Welcome to the Summer 2021 issue!
And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.
F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
With vaccines lifting the veil of Covid that enshrouded our lives in the U.S. for over a year, the above quote seems particularly apt. I hope this summer affords you and your family many opportunities to savor the fragrance of blooming flowers, to bask in the warmth of friendly sunshine, and to revel in the enjoyment of carefree pursuits. And while you’re at it, give some thought to getting your pandemic-interrupted life story projects back on track. Family Legacy Video® is ready to help!
Cheers! – – Steve Pender
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On the Legacy Video Lounge Podcast: Talkin’ Legacy Videos
If you ever wanted to hear a legacy video pro dish about all aspects of personal history videos, from the benefits to the production process and everything in-between, you’re in luck! You’ll find just what you’re looking for in Episodes 22-25 of the Legacy Video Lounge Podcast’s Talkin’ Legacy Videos series. Each episode features a spirited discussion, during which Family Legacy Video’s president, Steve Pender, responds to legacy video-related questions from Tucson-based writer Elena Acoba. They’ll help you to better understand what legacy videos are all about – and help you get to know the guy who is the driving force behind Family Legacy Video®. You’ll want to listen to these podcasts!
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Let’s get visual! How images can take your legacy video to the next level.
Back in the days when I conducted legacy video workshops, I used to show attendees a couple of clips from a legacy video featuring my grandmother. In it, she spoke about meeting my grandfather, and then described her wedding. Each clip featured the same portion of her interview; the difference between the two was the visual treatment I gave each sequence. In the first, Gram is on-screen during the entire time – just her with no music or visuals. The second version of the story featured photos of her and my grandfather-to-be during their courtship, set to music from the 1930s; sound effects of church bells announcing their wedding; a tilt down along their wedding invitation as a wedding march begins, and photos of the bride and groom.
After showing the two clips back to back, I’d ask my students which they felt was more impactful. Version #2 was always the hands-down winner, because of the way the sound and visuals enhanced my grandmother’s telling of the story.
Judicious and creative use of family and archival images, along with music and appropriate sound effects, can really lend informational and entertainment value to your legacy video. In fact, Family Legacy Video® employs the same kinds of editing techniques you’ve probably seen in big-budget documentaries. So if you’re wondering if you can include family photos, films, and videos within your legacy video, the answer is yes. In fact, we can also look beyond your family to find archival photos, films, and other images that can help set your family stories within the context of the broader history of the U.S. and the world.
So what kinds of visuals can help elevate the quality and impact of your legacy video?
Here are some ideas:
• Still photos
• Newspaper/magazine clippings
• Diplomas
• Wedding announcements
• Plaques
• Trophies
• Medals
• Paintings
• Drawings
• Letters
• Keepsakes
• Souvenirs
• Childhood toys
• Family videos (or films transferred to video)
In short, anything that can be shot or scanned – and that illustrates the stories being told – can find a place in your legacy video. To see how Family Legacy Video® has used visuals to enhance our clients’ personal history productions, check out these sample clips.
– Steve Pender