6 Reasons to do a Video Biography

6 reasons to do a video biography

A video biography is a documentary about a non-famous person. Basically, they're documentaries for the rest of us. Back then, you had to be famous - or infamous - to have a documentary made about you. Now, thanks to the advent of high-definition video, access to quality video biographies is available more than ever.

You or a relative may have already begun the documentation process through a self-authored book or perhaps a collection of audio or video recordings.

However, if you’re able to, here’s six reasons – to keep the list short – why you should consider documenting a life with a video biography.

Gems - Context - Legacy - Entertainment - Togetherness - Copies

Have you ever looked through an old photo album and been taken aback by a picture of a family member? Perhaps you saw your mother as a young woman. Or perhaps you saw your father looking debonair. Maybe it was your grandfather with a full head of hair.

I’m sure you would’ve loved to have framed some of those photos, but your walls were already full. Perhaps you pulled out one meaningful photo and framed it. I'm sure there were more you would've displayed, but there wasn't enough wall space; you had to leave room for your spouse, children and grandchildren.

Or maybe you've never bothered to peruse these old albums and are unaware of the gems they contain.

A video biography provides a venue for these photos to see their deserved light of day. And if you think old photos are interesting, just envision what a kick it’d be to see what’s on those old home movies.

IN MY EXPERIENCE:

Years ago, my grandmother gave my father a series of 8mm film reels documenting family vacations during the 1970s. He had the footage transferred and then screened it in the living room one day; he never saw the footage again and simply planned to pass it on to me in the future.

So why did he pay to have the footage transferred since he only saw it once? Well, he knew it was important of course. I also knew it was important, but hadn't even bothered watching the footage because I had taken a brief look years ago and it seemed boring. I just recalled shaky footage of exotic locales while Muzak played in the background.

It was only my interest in video biographies that led me to watch the endless hours of footage. Yes, it was still boring - except for those little bits throughout which actually featured family members instead of locales (you can only stare at Niagara Falls for so long). When I made my grandmother’s video biography, I was grateful for all this initially seemingly boring footage, which ultimately contained many fascinating bits which enhanced her project.

As the years go by, old photo albums and home movies will be passed on to younger family members as we aim to declutter our lives. This process will lead to a gradual loss of context for these items and we'll ultimately be at the mercy of our memory. If we're lucky, some of the photos will contain notes on the back providing relevant information. 

Unfortunately, too many of us are allowing our family members to pass away without leaving anything behind regarding their life story. Instead, we’re left with a batch of dusty photographs whose meaning will get continually hazier as the years go by.

A video biography would allow someone to tell their story with the accompaniment of these photos and home movies, which they’ll be able to put in the proper context. Wouldn’t it be wise to capture their comments while we have the chance, instead of hearing it second-hand from another family member decades from now?

IN MY EXPERIENCE:

I ran into this unfortunate experience during my grandmother's project. Thankfully, she provided plenty of context for almost any photo I questioned her on, but there were some which she knew very little about. As it is in these situations, the person who could’ve provided context for these photos had passed away - I'm mainly referring to my grandfather.

However, he still managed to assist me with his occasional notations behind photos. They filed in gaps and provided some insight into his state of mind at the time.

Many of us didn’t know our great-grandparents that well – or at all. And if we did, most of us knew them as elderly individuals we only saw at the end of their lives. And when it comes to great-great-grandparents, well, never mind. I’d venture most of us couldn’t come up with the names of any of our eight great-great-grandparents. 

We may just be parents or grandparents now, but as every generation passes the word "great" will be added to our title. And then what? How long will we be remembered? We now have the ability to tell our stories in a way our ancestors never could. A video biography can be enjoyed now and by all our subsequent generations once we’re gone.

The subject can decide how to tell the story of their struggles and triumphs. A video biography can showcase someone’s personality in a way that a photo never could. The subject can even showcase something that is unique to them such as a cooking demonstration of their signature dish.

Either way, they’ll be able to dictate how they want to be remembered and celebrated.

IN MY EXPERIENCE:

I have regrets. We’re told to live without them, but I try to correct regrets by avoiding regretful behavior in the future. I regret not making a video biography about my grandfather since he was an eloquent history buff.

His passing away ended that possibility, but I did the next best thing – I made one about my grandmother. She was reluctant at first, but I made the case for the project's importance and she relented. She is my last surviving grandparent so I was determined to document her.

Through my grandmother’s video biography, I have been able to preserve her uniqueness and also managed to document my grandfather's legacy through the person who knew him best. My grandmother has allowed me to preserve information about my family that would have been lost since she is the only living person that has first-hand knowledge of certain events and individuals. 

Besides the importance of documenting someone’s legacy, a video biography serves another purpose – entertainment. We’ve all been enchanted by movies and realize their entertainment value. They have the potential to transfix just about anyone and video biographies work in the same fashion.

Anyone with a basic understanding of PowerPoint can put together a slideshow. Anyone with a basic understanding of a video camera can record a relative telling their life story. But what if you combined those mediums combined with stellar craftsmanship?

Envision seeing a family member’s life story with a documentary that looks as if it belongs on PBS. Video biographies offer that possibility since they utilize photos, home movies, interviews and music to tell a story in a way that these mediums couldn’t do on their own.

Since well-made video biographies can be entertaining, they'd be perfect for repeat viewings. Indeed, family members of all ages would be able to appreciate such an experience. Children are notorious for their entertainment obsessions. Wouldn't it be nice if a child knew his grandfather's story as well as the one from a favorite animated movie? Children growing up with a relative's video biography would allow them to appreciate a family member's story on a deeper level as they grow up.

Meanwhile, other family members could watch a relative's video biography annually to honor a deceased relative. Or if a couple had one made chronicling their marriage, they could watch it on their anniversary every year.

IN MY EXPERIENCE:

A client of mine was so enamored by his video biography's production quality that - just minutes into it - he told his wife and daughters that he had to fly out to show it to his elderly mother. Indeed, several months later, he did just that and wowed her and several of his siblings with the video. He had been planning to visit them anyway and the video was the impetus for the trip. I was delighted by the fact that something I had created influenced my client to make his trip earlier.

Not much explanation needed here.

Video biographies can entertain a large number of people at once since they're seen on a screen. This feature makes them a great tool to bond a room.

What would be a bigger crowd-pleaser at a retirement banquet?

A photo album left at a table featuring the guest of honor? Or a viewing of a thirty minute video biographyillustrating said person's life story and career accomplishments?

IN MY EXPERIENCE:

For the first time, I attended a wedding in which a video was played at the reception in which the bride and groom told the story of their relationship. The video was rather short (about five minutes), but it nevertheless captivated the room.

Of course, not all family members and friends will be present to watch your video biography with you. Unlike other great tribute items – such as a scrapbook - a video biography exists in a disk form or as a digital file, thus allowing one to make exact replicas.

Indeed, try making copies of a scrapbook. Sure, you could have the pages professionally photocopied and then buy a new scrapbook with plastic sleeves to display them. It would be close to the original - but not quite.

However, an exact replica of a video biography is available to any family member who wants one. And having the movie file on a flash drive allows it to be copied onto computers. So despite what happens with physical formats, you’ll always have a copy available.

IN MY EXPERIENCE:

Clients of mine appreciate the fact that they're able to send high-quality copies of their video biography to out-of-state relatives.

Video biographies weren’t an option several decades ago when consumer video cameras were in their infancy, but now it’s easier than ever to document our stories in a professional fashion.

A video biography provides a platform for your hidden gems, while a family member gives them context. A legacy will be preserved in an entertaining fashion while providing a bonding experience for viewers. And high-quality versions can be distributed to whomever you wish.

If you don’t want to pay for the service, then find a younger family member who’s familiar with electronics and document something. It may not be top-notch, but generations down the line will be grateful.