Life Story Video Biography Creator I Living Legacy

You've got questions, we've got answers

Can my parents (or grandparents) tell their story together?

Absolutely. We regularly have couples who create a shared Living Legacy video biography.
We help them work out which parts each person will talk about and which elements they will tell together. Many couples find an edited video that is 90 minutes long is about right. Often they choose to include 10-20 photos. But all those details, and more, can be tailored to make sure your parents/grandparents get to tell the story they want to tell. Have a look at the Couple's Package on the Pricing page.

My parents are getting older. Will they be able to manage getting their story recorded?

We are here to help. We'll talk your parents through the process, provide resources to help them prepare, be available if they have questions and then work with them in their place, and at their pace, to get their story recorded. When we record the interview, clients often have the notes they have written on their Living Legacy life story questionnaire close to hand, just to jog their memories. And we are happy to take breaks. Their story is precious, and we are happy to do all we can to make sure it gets preserved for good.

I don't live in the same town as my grandparents. Will you be able to help them prepare to tell their story?

That's exactly what we do. We will make contact with your grandparents and give them their Living Legacy information pack. Included in the pack is the Living Legacy life story questionnaire, which helps them think through the stages of their life and prepare the story they want to tell. We're also available if they have any questions, for instance, wanting guidance on which photos to include. The information pack also has some helpful tips to help them get the most out of the interview recording session.

My Mum has not had a lot of public speaking experience. Does that mean she can't do this?

Not at all. Your Mum will be recording her life story, not making a speech. We provide resources to help your Mum prepare the story she wants to tell. When it comes to recording, she is welcome to keep those notes close by and refer to them as often as she wants. During the recording, we ask questions and the person replies (or if they prefer they can take the floor and just go for it!) and then we edit out our voices and any bloopers. Your Mum can relax about doing her video biography because she is the expert on her life!

How do we choose which photos to include in the video?

There are two simple rules of thumb here: don't leave any big gaps and make sure all the important things are covered. Try to include a sprinkling of photos from throughout your life. And ask yourself, whose photos and which events do I need to make sure are not left out?

I think it's important to get Dad's story recorded, but life is busy. How much of my time will this take?

As much or as little time as you want. If you and your Dad want to work together on preparing for the recording, do that. If that does not suit, that's not a problem. We'll talk your Dad through the process, provide resources to help him prepare, be available if he has questions and then work with him in his place, and at his pace, to get his story recorded.

How long does it take to record a Living Legacy video biography?

On the day, we reckon on 2-3 hours to record one person telling their story for what will become an edited, one hour, Living Legacy video biography. For couples, we allow 3-4 hours, which includes set up time, recording the interview, digitizing photos and packing up. Before the interview, we find people want 2-4 weeks to prepare their story and select their photos. After the interview, it can take 2-4 weeks to professionally edit the recording in to a precious Living Legacy video biography.

What if there are some things my Nana doesn't want to talk about during the interview?

That's all taken care of. Before the recorded interview, we will go through the Living Legacy life story questionnaire with your Nana and see if there are any questions she does not want to be asked. If there are, we don't ask them. It's that simple. And for all the rest of the questions, your Nana will just be giving the answers and telling the stories that she wants to tell.

I'm intrigued by the Living Legacy video biography idea, but will it be worth it?

The best answer to that is what our clients and their families tell us:
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“Every aspect showed scrupulous attention to detail . . . The result is a real treasure for our family to keep and to pass on to our children.”
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“We are very pleased with our video biography . . . We think Living Legacy is a very worthwhile thing for people to become involved with.”
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“Thank you so much for putting it all together . . . Even though I say it myself, it was interesting and I enjoyed watching it.“
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“My daughter in the States is so pleased I did this, because she can now show it to her children”.

How does the cost of a Living Legacy video biography compare with getting someone to write our parents' biography?

Commissioned written biographies will cost anywhere between twice and ten times as much as a Living Legacy video biography. See the Pricing page for our packages and prices.

Why shouldn't I just record Grandad on my phone?

Doing that is better than nothing, for sure. Too many precious stories are lost. But if you want trained and experienced people to help your Grandad prepare to tell his story, record the interview and then edit it into a priceless heirloom, we'd love to hear from you.

What makes you the right people to record my Mum's life story?

Annemarie and Bruce both have history degrees from the University of Otago. It was Annemarie's belief that everyone has a story and that every story matters which got Living Legacy started. And Bruce is an award-winning journalist and photographer.

Won't the technology become outdated, making the Living Legacy recording of my Grandad's life unplayable?

Good question. Old film footage, VHS tapes and DVDs are all different from a Living Legacy video biography in one crucial way – they are not digital files. Digital files can be played on any digital device. We will provide your Grandad's Living Legacy video biography as a digital file on USB memory sticks. Once it is transferred on to a digital device (such as a laptop computer or smart TV) it can be moved or sent to any other digital device - those we have now and those that will come along in the future.

Do I have to pay the whole cost of my parents' Living Legacy video biography upfront?

No. When you commission Living Legacy to record your parents' life story you pay a $400 non-refundable engagement fee. You don't pay the remainder until we have recorded, edited and presented your parents' video biography to you. Payment plans are also possible, by arrangement.

Your greatest gift - their story, saved for good

What is a Living Legacy video biography?

Who is it for?

Grandparent / Parent

You

Special Person

Watch a sample of Living Legacy videos

What people are saying about their Living Legacy video biography

How it works

1. Get in contact

2. Planning your story

3. Lights, camera, action

4. Roll out the red carpet

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