Step One: The Pre-Interview Process

An audio taped pre-interview is conducted with the person(s) to be interviewed and/or those connected in some way to the person(s) being interviewed, to obtain a better understanding of their specific contributions. Any photographs, letters, documents, notes, newspaper clippings, or any other personal mementos or awards, home movie, and/or film footage of the person's life history that participants want to provide at this time may do so, and will aid in the final production.

Pre-interviews can be conducted over the phone or in person. However, in-person interviews are preferred, so that a relationship between those interviewed and interviewer can be developed early in the project. In-person pre-interviews also permit us to identify possible location shots prior to filming, allowing for better planning and reduced costs when video tape filming takes place.

The time taken to conduct audio-tape pre-interviews are wholly dependent on the kind of production desired. Typically, one to two days of pre-interviews are required, with one to four hours of audio tape interviews conducted each day.

Step Two: Research

All material made available to Canadian Video Biography will be reviewed and briefly gone over with the person(s) being interviewed and/or others associated with the person or persons being interviewed - so as to decide which material could be incorporated into the final personal video biography. We are also available to conduct original genealogical research, if requested. A brief conversation as to which location shots are to be filmed will also occur during this time.

Step Three: The Video Tape Interview(s)

The video tape interview(s) are the best part of the process. Participants now know that the interviewer is sufficiently briefed on their personal history and has developed a comfort level with his/her interviewer. For people who may be camera shy, we ensure that participants are made comfortable and relaxed before a session begins.

For the principal person being interviewed, anywhere from one to four hours of video tape interviewing is the usual time taken in any one day, with a half hour break after the first hour of filming. If required, more frequent breaks can be scheduled. In most cases, the principal person can be interviewed in the one day.

When requested, video tape interviews of friends, co-workers, and/or colleagues usually take a half hour each, while spouses and/or children normally take up to an hour each. Where there are a number of people to be interviewed, however, or a comprehensive personal video biography is being requested, this can sometimes be extended over a number of days.* Various location shots will also be filmed during this time - and usually take anywhere from one to four hours to complete, depending on the kind of production requested.

By the time we are through this process, we will have produced an extraordinary amount of video footage of personal testimonials and location shots that can be woven into a cohesive and engaging personal story.

*If an extended series of video tape interviews are required, they can be conducted consecutively or spaced out, sometimes at different geographic locations, depending on the requirements of the participant(s). And where a production is long or comprehensive, it is highly recommended that transcripts be made of the video tape interviews, so that a developed script can be produced, thereby making the editing part of the process that much easier and more economical.

Step Four: The Final Step

Parts of the video tape interview(s) and location shots will be pre-selected, along with your own material and woven together in the editing room. We will also incorporate a musical score into the production that fits the mood and setting of the particular situation - emphasizing the special contributions made. Upon completion, we will have captured and preserved a significant part of that special someone or group's life experiences existing for eternity. What better gift can be given - to live on in a real and tangible way for you and future generations to view and enjoy over and over again.

From start to finish, a personal video biography can take as little as one week to produce, or as long as a couple months, depending primarily on the number of people to be interviewed, the level of complexity of the production, and the geographical areas of the location shots.