Legacy Video Process
[ 1 ] Overview
The stories come from the interviewee, as I incorporate my interviewing skills and create an atmosphere of comfort and ease in front of the camera. I prompt storytellers to relate the details or their history and commentary of a life well lived. Beyond the interview, if you choose it, I edit the stories told into an engaging piece for all to enjoy and cherish for years to come. I take great pride in my work and the detail required to make each Legacy Video a top quality presentation. I truly honor my clients and look forward to working with you or your loved ones. It is always a wonderful experience for all.
[ 2 ] Discovery
The interviewee(s) fill out a questionnaire outlining the life experiences and aspects to be covered while filming. It is roughly twenty questions and is filled out securely online via my website. Hand written-version available upon request.
Additionally, via a shorter online form, family members and friends provide input on specific stories they would like recorded.
An outline of personalized questions are crafted to ask during our filmed interview(s).
[ 3 ] Interview(s)
For individuals, the filmed interview will take approximately 4.5 hours total. For couples, allow an additional 2.5 hours, minimum.
On shoot day, approximately 90-minutes prior to filming is needed to set up the camera, lights and sound. Another 90+minutes for individual interviews, and 3.5+hours for a couple (two individual interviews and one as a couple). It takes about 45-minutes to break down the set.
If an editing option has not been chosen, the production phase is now complete!
[ 4 ] Photos!
Prior to and on the interview day, clients provide photos and or documents to be included in the edited video. This is an important and vital portion of our work together. Clients often submit photos to me digitally before and after our shoot day.
After reviewing the video during the “Review” stage (also referred to as the proofing stage), additional images are usually collected, as indicated by topics covered.
[ 5 ] Review
When choosing an editing package, approximately three to six months is required to edit the documentary, depending on scope.
Client will participate in one proof review cycle.
All adjustments and changes are provided in a single document, returned to me within ten days of the client receiving their legacy video proof for review. The proof is posted for screening via the internet, with privacy controls in place.
~ Deeper Process Details ~
PRE-PRODUCTION CONSULTATION:
I meet the storyteller(s), along with anyone else who would like to be present, for a one hour telephone or in-person consultation at the interview location to discuss the process, what to expect on interview day and beyond, plus answer any questions.
We’ll briefly chat about your story and what photos might work best in the edited video, if an editing option has been chosen.
QUESTIONNAIRES:
The interviewee(s) fill out a personalized questionnaire outlining their life experiences and aspects to be covered while filming the interview. It is roughly twenty questions and may be filled out by hardcopy, or (preferably) online via my website.
Family members (and friends, if desired) give input to specific stories they would like recorded via a separate online form.
From the information gathered through the questionnaires, an outline of personalized questions are crafted to ask during the filmed interview session(s).
The completed questionnaire(s) must be returned to me no less than seven days prior to our filming appointment.
GUIDED INTERVIEW:
The filmed interview appointment will take approximately 4.5 hours total for the individual experience and ~6.5 hours total for the couples experience.
Upon arrival at our scheduled time, I set up the camera, lights, and sound. Then we film as I guide you along in our conversation, covering all the pertinent details needed to complete our project objectives.
When conducting an individual interview, I film the storyteller for 120+minutes. When interviewing a couple, I film each storyteller individually for 75-minutes, and then the couple together for about 45-minutes.
Prior to filming, I provide you with a “Do’s & Don’ts” of what to wear so you will feel confident about looking your best in front of the video camera.
CAMERA, LIGHTING & SOUND:
I usually film with my Panasonic GH4 digital video camera fitted with a portrait lens to give the background that nice soft-focus effect.
I use professional grade LED 3-point lighting set up.
Sound capture is via professional grade Sennheiser wireless microphone with Tascam audio capture device.
I edit all the media using Adobe Creative Cloud products – Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Audition.
FILMING & PHOTOS:
The video is captured in beautiful HD media. Depending on the subject matter of your stories and our project scope, we may also capture b-roll on interview day.
B-roll is footage other than the actual interview that will be overlaid on top of the video, as appropriate, during post-production/editing.
On interview day, I will digitally collect any photographs and/or documents to be included in the edited video, if an editing option has been chosen.
PROFESSIONAL EDITING:
Once our interview day is complete, the media is lightly edited, to tighten it up, with color enhancements applied to ensure your finished video views beautifully.
Additionally, I add chapter markers and screen text, spelling out names and dates of pertinent historical information mentioned during the interview. The turn around time from interview day to delivered media is about four weeks for the Interview Package option.
If an editing package has been chosen to accompany the long format interview(s), I custom edit selected stories. We discuss desired topics before and after the interviews have been captured.
For the Highlight Package and the Documentary Package, I add custom graphics, your historical photos, screen text captions, and royalty free music from my library, as warranted. This process can take anywhere from three to six months total.
Two proof cycles are included with both Documentary editing packages. The proof is reviewed at your convenience via an online private link. All changes are to be supplied back to me in one document within ten days of receiving the private proof link. More editing beyond the two included proof cycles will incur additional fees at my standard hourly rate.
DIGITAL DELIVERY:
The full captured interview media is optimized for web streaming and digitally delivered in .mp4 format via a Dropbox share folder or download link.
A private web page is created on my website for you to share with friends and family at your discretion. This page can be password protected should you request it.
You will have seven days to download and save your finished video(s). Beyond seven days post-delivery, you are wholly responsible for the storage and archive of your video files on your local drives.
ARCHIVING:
Clients are 100% responsible for archiving their media. Please be redundant and save at least TWO copies of your video(s) in different places. Tell at least one friend or relative, and your trust attorney, where your digital media is stored.