Legacy Films FAQ

What is a Legacy Film?

A Legacy Film is a professionally crafted personal storytelling video that captures a family member’s life story through an in-depth interview. At Legacy Films NJ, we create high-quality, cinematic family videos that preserve your family’s unique history. These films are typically between 90 minutes and 2.5 hours and can feature life experiences, family traditions, and cherished memories, ensuring your legacy is passed down for generations to come.

Who is the ideal candidate for a Legacy Film?

Legacy Films are ideal for individuals who wish to preserve their family’s history through video. While many people choose to have their stories documented after the age of 60, Legacy Films NJ works with families at all stages to capture personal stories. Whether you’re documenting life’s pivotal moments, creating an oral history film, or preserving family traditions, our team ensures every legacy is celebrated.

What questions do you ask?

Our Legacy Films feature a wide range of stories, from personal storytelling to family traditions. Many clients choose to include details about their family’s origins, key life events, cultural practices, or even military service. At Legacy Films NJ, we work closely with you to ensure your film highlights the moments most important to your family, whether it’s capturing a personal journey, family heritage, or legacy of love. I have a list of almost 100 questions to ask. When you schedule a Legacy Film, I send the questions and ask you to rate them on a scale of 0 to 3, with zero being a question that doesn’t apply and 3 being something you’d really like to talk about. Sometimes, there’s so much to share during the interview that we can't get to all of those questions, so rating them ahead of time helps us cover the most important topics first.

Can I add other questions to the list?

Absolutely! At Legacy Films NJ, we understand that your family’s story is unique. If you have specific questions or stories you’d like to include, just let us know! Our goal is to create a customized legacy film that truly reflects the life and experiences of your loved one. We'll tailor the interview to your needs, ensuring every important memory is captured.

What if you ask something I don’t want to talk about?

This is why I provide a list of questions ahead of time. I do not believe in ‘ambush interviews’ and we’re not digging for dirt. We’re only talking about topics you want to discuss. 

What if I say something I don’t want to be included in the final product?

If you say something that you’d rather not include, please let me know during or after the interview. This is your Legacy Films and we want you to be pleased with the final product.

What if I’m not good at speaking? What if I mess up?

Don’t worry! The Legacy Film interview process is designed to be relaxed and conversational. If you make a mistake or need to rephrase something, we can easily edit the film in post-production. We work to ensure your film flows naturally and authentically, so you don’t have to stress about perfection during the interview.

What is it like on the day of the interview?

On the day of the interview, I show up at your place with a lot of camera, audio, and lighting equipment. It takes about 90 minutes to set everything up, but during that time you’re not required to be in the room and can be doing other things - like going over the questions again. Once everything is set, the interview takes about 2.5 hours with a break in the middle. Afterward it takes another 30 minutes or so to break down the equipment and clean up. Altogether the process takes about 5 hours. 

How long does the interview take?

Once everything is set up, the interview takes about 2.5 hours with a break in the middle.

Can you customize your packages?

Yes! Please let us know what you have in mind and we’ll do our best to accommodate. I had a family who wanted to get everyone involved interviewing grandpa from the kids to the grandkids. The younger ones asked simple questions like: what’s your favorite ice cream? While the older ones asked the more detailed questions. Having the whole family be a part of the Legacy Film is a wonderful idea, but takes significantly more time to film and we do charge additionally depending upon the request.

Why should I record a Legacy Film instead of writing down the stories in a book?

While writing a book is a great way to preserve memories, Legacy Films offer a unique way to bring your family’s story to life. A video documentary captures not only the words but also the emotions, facial expressions, and voice of your loved one. This allows future generations to connect more deeply with the stories, creating an immersive experience. Legacy Films NJ offers an efficient and impactful way to preserve your family’s legacy for generations to come. Plus, it takes a long time to write a book, while a Legacy Film is recorded in a single afternoon.

What should I wear?

Wear something comfortable. With that said, white and black shirts and anything with small patterns do not look good on video. Solid colors look the best.

Can other people be in the room during the interview?

Yes, but other people can be a distraction. Sometimes, a family member will sit in a nearby room where they can still hear our conversation but can’t be seen. Or they run errands and check in every so often. Most times, though, it’s just myself and the person being interviewed.

In the final product, do we hear or see you asking the questions?


No. I will not be on camera. This story is all about you. I remove my voice from asking the questions and put up a title to read in the final product. However, sometimes a family member would like to be included in the process. If so, I have them read the questions and film them. This makes the experience more of a conversation than one-sided interview.

How do you deliver the Legacy Film?

We capture everything in 4K video and deliver the video files on 6 custom-designed USB thumb drives. These USB drives can be played back on most 4K Smart TVs and on all macs or PC’s with a USB port. We provide 6 USB drives to pass out to the family, more can be ordered at a cost of $25 per custom-designed drive. The great thing about delivering on USB is that they are easy to duplicate and can be done on any Mac or PC. Having the digital files this way is so much easier since the era of the DVD has passed! They belong in the museum beside the 8-track player and 16mm film.

Where is the interview filmed?

In the comfort of your own home! In some rare cases, we may find another filming location, but most people prefer to film in their own home.

How far do you travel?

I live in South Jersey and will travel within 100 miles of the Delaware Valley. I will travel further but may need to charge for travel expenses.

After filming, how long does it take for the video to be finished?

Approximately 3-4 weeks.

What forms of payment do you accept?

I accept cash, personal checks, Venmo, and PayPal. I do not need a deposit ahead of time, however, I do require the full payment on the day of recording of the Legacy Film.