Congratulations on scheduling an online video interview!
This is reference information if you're going to be attending an online video interview with Cory Bretz. The process is the same whether you are participating in a corporate or non-profit video project or contributing content to a family movie or book.
Video Interview Preparation
Check your email inbox for messages about the following items that will be sent soon. You might also have received an email message and/or Google Calendar Invite that has a Riverside.fm link in it. Login in 15 minutes early to leave time to sort out any technical challenges, if any.
1) How To Use Riverside.fm
We're proud to be using state-of-the-art online interviewing technology from Riverside.fm. It works similar to Zoom, Facetime, and lots of other online video chat programs.
The advantage to Riverside.fm is that during your interview a unique video and audio recording file is created just of you. That way later when we're making your video or family history film you won't have other voices or faces over top of yours. You're going to look and sound great!
Smartphones and Tablets
Riverside.fm works perfectly on your Apple iPad or iPhone and also on your Android smartphone or tablet using the free Riverside.fm app.
Download App:
Apple users
Android users
Computers
Riverside.fm also works perfectly on your Windows or Mac desktop computer or laptop. It runs as a tab inside either Google Chrome browser or Microsoft Edge browser. You likely already have one of these browsers already installed on your computer. You will need to have a webcam connected to your computer.
Be sure your browser is up-to-date.
Download Browser
Google Chrome
Microsoft Edge
How To Get To Your Riverside.fm Studio
By email you will receive a link to your Riverside.fm Studio where the interviews will be conducted. If your project involves multiple interviews it will likely be the same Studio link each time. Just click on the link and you'll arrive in the Studio via either your computer browser or phone or tablet app. If you haven't already installed the app on your phone or tablet you'll have to do it then. It's a good idea to click on the Studio link in advance when you first get it to handle the app install sooner than later. That way you won't be distracted by technology when your interview is just about to start.
2) The Life Story Questionnaire
FOR FAMILY HISTORY PROJECTS ONLY
If requested by the interviewer, download and complete the Life Story Questionnaire as far in advance as possible before the online video interview date. Do not fill out this this form unless requested. Alternatively, the interviewer may have sent you some suggested interview questions and/or sentence completions.
SKIP THIS STEP FOR CORPORATE OR NON-PROFIT PROJECTS
Click the button below to find various Life Story Questionnaire versions..
You can complete and return the Life Story Questionnaire using whichever of the following methods works best for you:
1) MS Word (.docx)...download to your own computer the MS Word file HeirloomFilms-Life_Story_QuestionnaireDetailed2020.docx. Type in your information. SaveAs and add your name to the document name. Attach the MS Word file (.docx) to an email message and send it to info@heirloomfilms.ca.
2) PDF (.pdf)...Download and print the PDF version HeirloomFilms-Life_Story_QuestionnaireDetailed2020.pdf. Fill it out by hand with a pen. Scan it and save to PDF or photograph it with your smartphone or tablet. Attach your file to an email message and send it back by email to the address you've already been given.
3) Online Form... Simply fill in the fields on this online form and click Submit. Your information will be sent confidentially and instantly available to the interviewer. You will need to login using your free Gmail email address. We highly recommend you create a free Gmail Account because you'll also get access to free online storage which can be very useful for managing family history project assets.
3) Prioritize 3 - 5 Things to Cover During Your Interview
Time flies when you're having fun. Storytelling is fun. Make a list of the essential points, people, ancestors or characters you want to speak to your project.
List stories by punchlines or headlines. Rank the characters and stories from 1 - 100 with 1 being the most crucial and 100 being "it would be nice but not crucial".
Email that list to your interviewer in advance if possible: info@heirloomfilms.ca
4) The Day Of Your Interview
Log into our Riverside Studio about 15 minutes early to make sure all the technology is working. Shut down any other applications on your computer that might be using device resources and/or the internet.
Depending on the bandwidth of your internet service, if you share your internet connection with someone else you might ask them to refrain from streaming movies or playing online games during your interview so your video signal is strong and not intermittent.
Clothing and Light
Dress nice...from the waist up. Do your usual mirror check, same as you would before going out. Your best colors are the right colors. Teeny tiny checker patterns could appear to vibrate or buzz in a video. Larger patterns, stripe, and checkers are fine.
Put your phone on vibrate and make sure your calendar is clear for the duration of the interview and people know not to interrupt you. Make sure you are in a quiet room and turn off anything that makes noise.
During daylight position yourself so you are facing the window (NOT with your back to the window). If the light is behind you, your face will be in shadow and your face won't be very visible.
At night make sure there are several lamps turned on in front of you (not behind you) on either side. Manicure the space behind you so it tidy and simple. Sit in a chair that doesn't rock or squeak. Bring a glass of water, some tissues, and your notes.
Get a good night's rest the night before and do whatever relaxes you and helps you feel happy and centered.
It's going to be fun.
Don't worry if you can't recall every detail or specific dates. It doesn't matter. It's okay to be vague like "sometime in the 50s" or "when I was a kid".
Your interview is confidential and the interviewer won't judge you, make fun of you, or give you any unsolicited advice about your life or subject material. You're encouraged to take your time, speak boldly, and feel your emotions. Tears are welcome and quite normal. During the interview if you need a break just say, "Let's take a quick break".
Storytelling Concepts
When speaking during your interview try to talk in complete sentences and avoid vague pronouns like "It, them, they, he, she, there, here, those, thing....those words don't actually mean anything and create confusion. If your interview is for a film or video, the interviewer's voice will likely be removed so your sentences need to be whole concepts that stand on their own. Start your answers by paraphrasing the question and then adding your answer to the end. This project will be far more enjoyable if your audience doesn't get confused about who or what you're talking about so speak the actual names of people, objects, and places far more frequently than you might normally.
Bad example: Interviewer asks, "Where did you go to school?" Subject replies "It was here". That response will never be used because "It" and "here" mean absolutely nothing.
Instead speak like you're talking to school kids from out of town (that's a great way to remove assumptions from statements). You've got to tell them more and your sentences all need to make sense. Yes, we can restate things during the interview if you don't like your first attempt explaining something.
Good example: Interviewer asks, "Where did you go to school?" Subject replies, " I went to school in New York City. My elementary school was River East Elementary. Then I went to Isaac Newton Middle School For Math & Science. I graduated from Dream Charter High School before heading off to college". This answer can stand on its own without knowing the interviewer's question. But relax. Your interviewer will help you wordsmith your sentences so they are good fodder for the project.
Contact personal historian Cory Bretz at 778-887-7446 or cory@heirloomfilms.ca if you've got questions or concerns.
Thanks for participating in the project!
Copyright 2026 Heirloom Films and Storybooks, all rights reserved.