Frequently Asked Questions

What is a legacy video

A Legacy Video is a professionally crafted memoir on film that captures the personal stories, family history, and cherished memories of your loved ones. Through intimate interviews, family photos, and meaningful memorabilia, we create a beautifully edited cinematic keepsake. This modern-day heirloom preserves voices, wisdom, and life experiences, ensuring your family’s story is passed down for generations to come.

My son/grandson can film on his cellphone

While having a family member record your memories may seem ideal, most lack the time, equipment, and expertise to create a high-quality, heirloom-worthy Legacy Video. Crafting a professional Legacy Video requires many, many hours of meticulous editing to ensure a polished and meaningful final product.

What topics do you cover

We cover an extensive span of questions, these will vary depending on the package and duration of interview you chose, but will include some of the following: family history, childhood memories, school days, work and business, relationships, marriage, parenthood, children, significant events, religion, special memories, struggles and triumphs

My parents memory is fading

It's natural for details from our early years to fade over time, but the right questions can bring forgotten memories back to life. That’s why many of our interview questions are designed to transport a person to a specific time and place—for example, “Can you describe the neighbourhood where you grew up?” While the goal isn't just to capture a description, the act of recalling often unlocks deeper memories that might have otherwise remained hidden.

Can I sit in the room with you while you film

Generally we recommend against it. We find people are easily distracted and more reserved when they know a family member is listening. Often people will open up more to a complete stranger than a family member 

What questions do you ask

We have an extensive bank of over a hundred questions we use, most are open ended and can lead the video on a new path with each question. Should you have any specific questions, please forward them to us at least 48 hours prior to shoot day

What equipment do you use

Part of our business is documentary work, often done for Amazon Prime, National Geographic and other network channels. We use commercial spec Sony cameras complimented with professional audio and lighting equipment to deliver high end commercial grade video quality for your treasured memories

Will you or your voice be in the video

No, we remove our voice entirely to create a more intimate and personal viewing experience for families. Using careful editing techniques, we ensure that parents or grandparents appear to be telling their stories directly to the viewer, making the experience feel seamless and authentic.

What should the interviewee wear

This is a personal choice, generally we recommend they wear whatever they feel most comfortable in or in a style they wish to be remembered for 

When we record the story, do I have to memorise and speech and repeat it to the camera

Definitely not, we will ask you all the questions, all you have to do is sit back, relax and share your answers with us

Will I see the questions before shoot day

We don't like to share the questions as people try and memorise them and their responses. This leads to a stressful situation when in front of the camera, and often feels unnatural in the final edit

Where will the video be filmed

We film at a location of your choice, generally in the home of the person being filmed as that's where they'll feel most comfortable

Where will we be able to watch the movie

After editing is complete, we will supply you with a USB stick with the movie on for you to keep. We'll also mail you a private YouTube link that will allow you to share the video with family that may not live in the same city as you. These links are private and can't be searched for, so your privacy is safe 

Can I add music to the video

Yes, however if you want the movie hosted on YouTube with a private link so that family around the world can have access, we would not be able to use commercial music. In this case we have an extensive library of licensed music that will not impact the video on YouTube or any other video hosting platform you chose 

Can I add photos and old film/video to the final edit

Definitely, each package allows for a certain number of photos to be scanned in to add to the story. Should you wish to add old video clips or movie reels, these can be digitised and added for an additional fee

What's it like being on camera, will I be ok

You'll be fine, you'll be speaking to the interviewer and not looking directly at the camera, this is far less intimidating, we'll also ask a number of warm up questions to get you comfortable before we start the main part. Remember, in todays digital age we can retake anything you feel didn't come out the way you wanted

Who conducts the interview

John Martin, our founder will conduct the interview process, supported by a camera person who will monitor the cameras and sound  

How long does it take to finish the edit

Generally three to four weeks before we reach the final edit, depending on the length and complexity of the video