Legacy. Dynasty. Family. Help your parents create a lasting legacy to pass on to your children…their children…and their children. What’s your parent’s métier? Are they a writer? A singer? An artist? A needlepointer? A woodworker? A metalsmith? A scrapbooker? In this space, we’ll explore different ways of leveraging your parent’s talent and passion with their life story, creating a one-of-a-kind personal history the entire family can treasure.

We’d love to see samples of how your family has captured its history and special moments to share with future generations.

Video History
No one tells a story like the original storyteller. Capture your parent on video as they share favorite anecdotes, family stories, historical moments, and memories of special celebrations. Here’s what you’ll need:

The Set-Up
• An on- or off-camera interviewer
• Comfortable chair for the interviewee
• Backdrop or neutral setting in the home
• Have a table off-camera with bottled water, cough drops and Kleenex
• Cue cards to open/close each segment
• Good lighting
• List of interview questions
• Any props or pictures to illustrate the story
• Video camera
• Appropriate background music to set the stage

The Interview
Block out a pre-determined period of time and make an appointment so everyone shows up where and when they’re supposed to be there.
Do a trial run or two to work out the kinks, especially the location logistics. You’ll find all kinds of odd things about background noise or visual distractions you weren’t aware of before.
Start out the interview with general chit-chat while you get the camera set up to put your relative at ease and get them in a talkative mood.
If you have someone operating the camera [versus the camera mounted to a static tripod], it is their job to pan back and forth between the people and to pan in and out for close-ups or long shots.
This is fun! Keep it light. Establish a positive, upbeat atmosphere. Don’t make it a death march. Shorter is better. Think 30 minutes tops per session.
Come up with an organizational framework before shooting begins and explain it to everyone. For example, you might choose to talk about their life chronologically. Or, you might  take a “seven degrees” approach and talk about one person per session and the elder’s relationship with them. Or, you could talk about critical moments in their life and build the inter views around those. Or, you could take subjects like family traditions, religion, coming to America, the move to [city], college, meeting Mom/Dad, first job, first child, and build the interviews that way. Everyone needs to understand how this comes together as a finished product.