Workshops And Presentations

Life Stories Family History Video Presentations Cory Bretz Personal Historian

Personal Historian Cory Bretz delivers educational, practical, and fun in-person and online workshop presentations about family history projects. 


GETTING DONE YOUR FAMILY HISTORY PROJECT

See here for upcoming online dates.


CELEBRATING LIFE STORIES AND FAMILY HISTORY

Presentation (1 Hour / 5 – 50 participants) Free
How to use video and custom printed storybooks to preserve and share your life story, family history, photos, mementos and, personal messages. This general presentation explains in broad terms the various methods for both documentary filmmaking for families and also print storybook creation. Discussed are simple recording methods, transcribing, editing, interviews, and the differences between life stories, wisdom, and personal messages. Other topics include photo scanning and restoration, film and tape conversions to video & digital, and different print options. Methods of packaging family history for easy use by future generations is also discussed along with how to find and choose a Personal Historian.


HOW TO LIVE FOREVER IN DIGITAL VIDEO

Presentation (1 Hour / 5 – 50 participants) Free
The process of making personal family history films and life story biographies is discussed with examples shown and a live demonstration of one audience participant being interviewed on camera and the video stored on DVD. Explanation of how the Internet, Facebook, and video websites like Youtube can save your life story and photos forever and make them accessible to your entire family anywhere in the world. Presented by Heirloom Films and Storybooks. Facilitator film and storybook maker Cory Bretz.


YOUR ONE HOUR VIDEO INTERVIEW

Workshop / Series (4 Hours / 4 participants) $25 per participant for materials.
Four one hour Life Story Interviews done in a closed workshop setting. Each participant receives a complimentary Life Story Questionnaire, a list of common questions, and a downloadable shareable online streaming video of their interview to share with friends and family on TV, computers, tablets, and phones. A brief coaching session provides participants with the basics of concise storytelling and remembering old stories. These interviews may provide some content for “Famous Movie Stars” (see next listing).


FAMOUS MOVIE STARS

Entertainment Event (2 hours / 5 – 50 participants) Free
Filmmaker Cory Bretz hosts Famous Movie Stars, the outrageous Big Screen Event that reveals the shocking answers to three questions most people would never ask! Recorded the prior month during the workshop series “Your One Hour Video Interview”, this entertaining short film takes you into unspoken territory — the lives of your neighbours. What do you really know about them? You’ll wish you’d never asked! A laugh a minute. Family and friends welcome.


HOW TO SAVE YOUR FAMILY & PHOTOS WITH A STORYBOOK

Presentation (1 Hour / 5 – 50 participants)Now that box of photos in the closet can become beautifully printed and bound storybooks that make amazing gifts for your children and friends. Cory Bretz explains how the photos can quickly and easily be laid out with stories and text to make a keepsake book that will be in the family library forever. Covering everything from scanning to simple layout, this presentation shows participants how to avoid the scissors, glue, and tape and demonstrates how custom made books can easily be designed and ordered.


MAKING STORYBOOKS AS GIFTS

Workshop / 3 Session Series (3 hours / 6 participants) $149 per participant
A follow up to the presentation How to Save Your Family & Photos in a Storybook, this workshop takes a group of participants through the process of creating a personal storybook, using their own photos and story information. The book is then printed, bound, and mailed to each participant. This workshop is best held in facilities with in-house computer rooms or with participants who have their own laptop computers. Book publishing costs not included. 


YOUR PRESENTER

Cory Bretz is a personal historian, videographer, storybook maker, and yes, an entertaining and informative public speaker. He’ll show you the latest technology for creating modern heritage keepsakes for your family. For two decades Cory has made several dozen life story family history films and books for families who want to be sure the next generation knows where they came from. Cory outlines the process of video interviews, doing online genealogy research, creating family trees, and digitally capturing old photos and slides to create the most meaningful gifts that you will ever give … videos and books that will be cherished forever. Find out how to record yourself or how to choose a Personal Historian to work with you.

Phone 778-887-7446 to book a presentation for your group.

 

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