Frequently asked questions.

What is a family Legacy Video?

In its simplest form, a legacy video is a personal documentary or interview crafted by family and friends to illuminate the stories and accomplishments of a loved one. They are designed to immortalize the legacy of an individual, capturing the essence of their life in a visual and narrative tribute. Typically commissioned for older adults, these videos serve as a profound testament to a person's journey through life. They become living documents and reminders of who they were and what they loved, ensuring that the subject is remembered for generations to come. Read more here.

What is the difference between a Legacy Video and a Legacy Interview?

In essence, a Legacy Interview is a Legacy Video but a Legacy Video is not necessarily just a Legacy Interview. Let me explain.

A Legacy Video is ANY sort of video that we make about a person. It can take the form of a single interview or be a polished documentary-style film that includes pictures, home movies, new footage or additional commentary from friends and family.

A Legacy Interview is the on-camera interview that is the basis for every kind of Legacy Video. Many of our customers hire us just do record a Legacy Interview. When they do, we lightly edit the video to remove mistakes or pauses. Otherwise, the interview is delivered as it was recorded.

How does the process of making a family Legacy Video work?

After reaching out to us, we like to have an introductory call to learn more about the person being interviewed. This call allows us to create questions custom to their life. We especially like hearing suggestions on anything specific you think needs to be asked.  We appreciate hearing about topics you think we should avoid too.

Legacy Videos are shot on site, so we come to you. Typically, it is the subject’s home or a relative’s house. Because our Legacy Interviews look so good, our standard equipment package includes professional lighting and gear you might find on a Hollywood set. If we are shooting in a smaller space, we like to know in advance so we can pair down the amount of equipment we bring.

We allocate 60 to 90 minutes for the interview and may stop at times to give the subject a break. The interview usually starts with family history and childhood memories. Towards the end, we get into more emotional and impactful questions.

After the interview, we break down our equipment and reset the room.

Then we bring the footage into our editing software to edit out mistakes, awkward moments, pauses, or to add photos and home movies.

Once the project is completed, the final Legacy Interview is uploaded to our Vimeo page where it is hosted for at least a year. The client is then given a private link that they can share with friends and family. Clients are also encouraged to download the video to archive it forever and make it available for future generations to enjoy.

We do not make the video viewable to the public on our website, Vimeo, or YouTube page.

Read about the full process here.

How much does a Legacy Video cost?

Legacy videos can cost anywhere from $300 for a zoom interview to well over $10,000 for a polished long format documentary. Our most popular package is an on-location legacy interview which can be done for as little as $550 as part of our group rates. Read more about what goes into pricing here.

Do you have any group rates for family Legacy Videos?

Yes, we have a group rate for five or more legacy interviews shot in the same location on the same day. Perfect for extended families and friends, every subject is assigned a time slot for their legacy interview. Read more about group rates here.

Do you have gift certificates so I can make it a gift for my grandparents?

Family Legacy Videos make great gifts for grandparents and parents. The gift of legacy and remembrance makes a perfect gift for any grandfather or grandmother. Contact us to prearrange their family legacy video. They make great gifts for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, and Hanuka.

Can’t I just do this myself?

Everyone has a smart phone these days with a pretty good camera on it so in theory everyone has the basic tools to make a Legacy Video. However, the results might not always be the best reflection of your loved one. At Legacy Video Stories, we use professional production equipment and lighting to make sure your loved one looks their best. We also have years of training in conducting interviews and can lead even the most difficult interview subjects through the process of telling their story. We also have professional editing software to make sure the story is shaped in a memorable way. If you want to take on the production yourself, visit our blog for tips and tricks on the do-it-yourself approach.

My father has memory issues. Can he still do a Legacy Video?

Yes, absolutely. It is only natural to forget things as we get older and these interviews often trigger old memories. Many of the questions we ask are open ended and are aimed at just getting the subject to start talking about themselves. Even for people who have been recently diagnosed with memory issues like dementia or early-onset Alzheimer's can benefit from sitting down to do an interview before their condition worsens.

What kinds of questions do you ask during a Legacy Interview?

We have a standard set of around 50 questions that we start with and we then customize them after learning a bit about you or your loved one. we also ask the family to contribute questions as they see fit that are hyper tailored to their loved one. Typically, we ask a mix of “historical questions” (facts about the person’s life and family background) and “emotive questions” that get the subject thinking about their life’s journey. We do try to start the interview with simple questions that are easier to answer before getting into the most thought provoking ones. You can read a sample of these questions here.

Do you do genealogy research?

Although we love genealogy and are big fans of Ancestry.Com and other online tools, our expertise is video production. We leave genealogy to the experts.

What kind of equipment do you use?

We use professional grade equipment that big advertising agencies and Hollywood productions often use. It includes professional grade cameras, lenses, lighting, microphones, and other gear that help make the interview look and sound as best as it can.

What should I wear for a Legacy Interview?

Wear something comfortable that reflects your personality. If you are used to wearing a flannel shirt everyday, don’t dress up in a suit just for your interview– unless you want to. In general, bright colors look best. Stay away from black, dark grays, and whites (which tend to reflect too much light). Also beware not to wear clothing with tight patterns which might not look good on camera. Also avoid bracelets and jewelry that might make rattling noise if you move around during your interview.

I’m only 60, am I old enough to do a Legacy Interview?

Yes. It is never too early to do a Legacy Video but it can be too late. So, my rule of thumb is that it is never too early to shoot a legacy video. Why wait until you are suffering from the ravages of old age? The perfect time to create a video is when you are vibrant and full of life. You want your mind to be sharp. You want the memories you share to be clear. You want to be energetic and to look good. Ideally, the video should be an upbeat discussion of your life which is easier to pull off at a younger age. So, don’t wait. Tomorrow is never guaranteed. Read More.

What if I say something I shouldn’t have during my Legacy Interview?

We all might have a slip of the tongue and say something you regret or that might be inappropriate. It is not necessarily a bad thing. It means you are being authentic and are comfortable with how the conversation is going. If anything needs to be removed from the final video, we can do that during the editing phase.

Can I conduct the Legacy Interview myself?

You are more than welcome to conduct the interview with your loved one yourself. we often have grandchildren interviewing their grandparents or adult children interviewing their parents. These moments can turn into special memories and bonding experiences and often the family member is in a great position to offer their own anecdotes or follow up questions. Although the questions of the interviewer can be heard, they are typically off camera. So if you both want to be on-camera, let us know and we will price out a custom package that includes an extra camera or two.

My parents are shy and don’t want to do this. How can I convince them to do a family Legacy Interview?

Your family member might be a bit of an introvert and might not want to spend and hour or two talking about themselves. In this case, gently remind them that this is really a gift for you and your whole family. Remind, them that you want to hear all of their stories so your family’s younger generations will know them too. We wrote a couple of blog posts about this topic if you want to read more.