Give the Gift
of a
PERSONAL
HISTORY
VIDEO!
Hi, I'm Craig! I will help you capture the memories and experiences of a loved one, then create a priceless, professional film that will preserve those stories for generations!
Click the video above to learn more!
WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO YOU TO:
- Have your loved one preserved on video?
- Be able to hear their stories with their own voice and personality?
- Pass on family stories of love and strength to future generations?
- Share in the emotion of precious memories?
Do not wait to preserve your family's story!
A personal history video is the perfect tool for preserving memories, sharing life experiences, and connecting with future generations!
Your Personal History Video will help you:
Preserve Stories
A personal history video captures stories, experiences, and memories of a loved one in a tangible and enduring format. Not only does it preserve their stories, but also their personality, voice, and appearance! What better way to help connect your family accross generations?!
Connect & Bond
A personal history video creates a deeper connection with family and loved ones by preserving the voice, personality, and appearance of the storyteller! It provides an opportunity for family members to learn about their heritage, values, ancestry, and shared experiences, strengthening familial ties and fostering a sense of belonging.
Provide Comfort & Healing
Creating a personal history video can be a cathartic and healing experience for both you and your loved ones, particularly during times of loss or grief. It allows individuals to reflect on their life, express their feelings, and leave behind meaningful stories and experiences that bring comfort, closure, and peace to themselves and their families.
Testimonials
Bobbe & Blaine
"We were trying to come up with a unique Christmas gift to give to our children and grandchildren. Working with Craig provided us a wonderful opportunity to create a personalized history of each of our lives and to share some of our thoughts and testimonies to our posterity.
[Craig] put so much time and work into this project. These films are worth more to us than any amount of money. They came out better than we could ever imagine.
We whole-heartily recommend that anyone who may have an interest in putting together a living legacy film for their posterity/friends that Craig is a wonderful resource. He put us at ease from the start and made every possible effort to make our stories available to those we love!"
Debi
"Oram Films is amazing! Craig Oram is a real professional and we couldn't be more pleased with the [personal history videos] he produced for us!
Craig did a superb job of preparing us for our recording day, outlining clearly what would take place. He gave us questions, options and ideas to think about and really listened to our vision of what we wanted our film to include.
On filming day, Craig quickly set us at ease with his interviewing expertise and easy conversation. The whole experience became so comfortable and enjoyable that we almost forgot that the camera was rolling. He then engaged us in many editing decisions allowing our finished product to far exceed our expectations!
We are so glad that we did not put off this project until we are "old" and are very grateful to Craig at Oram Films for helping us to preserve our memories and legacy for future generations."
Steve
"I definitely think this is something everyone should consider!
It was really good to remember past experiences that I hadn't really shared with others. This gave me a time to share some of the things that I kind of held back.
The [personal history] film helped me to understand myself better as well as gave a chance for my children and grandchildren to get to know me better."
Your Personal History Video can include:
- Personal Interviews
- Life Events
- Family History
- Hobbies & Interests
- Personal Photographs & Video
- Values & Beliefs
- Words of Wisdom
- Personal Mementos
- Favorite Memories
- Achievements & Accomplishments
The Process:
1. Connect
The process starts with a free consultation to discuss your vision and goals for the video and to answer your initial questions.
We will also meet with you to provide a guide and template that will walk you through the steps to prepare your loved one for the video interview. We make this part as easy as possible!
Preparation includes reviewing photos, journals, family records, and creating a simple outline for your video.
2. Capture
Lights, camera, action!
We come to you or a location of your choosing to record your story in an interview format.
Recording of your story takes place over one day to minimize impact on you and your family. The film crew is limited to Craig (that's me!) and occationaly an assistant (my daughter, Sophie).
3. Create
Footage from the interview and any media you have provided are edited into your personal history video!
The editing process takes time. You will receive a draft and have the opportunity to propose changes before the final version is produced and delivered for you and your loved ones to enjoy.
Your Legacy Film will be delivered as a digital download and will be available to stream online.
FAQs
A personal history video (also known as a legacy film or heritage film) is a professionally crafted video production that captures stories as told by your loved one or yourself! It is the perfect way to pass down precious memories, values, and experiences. Personal history videos are priceless gifts that will be loved by family and those close to you for generations.
- Preserve Your Story: Creating a personal history video allows you to preserve your loved one’s memories and experiences in a meaningful and enduring format. It provides an opportunity to pass down values, wisdom, and memories to your family, ensuring that your loved one’s legacy lives on for years to come!
- Provide Comfort: A personal history video can be in incredible comfort to your family after your loved ones have passed. Seeing the face of a parent or grandparent that we have lost, then hearing your stories in their voice can provide your family a sense of closeness that just can’t be felt any other way.
- Share Wisdom and Advice: A personal history video can include valuable insights, life lessons, and advice that you want to have passed down to future generations. Hearing words of wisdom can provide guidance and reassurance to your family members as they navigate the challenges of life.
- Celebrating Life: A well-crafted personal history video celebrates the life and accomplishments of your loved one, highlighting the positive impact they have had on the lives of others. It serves as a reminder of your loved one’s legacy, inspiring your family to carry on their values and traditions.
- Connecting Generations: A personal history video bridges generational gaps by preserving family history and stories for future generations to enjoy. It fosters a sense of connection and continuity, helping younger family members feel a deeper bond with their ancestors.
The personal history process is broken out into 3 phases:
- Connect – The process starts with a free consultation to discuss your vision and goals for the video and to answer your initial questions. We will discuss who the subject of the video will be, and any special accommodations we can make. We will also meet with you to provide a guide and template that will walk you through the steps to prepare for your video interview. We make this part as easy as possible! Preparation includes reviewing photos, journals, family records, and creating a simple outline for your video.
- Capture – Lights, camera, action! We come to you or a location of your choosing to record the video in an interview format. Recording takes place over one day, usually 4-5 hours, to minimize impact on you and your family. The film crew is limited to Craig (that’s me!) and possibly one assistant (my daughter, Sophie).
- Create – Footage from the interview and any media you have provided are reviewed and crafted into your personal history video! The editing process takes time. You will receive a draft and have the opportunity to propose changes before the final version is produced and delivered for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Your video will be delivered as a digital download and will be available online to stream.
Pricing varies depending on the scope and complexity of the project. Visit our Services page for more information, and book a free consultation call to determine the cost of your project.
The timeline for creating a your video can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the story, the amount of footage and materials involved, and our current production schedule. We’ll provide you with an estimated timeline during the initial consultation phase.
While creating a Legacy Film on your own might seem like a cost-effective option, partnering with us offers several distinct advantages:
Expertise and Experience: As professional videographers and storytellers, we have the skills, knowledge, and experience to craft a high-quality, compelling video that effectively captures your loved one’s story. We understand the technical aspects of video production, including lighting, sound, editing, and storytelling techniques – all to ensure that your video is polished and engaging.
Emotional Distance: We bring an objective perspective to the storytelling process, which can be beneficial when addressing sensitive or personal topics. We can help you navigate difficult emotions and ensure that your story is presented in a respectful and dignified way.
Access to Professional Equipment: We have access to high-quality cameras, microphones, lighting equipment, and editing software that may not be readily available to the average person. This allows us to capture and edit your video with professional quality.
Time and Convenience: Creating a personal history video requires time, effort, and attention to detail. By partnering with us, you can save yourself the time and stress of learning new skills, conducting interviews, gathering footage, and editing the video yourself. Instead, you can enjoy the process and focus supporting your loved one as they prepare to share their story.
Overall, partnering with us to create your video offers peace of mind, quality assurance, and a finished product that you can be proud of and enjoy for generations.