Step One: Preliminary Interview
In the preliminary interview, family members provide a basic overview of the person's life to familiarize us with his or her story. Some people prefer to do this by writing down anecdotes about the person, outstanding character traits, or their favorite memories. This can be conducted over the phone, via email, or in person, but the more family members and friends that are involved, the better!

Step Two: Research
Producing someone's life story takes some time on the part of the family members if they want to get it right! Selecting old photographs and screening old home movies is essential in order to discover the bits and pieces that will make the video come alive. We can even incorporate diary entries, newspaper clippings, and letters. Most families find that this research is actually quite therapeutic and can be a great excuse for family bonding. The end result is an ensemble of personal memorabilia that will help tell the person's life story!

Step Three: Interviews
The actual interviews are the best part! One family told me that even if one of the tapes had been destroyed, the interviewing process made the entire experience worthwhile! For those people who might be camera shy, we make sure that the interviewee is comfortable and relaxed before we begin. Typically, all the interviews are arranged during one filming day. The interview with the principle person can take up to 1 to 2 hours. Spouses and children are typically a half hour or less. Friends and co-workers take twenty minutes. Some families find this is a nice excuse for a family reunion.

Step Four: The Final Stretch
All of the pieces are put together in the editing room. The interviews, photographs, home movies and background music are layed out in chronological order of the person's life. The final product can be anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes long and can be recorded onto DVD. Most importantly, a digital master is made so that all of your photographs and home movies can be preserved for eternity!

There are 4 different elements to a "Visionary Reflection":

1) A Topic - Who is the "Visionary Reflection" going to be about?
2) Personal Interviews - Stories / Script
3) Old Photos - Prints, Negatives, or Slides
4) Old Films - Home Movies - (8mm, (Super) 16mm, VHS, Super 8, Mini DV)

1) A Topic:
Who is the "Visionary Reflection" going to be about?
You might already have an idea in your head,
but if you don’t, here are some ideas of Video Biographies that I have done in the past:
• A Husband
• A Wife
• A Family
• A Family Member
• Two People Becoming One Family
• A loved one who has passed away
• A Business History
• A Church History

2) Personal Interviews:
Stories / Script
The Personal Interview will take place on location to capture the essence of the “interviewee”. Questions will be asked to help keep the interview on the right path .Questions like: What is your full name and were where you born? Then in the editing process, the questions will be edited out. This interview process can take from anywhere between one and two hours a time per interview. Multiple interviews can take place in one setting. That is up to you!

3) Old Photos:
Prints, Negatives, or Slides
Photos are physical documents of history.
Using Old Photos is a wonderful way to show the past during a personal interview of a "Visionary Reflection". You get a chance to “rummage” through all of your old photos and pick out images that depict an outline of your story. Then during the editing process, images will be overlaid the personal interview(s) to help better tell the story.

4) Old Films:
Home Movies - (8mm, (Super) 16mm, VHS, Super 8, Mini DV)
Old home movies are physical documents of history. Using old films is a wonderful way to show the past during a personal interview of a "Visionary Reflection". You get a chance to “rummage” through all of your old films, if your lucky enough to still have them and pick out images that depict an outline of your story. Then during the editing process, these old cuts will be overlaid the personal interview(s) to help better tell the story.