A. The interviewing process is usually conducted at a location designated by the (Client). We refer to this as "on-location".
Q. How do you handle family dynamics with regard to managing expectations and such?
A. Great Question, It's pretty simple actually. We take our direction from an individual we call our (Client), usually this is the family member that was either designated the point person or the person who directly contacted us. We consider this person the "Executive Producer". Often, family members will agree to share the cost of the production, this tends to create an environment of creative difference. We recommend that someone other than the (Honorary) be designated the (Client). This person is then empowered to make the final decisions and direct us accordingly.
Q. Can we assist in the design and flow of the storyline?
A. Yes, our production designers will create a storyboard and presentation outline to review with the (Client) prior to the actual (post production) editing process. If the (Client) is satisfied with the general flow of the storyline, we proceed with the next phase of the production.
Q. Can we see the interview script before the interview, we are concerned about sensitive subject matter or recalling hurtful memories?
A. Absolutely, we encourage and recommend (Client) collaboration as our questions and interview techniques are designed to draw out the memorable facts related to the overall theme selected. Some questions may be considered "off-limits" by the (Client) or (Honorary). These considerations will be carefully factored into the interview script before the actual interview shoot is conducted. If our professional on-camera interviewer is used in the biography, a "sensitivity" walk-through will be conducted with the interviewer prior to the shoot.
Q. Are all the video clips or "takes" used in the final production?
A. Depending on the type and target length of the final production, we may or may not choose to use all the clips. When we conduct the interview shoot, several "takes" will likely be conducted so we can choose the most effective clip for that subject area. Often we use candid clips that are outtakes and use those to embellish the overall production.
Q. I have some really old pictures that are all discolored and damaged, can you restore them so we can include the images in the final production?
A. Yes, in fact we will use your pictures and digitally convert and restore them so they are optimized for video production. We can also provide you with restored hard copies or just provide the restored electronic images on a CD. Either way, you will receive high quality images that have been professionally restored.
Q. I have some home video clips that were taken several years ago and are on a VHS tape and 8mm. Can these be incorporated to our biography?
A. Yes, we can take your home videos and convert them to a format that can be edited into the tribute or biography production. Older VHS tapes and 8mm are known to degrade over time and the quality of the video can be significantly lower than today's digital video camcorders. We will make every attempt to convert it without loosing detail during the conversion process. Your original will be left intact.
Q. We want to do a tribute for someone without including them in the production so it can be a surprise. Do you do these types of tributes?
A. Yes, instead of directly interviewing the honorary of the tribute, we can interview friends, family and co-workers for a "honoring your life" type of theme. Due to the setup time and cost of location shooting we recommend we shoot as many of the interviewees as possible in our studios. We can perform these interviews via blue/green screen which enable us to project the location in the background during the editing phase of the production.
This is an effective technique that offers our production designers broader creative opportunities for the final production.
Q. How do you handle the historical innacuracies that are realized during the interview process?
A. This is a tricky issue. First, we have to define "historical inaccuracies". We tend to separate family & personal history from documented history. We consider it our responsibility to ensure that documented history is represented as accurately as possible in the biography or tribute. If the (Client) wishes us to remediate documented historical inaccuracies, we will make every attempt to do so during the interview as well as during the research and post production (editing) phases.
If the (Client) wishes us to just capture the experiences and events as recollected, then we will accommodate as directed.
Q. How much does it cost to produce a tribute or biography?
A. It really depends on several key factors that go into Biographies and Tributes.
1. Biography type & theme selected.
2. Desired final production length. (Usually 30 min - 90 min)
3. Number of still images (photos) you want incorporated. (30 - 300)
4. Number of images (photos) that require digital restoration. (Advanced Restoration - Color Correction, Surface touchup, etc.)
5. Number of home video clips to digitally convert and restore. (2+ clips)
6. Number of honoraries. (Typically 1 or 2)
7. Inclusion of an on-camera professional interviewer (Recommended)
8. Additional research and content acquisition required for documented historical accuracy.
9. Music acquisition and compilation. (Roughly 3 tracks per 30mins of final production length)
Q. Do you accept payment plans or offer credit?
A. Yes. We offer simple payment plans for the higher end tributes and biography productions.