This is not a Hollywood production. There are no fancy lights, big cameras, or a crew handling equipment. It's just you and me having a conversation (and a small camera happens to be in the room).
I've made this a personal journey. This is such special work to do, there is just no other way to present it.
The storytelling module is easy - we come to you anywhere you like and videotape you reading or talking, edit the DVD, and give you a copy to send off wherever you want, or we can follow your instructions.
The say it now module is a little more complicated, as we talk first about the issue and how to go about having the most impact and how it will be received. We then start taping and editing for comfort and ease. We will follow your instructions as to what to do with the DVD.
For a life history, usually a family member will call asking about the process, the cost, and how to go about asking for information from the subject. We have an in-depth discussion so I can discover what your purpose is in documenting your family member's life experiences. Is there something you want to find out without having to ask it yourself? Is there a thread they can give you to go do some investigating on your own?
It helps to have someone who does not have the "family filter" asking the questions and following up for clarification.
Once we get an understanding of what we want out of this, I design a plan up front that I think will work given what you've told me. It never fails, though - once we get into it in the interview, things change, and we wing it. My counseling background allows me to follow threads that may not seem important in the beginning, but opens doors once they become comfortable.
At the very minimum, you have the DVD with the interview. The interview can last as long as it takes. Sometimes people get tired and want you to come back another time - and that's OK. If you would like the DVD enhanced with music or subtitles, that can certainly be done, and there are several other ways to enhance the project that can be customized.
If there are pictures that need to be organized, we have a professional scrapbooker standing by to make order out of chaos. We have a professional photographer to take formal portraits or photograph possessions discussed in the interview. We can write some of the stories out in a novella form, and even talk about writing and publishing an autobiography!
I have even done some genograms to get family lineage straight once and for all!
In other words, whatever happens in this process...happens! Every one is different, and every one is pure pleasure.
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