Why do I need LifeTales? Why can’t I just record my grandmother myself?

You certainly can record your grandmother yourself and if you have no other option for capturing her personal history I would advise you to do so. However there are a number of reasons you will want to work with a personal historian.

Most importantly you know it will get done. So many of us intend to capture the stories of our elders and never quite get around to doing it.  A personal historian will set a schedule for interviews and production and will make sure the project is finished.

 Another reason to work with LifeTales is that we apply fresh listening to stories you’ve heard dozens of times. When you’re interviewing your grandmother about a familiar story you’re likely to fill in the blanks. You know what she means when she talks about “that place by the river” but future generations won’t. As a new listener I’ll ask her to be more specific about her stories.

A filmaker once spoke to me of his frustration that his mother would never go beyond what he already knew about her when he tried to interview her. That makes sense because most people have already decided what they are willing to tell family members. Talking to an “outsider” often allows them to reveal more and not worry about judgemental reactions.

At LifeTales we’ll listen to your grandmother’s stories, construct a narrative structure and edit the interview with sound and music so the final effect is easy, fun and thought provoking to hear. It’s a time consuming process but it’s our time, not yours and you will end up with a far more professional final than you could probably produce yourself.

When is the best time to do a LifeTale?

As we age it’s harder to access memories and can be more taxing to retell our stories.  One of the saddest phone calls I’ve received was a client calling one week before we were to start working with her father to say he had passed away unexpectedly. Her regret at not starting earlier was palpable.   So the the best answer about when to start is the sooner the better.

What’s involved in doing a LifeTale?

I’ll meet with you and your relative to discuss which stories are important to you to include on the CD. I won’t hear all the stories then but the information gained from our consultation allows me to structure the interview.  Within a week of the consultation I’ll do the interview(s) and then start editing. I may contact you for a little more information, clarification of facts, or in rare cases a re-interview if more material is needed.

How do I prepare to do a LifeTale?

Talk to your family about which stories are important to you to include in the LifeTale, gather some pictures spanning the storyteller’s lifetime, and find any old cassettes or videotapes that might relate to the stories.

Where will we do the taping?

We will do the taping in your home or another place of your choosing where you feel comfortable and able to relax.

How long does the taping take?

For a single person about 2 hours. For a couple each person is interviewed separately for about and hour and a half and then the couple together for about an hour.  The interview is usually completed in a single session for one person, two sessions for a couple.  It is possible to schedule extra interview sessions if necessary.

Can family members sit in to observe the interview?

No, except in extraordinary circumstances.  Apart from controlling sound sources that could dirty the recording, it’s important that the storyteller is comfortable and focussed entirely on the interviewer.

How much information do I tell you about myself?

The more you reveal about your emotions and reflections on your life the more significant your LifeTale will be for your loved ones.   However, you are the one in control.  You need reveal only what you feel comfortable talking about.

How do I decide what to tell you about my life?

Talk to your children and grandchildren about their favourite stories and think about the events in your life that have been most meaningful for you.  We will meet with you before the interview session to discuss your stories.

Why do you need pictures for an audio CD?

The pictures will be used to create a custom CD label and jewel case insert.

How long will it take to get the finished CD?

We will schedule the interview to start soon after our first meeting to discuss the stories you want to include.  The finished product will be ready 12 weeks from the date of the interview.

Can I get extra CDs for friends and family?

LifeTales provides all your stories in mp3 format as well as on CD so you can share them easily.  We will produce extra CDs at a cost of $20.00 each.

I have an old interview with my grandmother on cassette tape. Can you make a LifeTale out of that?

I could transcribe the interview and transfer it to a digital format but creating a LifeTale will be assessed on a case by case basis after reviewing the quality of the recording and quantity of material gathered.

I want to do a LifeTale but I don’t live on Vancouver Island.  Are you willing to travel to interview my parents?

LifeTales operates on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland of BC.  I am willing to travel farther afield at client expense.

Is there any way to start a personal history without doing a full LifeTale?

Absolutely. You can opt for a straight, unedited interview, or rough-edited interview. I’d be happy to discuss all your options. Please feel free to call me at 250.665.7837.

If you have other questions about LifeTales and personal historians please leave them in the comment box.