The Process of Making
A Time Capsule Video
Intake call
I get a good picture of what is important to you and guide you through all steps of making a professional video interview.
Interview
We start with a little get to know each other and forget about the camera. The prepared questions will 'just' be a starting point.
Preparation
I prepare the interview and adapt my questions based on our intake. We have a check-in call before shooting.
B-Roll Shooting
To enrich the interview we shot extra footage of the protagonists environment to create a more authentic story.
Shooting Set up
I look for an ideal shooting location with a comfortable place to sit. I set up my gear and check the light and audio quality.
Post Production
I get a good picture of what is important to you and guide you through all steps of making a professional video interview.
Intake Call​​​
During our intake (video) call I will go through some basic questions, give some advice and specially listen to your needs. By getting to know you, your expectations and what is important to you I can ask better questions and thus have a more thoughtful and meaningful interview.
I want to specially make you feel comfortable with the process and will ask what could be things that get in the way. I will ask eg. if there are eventually any topics or question to avoid. I will take care of everything that comes with the producing of a professional video interview and will guide you through to give you total peace of mind.
With your son when he is 16y what your grandpa was like, sharing his life lessons, value and
with your partner on your 10y anniversary to what was important, …
WIth your 16y old dougter how she was like with 6y what was important
Preparation​
After our call I will prepare the interview by going through my notes and adapt my questions. I have a large catalog of questions by themes and audiences from where I pick a selection adapt them and add some based on our intake.
Before our shooting day I will have a little check-in with you. Eventually new thoughts or questions came to mind which we can discuss upfront so that nothing is in the way for a relaxed and prepared shooting day.
Shooting Set up​
I work with professional video and audio equipment to get the best image and sound from the shooting. Extra light and interview microphones are important to get a premium quality recording. I use eg. a big soft box light to create a very soft and natural looking image, I like to keep things ‘simple’ and calm with focus on the message. No special effects, drones or fast moving pictures because it just distracts from what the person is sharing.
I will look for the ideal shooting location in the house, set up camera, lights, mics and a comfortable place for you to sit at ease. I will pay attention to the image composition, light directions, exposure, colour, microphone levels and quality. ​​
Me setting up gear:
1) installing light (close up setting % of light box light)
2) me looking at field monitor
3)
The Interview​
I will first start with a little get to know each other to make you feel comfortable and make you forget about the camera that is pointing at you. The prepared questions are 'just' a starting point for a good conversation​.
There are a few guidelines​ I follow to have a rich and profound conversation:
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Open-end questions will give me more dept and richness.
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Have an open mind, no room for judging and evaluating. Curiosity and respect will guide me further and will help me to really get to know my conversation partner.
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Silence is key. Give room and space to think and answer. I will be listening carefully without interrupting. It is not about me.
Good questions (and thus beter answers) come based on what you hear, rather then the 'static' list of questions. Specialising on interviews about peoples inner life makes me a beter listener and makes me pay attention to find those relevant words worth capturing in a time capsule video.​
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For the interested ones, here a list of relevant books on how to have conversations that matter that I recommend:
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We need to talk, Celeste Headlee (she also has a great TEDTalk)​
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You are not listening, Kate Murphy
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Nonviolent Communication, Marshall Rosenberg
the people (less gear), smiling, heartful
B-Roll*
To enrich the interview I shoot and add extra relevant video footage of eg. the interviewee in his home, picture frames on the wall or kids rooms with their toys. These shoots are called B-Roll, read more here. By doing so you create a more professional looking video but especially a more authentic and personal capture of the protagonist environment.
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*With Advanced and Deluxe option (see products)
Post Production
I will first transcribe the interview to be able to find the red line in the story and put the puzzel together. This is a common technique in documantary making to first edit the story based on a script/words. It is extra work but it will provide a much beter end-result. When putting all elements together in the editing it is all about having a good timing and rhythm between words, enough whitespace and supporting (not distracting) music and b-roll.
Image colour and exposure correction will give the video the final look and touch since the original material (no matter how expensive your camera) needs always adjustment. The quality and clarity of the voice will also be improved so it is easy to understand no matter where you watch the video.
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The file will be available in several resolutions so you can use and enjoy it in different ways: Add it to your online photo cloud of preference like eg Google Photos , add the file to your mobile phone storage and stream it to a smart TV, share it on whatsapp to share with friends, upload the video to your personal Youtube channel as a private video that only you and people with the link can watch.
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Easy and Simple Trading Tools
Preserving the inner life of
to relive it
young
parents-to-be
when the children are older
to relive it
Preserving the inner life of
A precious keepsake from
Teenhood
Intake | Planning
After an initial first short contact, we will set up an intake session. During this conversation, I will get to know you a bit better, get a sense of who your are and what your expectations are. We will discuss which topics (not) to cover and plan the shoot.​
After that, I will prepare the shoot: high level storyboarding of the documentary, preparing the interview, scouting for B-roll etc.
What is A and B-Roll and why
A-Roll and B-Roll refer in video production to the type of footage taken. B-Roll enriches the interview, makes it even more personal, authentic and worth keeping to enjoy later.
A-Roll
Is the main interview footage. This covers the main story line and the spoken voice. It is the basis of the documentary.
B-Roll
Is all the extra footage that is build around the A-Roll to enhance the main story. This footage will add context, bolster storylines, show examples, create a certain atmosphere and so on. It lifts the documentary to a quality beyond the linear, unedited question-answer format.
Personalized B-Roll
B-Roll footage that shows the environment, living space with the interviewee makes the documentary more authentic e.g. close ups of interviewee during daily routines.
An engaged couple discusses their love story, their expectations of marriage and their hopes for the future.
Young parents create a deeply personal keepsake for their little one to cherish.
A grandfather shares his wisdom, values and advice for the next generation(s).
A precious
keepsake from
your engagement
Videoportret, levensverhaal &
A retrospective
A life well lived
Pass on the wisdom of life
to your loved ones and all future generations.
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Share your values, wisdom, live lessons or love story. Pass on your family history.
What are the most important values in life?
Do you have any regrets?
Which moments in life have defined you?
What are you most proud of?
How would you like to be remembered?