Capturing a loved one’s life for future generations.
What is this?
I am a professional video producer who works with families to create oral history interviews that capture the lives of loved ones. I learn their story, interview them on camera, and create a 90-minute video about their life that will last for generations.
Who is it for?
Every family has a story, and often, those stories are lost when a loved one passes. Relative Reel is hired by families who are motivated to capture those stories in a beautifully produced video that usually includes three major sections.
- Growing Up
- Family and Relationship
- Career and Interests
How it Works
Lee will be your guide throughout the process. Projects are usually completed in 6-8 weeks. There are a few phases:
- Research – Lee will learn about the subject’s life from them and others. This includes discussions with family and friends, questionnaires, and gathering media.
- Interview(s) – There are usually 2-4 interviews per project. Lee will guide the subject on a tour of their life, prompting them to tell stories and describe events.
- Refinement – Lee will edit the footage and share an early version of the video(s) with the subject and family for edit requests.
- Delivery – The video belongs to the family, including raw footage, outtakes, etc. Lee will deliver the videos on a USB drive and/or secure online link.
Most interviews occur in the home of the subject, with a priority on their comfort. Lee will need to visit the location to set the scene.
How to Get Started
Please email me directly at lee@relativereel.com to start the process. If possible, include the information below:
- General profile of the interview subject (names not required)
- Goal for the project
- Health considerations
- Location
- Timeline
- Budget
Once we’ve connected, I can send over an agreement that outlines a proposed budget, timeline, etc. Once the agreement is signed, Lee will be in touch to start the research phase.
My process is comprehensive because the most powerful interviews are based on preparation. The entire project can take 6-8 weeks.
Before anything is recorded, I will talk to the video subject, family members, and close friends in order to learn about them. I will also request photos, videos, or any artifacts that could be helpful.
I usually interview subjects in their homes or anywhere they are comfortable. Once the interview is complete, I will edit it and share an early version with the subject and family for review and feedback.
Once the process is complete, the video copyright is owned by the family, and they are free to use it as they wish.