We highlight some basic FAQs about our Legacy Film on our website, but here are some other common questions and statements we often hear when speaking about our work:
My loved one is pretty shy (especially when in front of a camera). How will you put them at ease?
From beginning to end, we are committed to ensuring that you and your loved one are as comfortable as possible with the process. Our staff has been trained to communicate clearly and has the utmost respect for our clients. We work with you to pick an interview location that is physically right — temperature, lighting, etc. In advance of the interview, we discuss how we plan to use the camera and the types of questions we’ll be asking. The interviewer checks in periodically & serves as a guide for planned & unexpected breaks, and we always assure anyone we are working with that they can pass or skip over any question.
It’s tough to encourage my loved ones to participate in a Legacy Film because we don’t want them to think that we think their life is over. Should we wait?
A Legacy Film is as much for a 9-year-old as it is for a 90-year-old. There is value to reviewing, sharing, and preserving the stories of our lives at any age. We believe that every life is a story worth sharing, and there is no time like the present.
Do you give the questions in advance? (the most popular question we receive)
Our staff carefully selects the questions as we prepare for the interview; however, this is your project, and we want to be sure and cover the stories and memories that are most important to you. Some of the questions are formed based on information you provide in advance of the interview. These questions can be shared before the interview, though our preference is to conduct an unrehearsed session. This helps the session to feel more natural for both storyteller and listener. We never demand an answer and always follow the lead of the person(s) we are interviewing with regard to the questions. Topics we might cover in a Legacy Film interview include family of origin, memories of childhood, early married life & children (if applicable), work, and thoughts about current events. We respect your role in determining what is included in the final project, and we respect the privacy of the person(s) being interviewed and of your family. We try to be very thoughtful about how the film is put together, and the customer has the last word on the final product.
My loved one has died, and I wish I would have done this before they were gone.
We hear this a lot. And here are some suggestions:
- If the family and friends of the deceased are spread out geographically, invite them to write or share a video story or memory about the deceased. We’ve heard of people using a platform like kudoboard.
- If the family is gathering together for an occasion, use your phone to record others’ stories of the deceased. You can also hire a professional to help with this.
- Honor your loved one by continuing to talk about him or her and sharing your own stories of what that person means to you. We also honor our loved ones by simply talking & listening to another person about anything. When we lose someone we love, it is a good reminder to be more present with the people who remain in our lives.
- Record your own stories, so that others don’t have that same wish about you.
Why do you only guarantee a 30+ minute film after such a long interview session?
Much of our work takes place in the editing room. We organize the footage of our storyteller(s) to tell a cohesive story. As much as we are able, we remove the interviewer’s voice, wandering thoughts, and speech disfluencies or filler words (such as “um” & “ah”). We adjust lighting and sound, so that, much like a television show, the final video is something people enjoy watching. The unpolished, raw footage may always, however, be purchased for an additional fee.
What questions do you have? Send us an email – info@sacredstoriesfilms.com