The Craft of Family History Videos: Making Classics Out of Clutter

Jeanne Rawlings
December 2007

» Next Image Previous Image « Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge Click to Enlarge

It's a cozy winter night. Your loved ones gather around for the screening of an end-of-the-year home video you made long ago. It amazes you that they'd rather watch it than the season's latest blockbuster. The phone rings. It's a client, begging you to tape another holiday reunion for the family video collection. You can sum up the secret to your success in two words: listening and planning.

Making a personal history, family tree or year-end video requires that you put on a documentary producer's hat. While the most enthusiastic video producers groan at the thought of scanning through hundreds of hours of new and old historical images, what they forget is that every great documentary producer is a great listener. The key to sorting through that haystack of images lies in asking the right questions of the right people.

First, know whom to ask, and that means know your audience. Is it for your relations or a client, or is it your own personal trip down memory lane? Find the benchmark moments that the viewers want to see. Ask: where did that happen? Who was present? Who may have pictures? Make a list of what you learn, and decide if you'll structure by timeline (chronology) or by subject (person). Now you have the foundations to begin outlining.

If you've identified your subject groupings and you are asking: where do I begin?, change your question to: how long is the show? And since you have already decided on your audience, the screen time is partly determined.

A personal history video can entertain families for up to an hour. Warm, zany or obscure images that capture just the right feeling will never bore them. Outside friends who are watching an anniversary video or a farewell memorial may not be as understanding. A good tip to know is that audiences other than your relatives may lose interest at about 15 minutes. Use this yardstick to help you sort groupings by screen time.

Whether you're working on a short production or the longest, a tip from broadcasters might help: remember TV divides those hours into 13- to 15-minute segments. Keeping this in mind can help you edit internal structure. Make mini-intermission breaks within your movie. You can use nostalgic reflection, humor or themes such as pets, winters or special meals like Thanksgiving. Simple graphics and great music will unify and provide huge amounts of entertainment.

Consider that audiences have been watching movies in some form for most of their lives. They delight in following a lead to see where it goes. Give them various forms of internal framework, and you're well on your way to making a great show that's 20 to 30 minutes long.

Compilation videos can be among the longest to research, but early chatting with family members or clients brings new insights. Old photos and videos may appear at your doorstep. This enthusiasm from others is great fuel for your incentive during the long hours ahead.

While you've already saved frustration by making a list of topics and images to include, how can you save even more time and still not miss creative opportunities? Develop a master photo editor's eye. Keep in mind the obvious fact that a movie is about what's on the screen. Though it's difficult to cull through sentimental resources with an objective eye, take only the best images. You will find your project will strengthen in creative power.

• Digg This!
• del.icio.us
• Technorati
• StumbleUpon
• Reddit