
In this lecture we explore the reasons that it is so important that we capture and preserve the stories and experiences of our family members, or even our own stories in order to hand them down and make them accessible to future generations.
In this lecture we look at what makes a Family History Video; what i is, and what is its purpose.
Even though we are well-intentioned, most of us put off recording our stories and experiences. This lecture looks at the reasons, and how to overcome our blocks and objections.
We take a look at deciding who will be the subject of our first Family History Video.
This lecture examines the ways in which we can accomplish the sometimes difficult task of getting our potential video subjects to agree to participate in our Family History Video project.
A discussion of the various elements that can be included in your Family History Video, including topics of discussion.
Learn to interview on camera for family legacy videos with open-ended questions that elicit complete sentences while you stay behind the camera and let the subject talk.
Gather memories for your family history by making notes, inspecting photos and keepsakes, and gently guiding interviews to create a vivid, shareable legacy video.
Organize family memories for a legacy video by cataloging photos with numbers and captions, crop to the edge during scanning at 300 dpi, and back up with clear file naming.
Place an external microphone close to the subject to capture clear, audible voice and reduce room noise. Monitor the audio throughout the shoot and use claps to sync in postproduction.
Apply three-point lighting to your family history video with a key light at 45 degrees, a fill, and a hair light. Use available light and avoid silhouettes from windows.
Learn basic video editing to rearrange video and audio, add transitions and music, adjust brightness and color, apply effects, and export the final file for DVD.
Use music to deepen the emotion and depth of your family legacy videos by selecting the subject’s favorite songs, music from different eras, or ethnic music that fits the moments. Pair music with photos and stories while respecting copyright rules for any commercial use.
Craft a compelling family biography by mastering storytelling through a strong hook, dynamic pacing, and focused edits that move the subject's story forward, then cap with resolution and music.
Render your edited program to a dvd-ready file in the format using a dvd authoring program, then burn it to disc and design an attractive cover for lasting family memories.
Create your family history video to capture stories and memories, honor your roots, and embrace that time is of the essence because your story matters.
Some people are fortunate enough be able to commission beautiful video biographies of family members, to be handed down and cherished for generations. But, the process is long and expensive. Not everyone can afford a video biography done by a professional.
The typical Family Legacy Video is a very expensive investment, running into the thousands of dollars.
The good news is that, even Hopelessly Busy People Can Make a Family Legacy Video in a Few Weekends and For Very Little Cost.
It always breaks my heart when I see families with elders who have wonderful, important stories to tell, but they never get recorded or preserved because the family either can't afford to have it done, or they just don't know what to do.
That's why I decided to develop this course: to show you how to do it yourself, and to do it quickly at very little cost.
I lead you through the process step-by-step. I'll take you from the initial idea, to getting your family member to sit in front of your camera, setting up your video shoot, getting good quality video, sound, and lighting, editing, and finally, turning the project into a polished DVD as a gift for the entire family, both now and for generations to come.
There are many reasons to create a Family Legacy Video:
A Family History Video may be your most important legacy. In this course, you will learn how to make one relatively quickly, and at a small fraction of the cost of hiring a professional.
Contents and Overview
In over 2 hours of content, including 22 lectures, this course covers why Family Legacies are important, how to choose a subject, convincing your subject to tell their story, collecting the photos and memorabilia and organizing it.
This course also covers what equipment you'll need, how to set it up for the video shoot, sound and lighting, and what kind of questions to ask your subject on camera.
You will also learn about editing your video with photos, archival footage, and music, among other important lessons.
Upon completion students will have the knowledge and skills to conceive of a biographical video documentary, featuring an important loved one in the family, set up an effective video recording session, in which the subject tells the stories from their past, including memories, experiences, wisdom and advice for future generations. They will be able to take the raw video, import it into a video editing software program, and turn it into a compelling video biography on DVD for showing the family, and for preserving for 100 years and beyond.