How to Conduct a Legacy Interview
A lot goes into making a legacy video.
What goes into making a Family Legacy Video
Interested in crafting a Legacy Video for your parent or grandparent? Documenting these precious family memories can ensure that their stories endure for future generations, but making a high-quality Legacy Video requires more than just a smart phone.
As a producer who has been making professional videos for decades, here’s some advice on how to create a compelling Legacy Video.
Video Camera
Find a suitable consumer video camera that will give you both good image quality and sound quality. BH Photo is a great resource with excellent customer service. They will take the time to answer all your questions about the camera you are considering.
Whichever camera you choose, make sure it has good auto features but also understand how to use the manual features of your camera in order to get the best look for your video. A large flip out LCD screen will help you determine what your shot looks like while making it easier to ensure your subject is always in focus. If you choose to shoot in 4K (a resolution four times the quality of 1080 High Definition) be prepared to spend money on larger media cards that can handle more data. Also, make sure the camera has an input for an external microphone to capture crisp sound. Your interview might last 1-2 hours so make sure your battery will last that long or be sure to plug your camera into an external power supply so it won’t shut down in the middle of your interview.
Audio Gear
Consider investing in a microphone to isolate the voice of your parent or grandparent from background noise. This could be a microphone that clips onto your subject’s clothing (a lavaliere) or it could be shotgun microphone that captures sound from a greater distance. If interviewing two subjects at once (like both of your grandparents together), it is best to mic them separately. For this, it is best to use a camera with two microphone inputs. Don’t forget good quality headphones to make sure your audio sounds great.
Lighting
Control lighting by filming in a room where natural light can be managed or invest in professional lighting equipment. On an overcast day, daylight coming in from a window behind the camera might look great as your main lighting source. On a bright day where the sun is coming in and out of the clouds, the same strategy won’t work. If possible, it is usually best to draw the shades and block the incoming sunlight altogether, while lighting your subject with mobile lights. Lighting interviews is an art form so do your research and find a step-by-step guide.
Location
Ensure a distraction-free environment and be mindful of the background. Bright lights in back of your subject, like a window, will wreak havoc on your shot if your camera is set to automatic. Opt for a quite setting where you can capture clean audio and control the lighting. And make sure it is comfortable for your subject.
Interviewee
Get your subject to relax. Often, people often get nervous when on camera and if they don’t naturally like to talk about themselves then they can shut down. Start with easy questions and try to make the interview conversational. Remind them to sit up straight and encourage them to forget the cameras exist.
Interviewing style
Maintain control of the interview by adhering to a list of topics and gently guiding the conversation. Prepare a list of questions to delve into your parent's or grandparent's life story and family history, but don’t be afraid to deviate from them. Listen to the answers and ask insightful follow up questions. Make it a conversation, not an interrogation. Also, encourage slight pauses before your subject answers to prevent overlapping dialogue. This will make editing much easier.
Editing
After recording, the editing process begins which could take a considerable amount of time depending on what you want your final video to look like and include.
Choose editing software based on your needs and expertise level. Some consumer level software can be found online for free but for more polished videos, you might need a more professional software package. Professional editing software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro have lots of features but take a long time to master. Consumer applications like iMovie are faster to learn but won’t do as much.
If you have the time and the ability, consider enhancing the video with family photos, titles, music, and other elements to create a personalized legacy video.
If this all sound like a lot, then reach out and schedule a free consultation with Legacy Video Stories. Either way, don’t wait too long. Capture these family stories while you can. You will never regret it.
