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Not in In 10 years, one in five Americans will Over 65 years old. As our parents and grandparents get older, we will get closer and closer to losing the opportunity to study and experience life. The good news is that with the various recording options available, you don’t have to be an award-winning filmmaker or videographer to preserve the history of your loved ones.
Throughout our childhood in the Midwest, my brothers and sisters and I wanted to learn more about relatives who were killed in the atrocities of World War II. We are eager to discover the details of our father’s life during the war, but at the same time, none of us want to make him sad through painful memories. In addition, my mother is determined not to raise this topic.
Soon after his 91st birthday, I asked my father if he would let me film stories about his experience during the Holocaust. The footage I recorded with GoPro was clear, but the background audio hissed like a rattlesnake. In subsequent recordings, I relied on my iPhone to capture more memories. Since then, I have discovered some strategies and resources for shooting other films.
getting Started
First, don’t assume that your subject will agree to an interview. Last year, I asked my mother to let me record her life story. Her response? “No. I have nothing to say.” As it turned out, her attitude was common.
“Sometimes you will find someone saying,’Nobody wants to hear my story,'” said Kate Carter, the founder and CEO of Movies. Chronicle of Life, This is a non-profit organization that records the life history of elderly and seriously ill patients. She suggested saying to a loved one: “This is of great significance to me and the children and grandchildren of our family.” By telling the family, it reduces the pressure on those who are asked to share memories.
OK: video, audio or both
The visual record is more fascinating, allowing you to view the subject’s expression, but not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera. Consider the combination of audio and video recording. When I asked my father questions, such as “What did you want to do when you were young?” I patted him. When he shared his thoughts about getting old and his feelings about death, I used my voice app. After I described what he had dreamed of, I finally saw his family members and dreamed that he pointed his mobile phone at him. It was so annoying. No matter which method you choose, the goal is the same: to retain the thoughts and stories of the loved one.
Choose the equipment that suits you
When I switched to the iPhone, I didn’t expect to impress it. Considering that some production companies and recorders use smartphones to shoot their projects, I think why not do this? The main advantages of using smartphones are cost, simplicity and convenience. I don’t know when my father will share a story I have never heard before. The more time I spent on him, the more questions I asked, which turned several visits into impromptu recording meetings.I could have used Action camera Again, this time I used a loose microphone or rented a professional camera, but I insisted on using an iPhone. After all, the best camera is one that you carry with you and know how to use it.
Use a tripod to keep the phone or camera steady, and shoot horizontally (landscape) to avoid leaving space on both sides of the frame. Until I asked for the advice of Randy Martin, director and host of AMS Pictures in Dallas, I hadn’t considered using earbuds with a smartphone. Martin also recommends that you touch the screen when focusing on the subject’s face so that the phone knows that it is your focus. He said: “Once they see it, they will show their faces and it doesn’t look like they are in the witness protection plan.”
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