Services
FamilyLore offers services for everyone!
Whether they are family members, friends, colleagues, mentors or esteemed elders, every person has unique stories to share for present or future generations (or both).
Whatever their mood, coloration or purpose, those stories matter, and it is my honor and delight to unearth and record them in a safe and meaningful way.
FAMILYLORE ORAL HISTORY AND LEGACY INTERVIEWS “Tell me about the time when…”
Let’s face it. Oral history interviews conducted by those closest to us can be awkward or testy. This can make it difficult for a loved to relax and open up.
In contrast, a conversation with an experienced, curious, and neutral professional with “no baggage” keeps the atmosphere gentle and on track so the memories can just flow. (It also leaves out the buzzwords and “insider” jargon that future listeners won’t understand.
In short, FamilyLore clients can enjoy a precious opportunity to flesh out well-known personal and family stories while making room for fascinating, amusing and poignant surprises. And it’s cheaper than t
COMPANYLORE & ORGANIZATION INTERVIEWS “It All Started With a Crazy Idea…”
Companies are “People” Too! At its core, every organization is rooted in its people and the endless stories that arise over time and get passed down. Taken together, these stories form the unique personality and culture of an organization.
CompanyLore interviews shine light on key choices and look ahead to future possibilities and opportunities. and pathways.
I interview people both alone and in groups, whether they are “old-timers” who can talk their organization’s early days and milestone moments with their challenges and triumphs, or relative “newbies” who will play their part in shaping the organization’s mission and messaging going forward.
PS: MARKETING and HR LOVE COMPANYLORE! Turn your organization’s interviews into a polished mini-doc that the marketing team can use to share the company’s all-important “story” to customers and investors.
Human Resources can use it as an effective on-boarding tool, where new employees can be inspired and motivated by the company’s unique heritage and mission. That’s great for everyone’s morale.
Our guarantee: do this and posterity and your present-day bottom line will thank you.
COURSES / WORKSHOPS “I Got Such Useful Info for Interviews – and for Life!”
For decades, I have taught the learners of every age how to conduct excellent oral history and legacy interviews themselves, but who lack may the knowledge, background or self-confidence to do so.
Using lectures, role playing and other exercises, we explore what oral history is, why it matters, and how to elicit and record authentic and meaningful interviews.
Participants learn how to establish rapport and pose neutral, open-ended questions. We discuss the use of memory aids and pre-interview preparation , that to help guide a conversation while also letting the client “lead.”
We also address nitty-gritty concerns such as how to use simple recording and equipment and other technical skills are also taught in a fun and accessible way.
My courses can be geared to students of almost any age or organizations such as history and community organizations, fellowship groups and families.
FEE: TBD according to the nature and scope of the project.
TRIBUTE INTERVIEWS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS “I’ll always remember the time he or she…”
FamilyLore offers clients a special, even “sacred” opportunity to celebrate and honor a friend or family member’s life by helping them to express and record whatever that person truly means to them.
What has been made possible in one’s own life if that loved one had never lived?
What impact or legacy will that person leave behind?
What will they be remembered for?
What will they not be remembered for?
These interviews can be done “one-on-one” or in a group, with or without the person present. They can be conducted in short bursts over Zoom, in the home or in a hospital or hospice.
FEE: $200 for first hour; $175 each add’l hour or part thereof. Special discounts for interviews that together total five hours or more.
INTERVIEWS AT LIFE’S TWILIGHT “A Parting Gift Like No Other.”
FamilyLore offers those in their final days a rare and profound opportunity to talk freely about their thoughts and feelings as they reflect on the life they’ve lived and on the meaning of life itself.
It is a fleeting moment to tell those funny and poignant stories, to review accomplishments achieved and challenges overcome and to give voice to the joys (and regrets) and to tell their loved ones and and descendant how they wish to be remembered.
The broadcast quality recordings can be duplicated endlessly and passed on as a legacy heirloom for future generations appreciate and enjoy. .
Note: Every Life’s Twilight interview can be sealed until a date at the storyteller’s discretion.
FEE: $200 for first hour; $175 each additional hour or part thereof.
Additional Services
MINI-INTERVIEWS AT GROUP EVENTS “Who Was There and What Did They Say?”
I am expert at establishing near-instant rapport and trust “on the fly with complete strangers at weddings, birthday parties, bar and mitzvas, retirement celebrations parties, wakes and other group gatherings. I can interview up to 40 guests for three to five minutes each at any of these events (and more).
For example, at a wedding, basic questions might be “what is one cherished memory you have of the bride/groom?” or “what is a blessing or bit of advice can you offer the couple on their wedding day?”
The final result is a unique and touching multi-person snapshot of the spirit of the day, to be enjoyed and shared now and over the years ahead. Two thumb drives with the interviews are included in the fee.
FEE: $350 per hour with two hour minimum, plus flat fee for travel time. Two thumb drives containing the interviews are included with the feel
EDITING & POST PRODUCTION SERVICES (AUDIO OR VIDEO) “Adam and His Crew Really Nailed It!”
FamilyLore offers a wide range of professional, editing, post-production services ranging from simple “clean-up” to edit out long pauses, “ums” and repeats, to arranging wide-ranging memories and stories according to a timeline or a theme.
We can also mix in music and photos and other images with sound bites.
Additionally, we are expert at rounding out an interview by inserting clips that occur to the client after the core interviews are complete. (A separate fee applies for follow-up recordings).
FEE: To be determined according to scope of the project.