“It’s not too late. You are not too old. You are right on time — and you are better than you know.” – Marianne Williamson
At the end of each year, I review my list of past clients, storytellers, colleagues, and partners. I like to remember those who have died, think about (and reach out to) some, and use this list to consider how I might best serve others in the coming year.
This year, as I was reviewing the list, I made notes about reasons people had given as to why they had hired me or decided to work on a project. These were the top 10 reasons. It might be time for a conversation with us if any of these speak to where you are right now.
Legacy Planning
The #1 reason people have hired us over the years is because they are intentional about capturing the stories of their lives before it’s too late. These stories may be residing within an aging relative or your own heart and mind. “I want to get this done,” we often hear. Many of these individuals have done estate plans, financial plans, funeral planning, and more. They want to honor the past, but they are quite forward-thinking. They recognize that no one lives forever. These clients have inspired us to tackle a few projects of our own.
Milestone Birthday
Many people want to celebrate a big birthday – 70, 75, 80, or 90 – with something spectacular. We’ve even done one video for an 11-year-old — because all birthdays are milestones. A party isn’t for everyone, and sometimes our films seem like the perfect thing! Sometimes our films are a lovely complement to a party! So many come to us wanting to create something special to honor and mark the importance of lessons learned along life’s journey. Some want a viewing party for the birthday …and some give this as a gift on the birthday. It’s a great gift any way you choose to do it.
Milestone Anniversary
We’ve made a handful of 50th wedding anniversary videos and one for a 75th! We love interviewing couples together. We love telling stories of how people met (from each perspective), how couples started their life together, the lessons they have for enduring romance, and hopes and dreams for the future. Families love to hear these stories, and we’ve had kids and grandkids write to us that they had never heard some of the stories we’d included. After watching her grandparents’ film, one 3rd generation member shared this: “But, grandma and grandpa, I really wanted to hear more of the not-so-sacred stories!”
Loss of a Grandparent, Parent, Friend, Child, Spouse
Life is fragile, and several of our clients have come to us because they miss the voice, stories, and love of someone in their life. They want to tell their story or capture the story of someone else still living. After her parents passed, one woman had us record the stories of two aunts and an uncle as a way of honoring her parents. We’ve also done the stories of widows and widowers who have the opportunity to remember the lives of their beloved and honor their own grief in the telling. These films become treasures to other family members who may also be grieving.
Surprise!
Some of our storytellers receive this as a gift. Many clients tell me that their loved one “has everything” and they want to move away from gifts “that will become clutter later”. They recognize that a legacy film is unique and something of value to both the storyteller and the entire family. Gloria, a storyteller we worked with, told us that this was the best gift she had ever received. We hear you, Gloria….and other storytellers have echoed your words. The recipient is often unprepared to tell their story on film but decides to go for it because of the encouragement of a family member or friend. This leads to yet another surprise: it’s an enjoyable experience!
Life Transitions
Several clients want to capture stories because they are expecting a child, reaching retirement, or planning a move. Some experience their own memories fading over time or see their loved one aging or growing more forgetful. Life transitions are a great time for a legacy film. It’s a wonderful way to remember, reflect, and look forward to new possibilities. For those who have received difficult news concerning your health or the health of a loved one, you won’t find a more skilled and compassionate interviewer for the job. We’ve been at the bedside of those nearing the end of life, journeyed with people in various stages of dementia, and walked closely with family and friends who have received terminal diagnoses. We have done extensive training in reminiscence work with those in depression, grief, and trauma. We understand the challenges of joyful and painful life transitions and the impact on the whole family.
Time Marches On
Time is passing, and younger generations have less and less time to hear personal stories about the impacts of the Great Depression and WWII. Older generations have important stories to teach us about life before television, resilience in the face of hardship, and work ethic. They have a unique historical perspective that can offer valuable insights into modern life. Families approach us because they want their great-grandchildren to know what life was like and the values that shaped them. We’ve had quite a few Millennials hire us to travel to film grandparents. One woman was sorting through a box of old photos and called us to help make meaning of the photo collection. She said, “My kids won’t know the people in these photos like I do, and these photos aren’t as valuable without the stories behind them”.
Aspiring Movie Star
We’ve had a small group of clients that want to tell their own story. It’s not about vanity. It’s about intentional legacy planning. They see this as an opportunity to convey words of blessing and wisdom to important people in their lives. They get the royal treatment with us! We had one gentleman say “I didn’t know I’d be a movie star….but thank you!” Most of our films remain private only to family, but a few of our films have been shown to a wider audience. We look forward to the day when we’ve booked a full theater for a legacy film debut!
“We’ve tried to do this on our own.”
We often get told during our interview sessions that this process is much easier than writing your life story or trying to do a film project on your own. “DIY is more difficult than we expected”, said one daughter when she booked her mother’s legacy film. Another woman told us that her Storyworth® subscription had remained untouched because “it felt like homework” and that this experience fit much more nicely into her lifestyle and interests. We often refer business to memoirists and ghostwriters. And we get referrals from many of these professionals just the same. We love sharing tips and tricks for creative family historians, and we’re here to help you get your project done – whatever that looks like for you. We also understand procrastination and the amount of work that projects like these entail. Perhaps, it’s time to pass the baton to a professional.
To Honor Someone
All of us have someone we admire and respect. A legacy or tribute film is a way to say “thank you”. We’ve captured the stories of matriarchs, patriarchs, bosses, clients, founders, mentors, beloved grandparents, uncles, and aunts. We want to honor your favorite people and what they have meant to you.
Why do you feel drawn to a legacy or tribute film? What’s stirring within you when you think about this work? Who’s name comes to mind when you think of memories and legacy? We’re happy to put you in touch with one of our clients who can speak to the experience of working with us, and we’d, of course, love to tell you more about how you’re ready to go and right on time for a project with us.