Throughout the entire process I will work to your schedule and guide you carefully and fully through each phase.For video demonstrations about making your DVD Family History Movie go to:
Video Demo
Preproduction
Production
Post Production
1. The Source Material - Your Family Archives
Your DVD family history movie begins with your family archives.
They can consist of 8mm home movies, videos, photos and slides.
They can also consist of documents such as marriage certificates and school report cards. It can also be mementos which can be photographed.
In short - it's anything and everything.
The first task for you is to organize the material and decide what you would like to include. The next job is to identify the people in the photographs, films and videos.
2. The Initial Interview
At your leisure, I will review your archive material and discuss the kind of story you envision telling. It is an opportunity for me to learn the highlights of your family's life.
I will then write it up for you to make sure I've gotten it right.
Another important consideration for inclusion in your story are the people and events that shaped your times.
This could be anything from old movies and TV shows to sports events and major news stories that have stayed with you.
The Kennedy assassination came to mind in making my film.
This element can add the perspective of time and more fully realize the story of your family. It is also an important element for showing your children the world in which you grew up.
Every effort will be made to research and include this material in your DVD family history movie.
Check my
Baby Boomers' Guide
for some interesting historical material which may give you some ideas.
Most important is the music of your family's life. Careful thought should go into the selection of
your favorite and most memorable music
that will be included on the soundtrack.
3. Transferring the Source Material
All source material must be transferred to a digital format.
I have the facilities to transfer photos, slides, VHS videos and DVD's.
Film and some video formats must be transferred by an outside company,
but I will personally supervise the process to maintain quality and protection of your original material.
Every effort will be made to ensure that your original archive material will be returned to you in the condition it was received.
4. The First Cut
Upon conclusion of all digital transfers, I will organize the material chronologically and deliver two DVD's.
One will contain all photographic material.
The other will contain all film and video material uncut. The process will preserve and in some cases enhance your family archives.I will also deliver what is know in the industry as a "1st Cut" or "Rough Assembly". From this we can discuss ideas for visuals, sound and music before we begin the final editing phase.
At this point in production, identification of people and events portrayed will be confirmed.
5. Filmed Interviews (Optional)
If you so chose, we can film interviews for you DVD family history movie.
I will bring out important points of your story driven by questions developed from earlier discussions and the source material. These questions will be supplied in advance so that you will have time to formulate what you want to say and how you want to say it.
And remember, you'll have an experienced director working with you.
There may be a desire for additional photography.
For example, I shot material of a neighborhood as it is now and combined it with a vintage photograph of the same neighborhood. A simple dissolve spanned fifty years. It was very effective. We can discuss such ideas that could enhance your family history movie.
Once all the material is transferred and shot I will personally edit it into the most effective, dramatic presentation possible. As a director it is my job to please the producer (you). That is my ultimate goal and satisfaction.
The final length may vary depending on the material supplied, but a maximum length of 60 minutes is suggested. Your consultation throughout editing is welcome.
If a voice over is desired, it can be added during the final phase of editing. The voice can be yours, a family member or a professional actor (at no extra charge).
I will work closely with you on scripting and recording the commentary.
