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As of September 2017, we’ve seen a 35% increase in individuals inquiring about a legacy video. Why are more individuals turning to a this platform to share their ancestral stories? Let us answer that and much more.
What is a Legacy Video?
You’ve seen it everywhere; the younger generations are spending more and more time on videos then they are in books. Many of our customers normally order a Legacy Book after we’ve completed their research, but they quickly learning that the younger generations would rather have a recording of the findings then reading through a book.
Don’t be mistaken, legacy books are great for sharing material and showing younger and future generations of your family legacy.
Family legacy books are awesome, BUT they are quickly being switched for a family legacy video.
A legacy video is an instrument of sharing life story’s via video, preserving legacies of individual’s life that had passed along their values and beliefs to their descendants and a breathing legacy on video to enlighten and inspire the present and future generation.
Seeing your ancestors talking on a recording verse just seeing a picture has a completely different impact. If I could only hear my beloved grandmother’s voice just one more time, it would be amazing.
Your family’s records would be a composition of documented memoir by your existing family members allowing them to share their story with everyone else in your family tree. The recording can show interviews with parents, grandparents and even great grandparents.
Would it be great to hear your great grandfather’s life lessons or important events happened in his life or stories about hopes and aspirations or values and belief that he wants to pass to future generations?
The legacy recordings could be our personal histories & mini video biographies.
Why do people create a legacy video?
The main reason for why people make a recording varies from one person to another. Typically, these videos are almost comparable to the life journals that are developed concerning people. All in all, here are some of the common reasons for developing a legacy video;
For commemoration – This is one of the main reason why people make a legacy video. They want to be remembered after they are gone. As long as they make the videos, their memories will remain for the longest time possible with the family and friends.
Preserving the legacy – As the name suggests, these videos help to preserve the legacy left behind by the loved one. Even when the person passes away, their legacy will remain with his/her people.
To ease the grieving process – Visual content tends to have a strong influence on the audience. Usually, the audience will feel a connection with the person in a video as they watch. The audience will also feel the presence of the loved in the video, even when they are gone. For that, these videos will help to ease the grieving process by making it seem like the loved one is still around.
For appreciation – Making a legacy video to a loved one is one way of showing them that their life mattered, regardless of the achievements made. Sometimes it’s all about highlighting the stories of that loved one, just to appreciate them.
To teach/educate the future generation – In other cases, a person might need to make their personal recordings to pass down their ideas and life experiences to the generations to come. This could be a way of giving life teachings to their children, grandchildren, and other generational successors.
All in all, these videos are designed for the future generation after the person is gone. However, keep in mind that others are dedicated to the person, but when they are in their prime years. Whether they are designed to teach the future generation, commemorate the loved one, or recognize their achievement, a legacy video is a great choice for storytelling.
How to make your own Recordings?
If you choose to make your recordings, you’ll need to consider some factors to make the video successful. Here are some things you should consider;
Personal and background research
It is important to understand and review the personal history of the prospect. It will become an advantage to know the accurate stories behind the old film and photos and trinkets they kept and events happened to their lives that can give lessons to the viewer. If you haven’t already, we can complete your genealogy research to gather documents for your legacy video.
Gathering memorabilia
Ensures that all documents, such as piles of photographs, newspaper clippings, greeting cards and holiday letters stuffed into boxes in the closets and under the beds – memorabilia’s collected videos for editing.
The right equipment
First off, you will need to consider the technology needed to deliver your video. This means that the equipment you use must help you record the events accordingly. Therefore, a good quality digital video camera is a priority in this case. Luckily, you can use your smartphone to record the events as you need them. Just ensure that the phone can record high-resolution videos.
An engaging story
Of course, the target audience must find the entire video interesting. One sure way of making that happen is by outlining the story of the loved one and highlight the most appealing parts of their life. You can also use photos in the video.
Asking the right questions
Many people struggle with this process. Not sure what to ask or afraid to ask the wrong questions. Keep in mind that the whole objective of the legacy video is to document the individual themselves. It’s a good idea to keep the questions consistent with everyone. Thus, creating a united in the questions and answer process.
Here are some questions to consider.
Life Events – Childhood:
– Why were you given the first (and middle) name(s) that you have?
– What’s your first, most vivid memory?
– What was the apartment or house like that you grew up in?
Life Events – Adulthood:
– How did you decide what you wanted to do with your life?
– What was your first job?
– How did you meet your spouse?
Identity:
– Are there stories about the origins of your family name?
– Have you ever had any nicknames as a child or as an adult?
– How are you like your mother? Unlike her? How are you like your father? Unlike him?
The Present:
– Do you have any hobbies or special interests? Do you enjoy any particular sports?
– Is the present better or worse than when you were younger?
– What do you do for fun?
Aging:
– If you could go back to any age, which age would it be and why?
– How do you feel now about growing old?
– What were your parents like when they got older?
Life Lessons and Legacies:
– What’s your most cherished family tradition? Why is it important?
– What have you liked best about your life so far? What’s your happiest or proudest moment?
– What do you feel have been the important successes in your life? The frustrations?
Consider recreating events
Sometimes the story is available but there is no supporting material. A plain oral story can get boring. Spice it up with recreations. You will have to get a bit creative and also get family members to cooperate in putting up the acts. You will have to plan for time and other items such as costumes and stage props.
Testimony Compilation
Even if you already have the story of the person with you, you’ll need to make the video as real as possible. That is why you need to conduct some interviews to include in the video. The interviews can be with the loved one, as well as other family members or friends. As you interview other family members or close friends, you can ask them about their favorite memories with the person in question. Also, ask them how the person has impacted the friends or family members’ lives.
Other than interviews, compiling old home videos and photos can help to boost the testimonies of the person.
Edit the video
After collecting all the testimonies as required, it will be time to edit the video to be ready for production/presentation. Here, you will need to have a suitable video software that will help you finalize the video. There are different video editors available for Mac (Mac video editors) and PC users (PC video editors). Some of the top software to try out include CyberLink PowerDirector 15 Ultimate, Apple iMovie, Corel VideoStudio Ultimate X10, or Adobe Premiere Pro CC.
Review and Share
After finalizing the editing process, you should review the video and share the final piece with the relevant people. If you have a family gathering, share it with them, ideally in the midst of the loved one. After the person passes away, you can then make copies for every person in the family, including the friends.
Who is your life story video production for?
In most cases, people make their legacy video for future generations. They will make the videos for the family members, as well as their close friends. The major audiences of the video will be spouses, children, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, workmates, close friends, or neighbors. There is no limitation in who the video is dedicated to.
Why is a legacy video best for storytelling?
Basically, video and film tend to have a possibility to trigger the audience’s senses. They will connect to the audience spiritually, emotionally, physically, as well as aurally. There will be visual and audio content that engages the viewer to the maximum. So when you use legacy videos to tell the loved one’s story, the audience will feel the person’s presence in their midst {even when they are gone}. Also, it helps to bring more reality to the story and make it more imaginable. Above all, the recordings will live in the family and friends’ memories forever because they see and hear the story at the same time.
What packages do we offer for a legacy video?
Choose from one of the offerings below or bring us your ideas. All custom videos are delivered on archival DVDs, Blu-ray discs or on USB flash drives. Your choice!
The following are three packages to give you an idea packages being offered. We can customize each package and provide you with an accurate quote. Simply contact us for a quote.
Legacy Video in Questions and Answers Format
Features a question & answer session with your storyteller, lightly edited to remove long pauses, stumbles and repetitious information.
Package includes:
- Interview, up to 1.5 hours
- Chapter titles & opening music
- Up to 20 photos
- DVD with custom menu & chapters
- Custom-printed DVD
- DVD case with custom-printed insert
- 4 copies of completed program
Contact us for pricing and more information.
Premium Legacy Video
Transforms your interview into a personal documentary by adding your family photos and films*, memorabilia, music, sound effects, titles and graphics, for a program your family will want to watch again and again!
Package Includes:
- 1 interview day. Additional days & interviews can be added at an increased cost
- Interview transcripts on CD
- Chapter titles & music
- Up to 50 photos
- DVD with custom menu & chapters
- Custom-printed DVD
- DVD case with custom-printed insert
- 6 copies of completed program
Contact us for pricing and more information.
Deluxe Legacy Video
The ultimate in personal legacy videos, featuring extensive use of family photos, films*, memorabilia, music, sound effects, titles and graphics – PLUS archival photos and films that really illuminate your story and give your recordings a “big budget” documentary look and feel. In short, we use all the tools of the video storyteller’s art to celebrate your life story in an exciting, entertaining and unforgettable way.
Package Includes:
- 1 interview day. Additional days & interviews can be added at an increased cost
- Interview transcripts on CD
- Custom opening and titles
- Unlimited music selections
- Unlimited photos
- Archival photo research
- DVD with custom menus & chapters
- Custom-printed DVD
- DVD case with custom-printed insert
- 10 copies of completed program
Contact us for pricing and more information.
I have questions where can I get help?
Creating a family legacy video can become a big project and we want to help you. If you have any questions regarding our process, please do reach out to us.
We can customizes your family search for the genealogical research you need, for your time frame, and for your budget. Contact us today to get started.