An audio-visual digital memoir is a dedicated website combining audio vignettes, meaningful photographs and other images. The personal historian conducts a series of short audio interviews, recording a client’s memories reflecting upon photographs and mementos the personal historian and client carefully choose together, such as family photos, family trees, and other documents. The personal historian crafts an interactive website, unique to each client, to showcase the digital memoir. Why choose audio-visual digital memoirs? Audio-visual digital memoirs offer an immersive, unique and interactive web-based experience of someone’s life. If you find yourself drawn to online experiences, this medium might be the one best suited for you. The digital presentation can easily be accessed and shared with family and friends simply by visiting the web address of the personal legacy website. Most importantly, the voice will be preserved, bringing the stories to life. The family photos, other mementos and voice that many family members often wish they had will be a lasting precious legacy. Final Product Based on your ideas and wishes, the personal historian of your choice will craft a high-quality, modern and easy-to-navigate website that tells your life story through voice and images. The memoir could be yours, or you may be hiring a personal historian to interview a loved one. A simple click brings forth the voice of the storyteller describing his or her memories, and the listener will feel as if the storyteller is telling their stories in real life. The immediacy of the experience—hearing laughter, the kindness in the voice, and that very special way of telling stories—makes it all come alive.
Audio-Visual Digital Pricing As with all other personal history products, rates vary widely, depending upon length and number of interviews, the total number of photographs and other mementos included, and possible inclusion of others to be interviewed. The personal historian will create a contract that specifies the agreed-upon website design and costs. PHNN does not suggest or provide pricing information, leaving this to each individual personal historian.
What to look for in a personal historian who creates audio-visual digital memoirs?
Interviewing skills: Proven interviewing skills and some training in oral history techniques. Listen to some recordings your prospective PH has made. Professional equipment. Unless you are doing this impromptu and have to record on a phone, make sure your audio historian has a high-quality tape recorder AND a backup recorder in case the first line fails (it happens), plus an excellent microphone. References. Ask for references and look for testimonials on the PH’s website. Comfort is key. Do you feel at ease telling the PH about your life and your family stories?