own Video Biography” ushers you through the process of creating your own family history video projects. You'll learn how to draft questions, light, shoot and conduct interviews and edit a video.

Family Legacy Video president Steve Pender will host the workshop. Pender is an award-winning scriptwriter, video editor, director and producer with over 27 years of experience. He is the author of the Family Legacy Video™ Producer’s Guide. Family Legacy Video has been featured in print, TV and on radio. The workshop also features presentations by the award-winning production team of Dan Crapsi and Ginny Temple.

An early bird registration discount is available through April 15 for the May workshop. Final registration deadline is May 10. Complete workshop details are available on the workshop page of the Family Legacy Video Web site, or by calling 520.743.4090 (local) or 888.662.1294 (toll-free).

Don't wait! Register now.

Another opening, another show...

Imagine you're in a theatre, waiting to see the latest hit musical. The house lights dim. Audience chatter ceases. Then, from the orchestra pit, comes the first notes of the overture. During the next few minutes you enjoy a sampling of the musical delights to come. Your excitement builds, your anticipation grows, and, by the time the curtain rises, you're totally focused on the show.

Think of the opening of your family history video as the overture to your program. An effective opening can create a mood, establish a visual style and set the stage for your entire program. Do the job well and you'll rivet your audience's attention to the television screen.

You can have a lot of fun creating your opening. Look at it as an opportunity to let your creativity soar. An opening gives you the opportunity to pull together various elements from throughout your video and combine them in interesting ways. It also gives you the chance to use visuals or interview segments that might not fit in the body of the video.

Here's what I mean. At one point during an interview with my grandmother, I asked her if she ever thought she'd be the head of such a large family. She paused, then asked me if I knew how many family members we had. "No," I answered. She then looked off into space and quietly said, "We have a lot." It was an amusing exchange and offered a wonderful glimpse into Gram's personality - but it just didn't fit anywhere in the main part of the program. So, I put it right up front. The show opens with that brief exchange. Then my grandmother's image freezes, music begins, and we see a series of stills from throughout her life that culminate in the show's title. Music ends, we fade to black, and then fade up on the first segment.

Opening sequences can be simple or complex. The route you take depends on your creativity, editing expertise, available visual and audio resources and, of course, the time you have to devote to it. Here are some (but certainly not all) of the elements you can use:

Music. A great way to establish mood. Try starting your music (just a few notes is usually fine) before showing the first visual. It's a great way to alert your audience that the show (or segment) is beginning.

Text. A quote from a diary or letter can be an effective way to set the stage for what is to come. You can also create a short preamble that sets up your story, a technique George Lucas used in his Star Wars movies.

Interviews. A short "sound bite" from an interview (as described above) can be used to good effect.

Photos. A brief photo montage set to music can clue the audience in to the people and places the program will feature.

Animation. If you are advanced enough using your editing software and a program like Photoshop, you can "cut out" people and elements from photos and move them in and out of frame while layering them against an interesting background like a map, a slow pan of the old family homestead or a series of shots of the subject's country of origin.

Start thinking about your "opening overture" now. It's the key to a truly successful video. Not only will you have a great time creating it, but I'm sure you'll earn "boffo" reviews from your audience.

Think visually when planning your family video

Most humans are visual thinkers. Our thoughts are composed of imagery and pictures. And the right combination of images and sound coming from a TV or movie screen can inspire a wide range of emotions that leave indelible memories behind.

In addition to emotional impact, photos, family films and other memorabilia like newspaper clippings, trophies and medals lend your documentary what video pros call "production value." In short, interesting and well-placed visuals make your video more fun to watch. And you DO want your family to watch. This is just as true for your family history video as for any Hollywood film. That's why, after a Family Legacy Video client lets me know what he or she wants to talk about during an interview, I always ask what visuals are available.

It's certainly great to have that interview with grandma and to be able to watch her tell stories about growing up on the family farm. Couple those stories with photos of her riding the old tractor or milking Bessie, mix in music that evokes the country life, and you add visual and emotional components that serve her story and make it even more memorable.

As you plan your interview, make a list of all the visuals you'd like to have in the video. Ask your interview subject what he or she can provide. Reach out to any other family members who may have resources. Collect those visuals and keep them safe. Don't have anyone mail you one-of-a-kind photos. Have copies made for mailing or, if possible, go to where the photos are and videotape them there.

After the interview is over, you're likely to find there are additional visuals you'd like. Remember to be as creative as possible and not to let a lack of family photos get you down. If you don't have a picture of the farm, ask the tourist board for the state where your grandma's farm was located to send you a picture of the countryside. Or find a vintage map showing the farm location, or a modern map that you can shoot and turn black and white or sepia using your editing software. Then, as the music plays, you can pan across the photo or map to set up the story about life on the farm. The possibilities are endless - and fun.

SEE what I mean?

Telling Family Stories Benefits Children

Telling and preserving family stories is fun and fulfilling. But you may be surprised to learn that sharing family stories and family history can promote and enhance the self-esteem and academic skills of your children and grandchildren.

At least that's what some new research indicates. The research is detailed in a recent Wall Street Journal Online article. Click here to read this intriguing story.

Family Legacy Videos Bring Families Together

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."

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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:

• 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.