The first simple step! Place your order with us and we will start the process rolling by gathering some initial information from you and we will schedule a convenient filming date or dates with you. This will usually be 2 weeks or more ahead - to ensure you have enough time to plan out your story prior to filming.
Before we start filming, there are some preparations to undertake and decisions to make. It may be a good idea to ask a friend or family member to help with this step.
The key question is: What do you want to include in your film?
> What are the areas you want to be sure to cover; the events, incidents and stories you wish to include?
> Which images or video clips do you need to gather together to be included in your film?
To make this as easy as possible we will supply you with some template documents when you place your order.
Family stories from the past.
Grandparents, & Other Close Relatives
Parents & Siblings
Your Story Timeline
Your Story Timeline consists of each of the main stages within your story in chronological order. The example above would suit a life-story that starts with some family history and continues through every major life stage. But the headings for each stage, and number of headings can be changed to adapt to the story we are telling - the main point here is simply to break the story down to make it easier to organise your thoughts. We recommend breaking your story down into at least 4 stages.
The next step is to list the items of content that you want to be sure to include in each step of your story timeline. We suggest you use a single page for each of the stages of your story.
These pages will then be used by our interviewer to prompt you throughout your filmed interview.
Just one sentence to describe each content item is usually sufficient.
As you start listing each of the items you would like to talk about, the individual stories and anecdotes you would like to include, you will find that the first thoughts spawn other thoughts and memories.
This process is almost always enjoyable and fulfilling - figuring out how to tell your family’s story, the life events of a close friend or relative, or re-living your own personal life story.
Timings
If we are producing a feature length film for you and you have around 45 content items listed in total in your preparation notes, then each item (story or anecedote) could take up an average of 2 minutes of your interview. Our interviewer will discuss timings with you to get the right balance and ensure that we spend the time in the best way possible.
We ask you to number each of your pictures and supply a caption or description for it. Your interviewer will discuss how to use any digital video files that wish to incorporate on your filming day.
We suggest you use somewhere between 30 and 50 photographs - this provides a good balance in the final film.
On the agreed date/s we will arrive and arrange the room where filming will take place with lighting and setup our camera and recording equipment. We will then record your interview in five 25-30 minute sessions with a short break between each session. Our interviewer will prompt you/the interviewee throughout based on the information gathered during the project planning stage asking supplementary questions to draw out the story and when clarifications are needed. We will also photograph any pictures which you would like to be included which are not already available as digital images and ensure we have a full list of captions or descriptions for each picture to be included.
We will then edit your Memoirs Film adding background music, an intro, an outro, graphics, titles and your photographs. We can also add relevant video clips if required and assist you with having any old cine-film or video digitised as necessary (additional charges will apply if this is required). We will then supply a pre-approval copy of your film so you can make final checks to ensure there are no errors in the way in which we have assembled your film. The final length of the film will typically be 70-100 minutes in length.
Once you have approved your final film it will be supplied to you on a USB memory stick and can also be made available securely online so you can choose who can see your final film!
Memoirs Film Specialise in Producing High Quality, Life-Story Documentary Films.
Phone / Email - Click Here
Memoirs Film is based in Surrey, UK.
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