Family History is Built on Interviews and Storytelling
You’re about to have so much fun! You get to tell your stories, talk about your family history and show off your old photos and mementos. After a few minutes, you’ll totally forget about the camera. Later, you’ll be so thrilled when your family and friends all around the world are watching your video online, streamed to their smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs, 24/7!
Unless you or your parents are skilled writers, the easiest way to get those stories out of your head and to the next generation is with some interviewing.
Family Historian Cory Bretz has interviewed hundreds of folks about their family history and life stories.
Life Story and Family History Interviews Anywhere
We are pleased to offer legacy life story and family history video interviews online, inperson* in your home, or outdoors somewhere special. We've even conducted interviews in parks, cars, trailers, and tents!
*For inperson interviews outside Greater Vancouver, BC, Canada additional charges apply for travel, accomodation, per diem, etc apply . Request a custom quote.
Is It Difficult To Tell Your Story?
No. Cory Bretz is a master interviewer. You will find yourself relaxed and easily able to talk about your life. It can really be a lot of fun when you're talking to someone who actually wants to listen to you, doesn’t interrupt you, doesn't judge you, and doesn’t give you unwanted advice! Some have told us that these interviews can even be healing and cathartic.
What to Expect During Your Video Interview
Heirloom Films personal historian Cory Bretz conducts video interviews for seniors. It's just a relaxing conversation about things you already know.
He'll come to you wherever you are. You'll be in your favourite chair or we'll do the interview with you in front of your computer or tablet. You just talk and tell your stories.
With simple questions and prompts it's easy and fun to tell one's story.
Your video interview will be processed and uploaded to the internet so you can download it to your own storage device like a hard drive, flash drive, memory stick, tablet, computer, and smartphone. The video file will be perfect fodder for your family history movie.
You'll also receive editable text transcripts of your interview, perfect for the pages of your legacy book or to be used as a narration track script for your family history film.
"I'd started to interview my own mother with my camera. But there was so much that she wouldn't tell me. Apparently this is normal with some parents and their children. So I brought in Cory to interview her. She loved it and told him more than I knew! I've got an amazing movie about my mom, dad, and ancestors! So glad."
Jeffrey Goldberg
Retired Entrepreneur
"Telling my story of eight decades was easy with Cory. We spent several afternoons having conversations about my work, the turning points in my life, and about my ancestors. I even got to show off the medal I won at the 1936 Winter Olympics! "
Dr. Helmutt May
Figure Skating Coach
Ready to set up your interviews?
Waited long enough?
Choose between several Video Interview Packages and save.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
✓ 1, 2, or 3 Two Hour Video Interviews, depending on your package: Inperson in Greater Vancouver* or online
✓ Instruction Guide: Step-By-Step simple explanations on how to prepare for video interviews.
✓ 30-minute Pre-Planning Session online or by phone with family historian interviewer Cory Bretz
✓ Life Story Questionnaire: Jog the memory and make your interview more productive
✓ Family Tree Chart: Narrow down ancestors to talk about and eliminate confusion
✓ 110 Interview Questions: Jog more memories and expand storytelling possibilities
✓ Wisdom & Values Cues: Teach useful lessons about life and living for descendants
✓ Blessings Sentence Starters: Create unique honouring messages to each loved one
✓ Unedited video footage perfect source content for your film, movie, or social media
✓ Editable text transcript of your interview
✓ Unique download webpage for all your project assets, video, and transcript text
✓ Recommendations for how to use your video footage in a film or movie and the transcript in a book
*For inperson interviews outside Greater Vancouver, BC, Canada additional charges apply for travel, accomodation, per diem, etc apply . Request a custom quote.
Set up a free consultation to get a custom quote.
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