A Start-to-Finish Checklist for Creating Your Own Legacy Video
Here's what to know before embarking on this journey.
The Three Stages of A Legacy Video
When creating any type of video there are three stages the video will travel through and a legacy video is no exception:
- Stage One: Pre-Production (the planning stage)
- Stage Two: Production (when the filming takes place)
- Stage Three: Post-Production (editing the contents altogether)
This article will take you through all the big and small details you’ll need to create your very own legacy video.
What To Plan For With Your Legacy Video
The planning stage of a legacy video will in all likelihood be the most time-consuming area. You’re going to make decisions on what topics and content to include, how and where you’re going to be filming all of this, and many more aspects.
a) Identify the subject of the legacy video
This is the easiest step. Who is this legacy video about?
b) Identify what questions and topics you want the legacy video to cover
This step can be the most stressful. The thought of not addressing an important topic always seems to linger in the back of the mind. It’s hard to pin down exactly what to include and what can be left out. We have an article that fully addresses how to identify what content should be covered in your legacy video. Here’s a link.
c) Plan out the logistics
Plan out what locations you’re going to be filming at and the challenges that may accompany locations (lack of plug-in power, noisy environment, lighting changes, etc.). Make sure you know who you’re going to be interviewing. Think about the time of day you’re going to be filming (this is especially relevant if any content is being shot outside or if you’re planning on using window light. Take note of whether it is supposed to rain or be cloudy).
d) Identify what camera you’ll use
If you own a prosumer camera like a DSLR or mirrorless camera, then you’ll have a great advantage here. If you’re electing to record using your phone make sure you have enough memory to record all the content you need. Modern phones can record at super high bitrates, which over extended periods of time take up gigabytes and gigabytes of memory. Or perhaps you may rent a camera or borrow a camera from a friend.
With all of these options, make sure you use a tripod. Shaky handheld footage will not be a pleasant viewing experience.
e) Identify what you’ll use to capture audio
Having clean, crisp audio is often the most important part of a video. Plan accordingly. Consider buying a clip-on lavalier microphone or renting one. If you’re going to invest into one thing, have it be your audio.
f) Decide how and what you’re going to use to light the scenes
Masterfully lighting scenes can take a lifetime to learn. So, to minimize headaches I’d recommend using a basic three-point lighting setup using lamps or light fixtures from home. Or if you have windows that let significant light in the house, you could place your subject in close proximity to them. Please note that this can be a bit risky if it’s a cloudy day because when the clouds cover the sun the exposure on your camera will drop. This will make your subject difficult to see. If you do end up using your own lights, make sure they are the same color temperature. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin. Some lights are warmer/more orange (3200k) and some are cooler/bluer (5600k). If you have questions on this, here is a link to a 3-point lighting guide.
g) Decide what and whether you’re going to include b-roll
B-roll is content that is shown over the main action of a scene. For example, say you’re interviewing a family member and they bring up their parents. It may help tell the story by showing a picture of the parent’s so the viewer can see who is being referenced. Typical b-roll content for a legacy video are family photos, family videos, scrapbooks, childhood home, workplace, locations significant to the subject’s life, and items significant to the subject’s life. The B-roll will help tell the story and make for a more interesting video. So we recommend having b-roll to show.
h) Pick an editing software
If you’ve never edited a video this is a big task. Don’t lose hope though! The good thing with video and video editing is you can learn it online. Watch some overview tutorials that cover the basics of the editing software you pick out.
If you’re an Apple owner, iMove is a user-friendly program that will be relatively quick to learn. There’s limitations on functionality but for a legacy video advanced features aren’t typically needed. If you are a Windows user the choice is less obvious. There are many free editing softwares available but free editing software often causes headaches. Much of times it’s more efficient to purchase a modestly priced editing software ($60-$100). Here are two articles looking into the best free video editing software and the best overall video editing software.
i) Ensure computer compatibly with editing software and test out speed
A likely technical limitation you could face is a slow computer. This probably isn’t the case if you’re on a computer that was built in the last handful of years. However, even some modern computers won’t be able to handle HD or 4k footage shot from an iPhone or Android. The file size and the data speed can bog down all sorts of systems. So, we recommend you download the editing software you’ve picked out and some high-resolution footage from Pexels or Pixabay (it’s free). See how your computer does playing through footage on the timeline and then play around by dropping some graphics on the frame or making cuts and adding effects to the video. Export a test version to see how your system does rendering out a completed project.
If your computer is too slow there are basically two options. You can shoot your video at a lower resolution, this compromises the video quality but makes it so you can edit it. Or you could upgrade your computer to something with higher specs. Borrowing someone’s computer may also work but keep in mind that legacy videos can take dozens of hours to edit, so the person has to be okay with the computer being occupied for a significant amount of time. If you end up purchasing higher-end editing software you may have the option to create proxy files which are compressed video files that are designed to be edited more efficiently. This way may you won’t have to upgrade your computer.
j) Develop a process to transfer the files from the camera to your computer (back up your files too)
There are few things more frustrating than putting copious amounts of time and money into creating a video and then having issues getting that video onto your computer to edit. That’s why you’re going to plan and test exactly how you will “offload” your footage and your audio to a computer. If you’re filming from a DSLR or mirrorless camera you will most likely be recording on an SD card. Pick up an SD card reader that is USB or USB-C (most computers use one of these inputs). When you plugin your card reader with the SD card to the computer, import options will typically pop up. Drag and drop the files onto the computer.
If you’re using a smartphone to record, you’ll typically be able to use the cable that charges the phone to connect it to a computer. Please note there can be some compatibility issues if you’re using an Android and you’re transferring videos to an Apple computer.
Another option would be to upload your videos to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) and then download them on your computer. This is the slowest way to transfer files and may require you to purchase a lot of cloud storage space. However, it’s the most universal way of transferring files. Tip: It’s always smart to back up your files, especially with a project this important. Purchasing an external hard drive or memory stick and transferring files on there is a wise decision.
k) Plan for how you’re going to conduct the interview and factor in breaks
Being a proficient interviewer is a vital skill for a legacy video. Making sure the respondent is comfortable and has the questions ahead of time will lead to a much smoother interview with more full answers. There are different techniques to draw answers out, some people will show a person a picture/scrapbook or take them to a significant location. The most useful skill is to be a good listener and ask follow-up questions.
Filming over long days can be exhausting, oftentimes it’s difficult for someone to be interviewed for more than 1 hour without a break. If you have hours of content you are capturing make sure to plan breaks so your subject and yourself can refresh.
l) Prepare the people who will be interviewed
Prepare the people who are a part of this video. Give them the interview questions ahead of time so they can think about their responses. Ask them to have a couple of different outfits ready so you can get the best look for the video. Let them know how long the interview will be. See if they have any questions about the process.
What To Know When It's Time To Film
Production day is when everything you’ve planned comes together. It’s where the filming takes place.
a) Gather and organize gear
One of the easiest and most common mistakes to make is to forget a piece of gear. It’s a good idea to organize the gear you’ll need for filming the night before.
b) Arrive on location (early)
I hope this one is self-explanatory. You can’t film anything if you aren’t at the location you’re supposed to be filming at. And always give yourself ample time to set up. My general guideline is to factor in 30-60 minutes for setup.
c) Plan out placement of your shots
The first thing to do once you arrive on set is figure out where exactly you want to film. It’s boring if you put your subject in front of a white wall. Instead try to pick a place that maximizes the depth of the environment.
Let’s say you were filming in a square living room, a good go-to idea would be to place your subject in a chair in the center of the room. Then place your camera in one of the corners. Pick a background that you deem as the most visually appealing or relevant to the subject. You may even ask the subject to sit closer to the camera so it’s a more intimate shot but you can still see the room.
d) Set up the lighting
Lighting can often be very finicky. There is often a process of placing a light and adjusting its direction, brightness, harshness, color, and spill. The most important part is to make sure your subject is properly exposed. You want to be able to see them easily when you look at the screen. Also, make sure they are separated from the background, meaning if it’s a dark background ask them to wear a light shirt. These are the two biggest concerns to have.
e) Set up audio and get your subject comfortable
Now, it is time to get your audio set up. If you’re using a lavalier microphone, give a demonstration on how to put it on and then give the individual the option to put it on themselves or ask if they would like help.
Make sure your subject is comfortable before you start filming. Ask casual warm-up questions like “What’s your perfect day look like?” or “What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you?” Take time to warm up and see if they need something to drink or a pillow to sit on. We want the individual to have as few nerves as possible. Recording can be an intimidating thing so make sure to reassure them that if they mess up it’s not a big deal and they can go back and reword what they were saying.
f) Start recording video and audio
It’s happened to every videographer before. We forgot to hit the record button. Or maybe we hit the record button twice and the video stopped recording. Triple-check you’re recording before you start the interview, and if something in the scene changes don’t be afraid to pause to remedy the situation. Also, if the interviewee stumbles through a question don’t be afraid to ask them to restate their answer. Keep in mind the end product and try to look past the momentarily uncomfortability of asking someone to redo something.
g) Be a good interviewer
Interviewing is a soft skill that is not natural to most people. To become a better interviewer for videos, put yourself in the mind of the viewer. Pose open-ended questions and have the interviewee respond by making sure to give context to their answer.
Example of a response without context: Question: What is your favorite restaurant? Answer: McDonald’s
Example of a response with context: Question: What is your favorite restaurant? Answer: My favorite restaurant is McDonald’s.
The viewer needs to be in the know of the context of the questions being asked otherwise what’s being talked about won’t make sense. Also, make sure to bring a physical list of questions and topics to go over.
h) Plan for the long haul
Thorough video shoots often take much longer than initially expected. Have a sufficient amount of batteries, memory cards, plan breaks, bring snacks etc.
i) Shoot b-roll
Take the opportunity to shoot b-roll. This is additional footage that will help tell the story.
j) Offload footage
After you complete the shoot, pack up and go offload the footage. Offloading footage is simply transferring footage from your camera’s memory card to a hard drive or computer you’ll be editing from.
When It's Time To Edit Everything Together
Post-production is where all the content is edited together to create the legacy video. This includes aspects like sound design, graphics, linking video with audio, etc.
a) Import your footage
You’ll need to bring your footage into the software you will be editing from. This is called importing. Import every piece of footage you plan on using.
b) Organize footage
Separate video files from audio files. Separate interviews from each other with different folders. Place your assets (music, photos, family videos, etc.) into different folders. This is going to help keep things tidy so there isn’t confusion. I wouldn’t do this when I first started editing and now I do it religiously because of how much smoother it makes the whole process.
c) Put together a rough outline of the video
Start putting pieces of the video on a timeline to get a sense for how the video will unfold. Make sure to link your footage and audio together. Then go through it and start making edits. Trim places where there is an extended silence. Trim places that feel awkward or maybe the interviewee repeated information. Try to make the subject look as good as possible.
d) Plan and implement sound design for the selected sections (optional)
Categorize the chapters in the video and think about what emotion you want the viewer to be feeling. You may want to evoke a feeling of joy or thankfulness when a subject talks. So, you decide to put uplifting music underneath to help communicate that. about This may be a little advanced so this is an optional step. If you do this you’ll want to make sure you’re not using copyrighted music, so find some royalty-free music out there.
e) Refine the scenes
Start refining the scenes. Get nitty gritty with where your cuts are or how much or little of the presented information you want to keep in. Once you finish this part you will have a solid skeleton to build off of.
f) Start to add b-roll photos or videos (optional)
Here’s another optional step. If you’re going to spice up this legacy video with b-roll, start adding it after you have a decent idea of what most of the content will look and sound like.
g) Create graphics and transitions
Graphics and transitions can be an absolute pain. Luckily there are many free templates with pre-built graphic templates out there. Most editing softwares include some of these. This will be the most efficient option. For transitions, it’s a good idea to stick to fades.
h) Review video
It’s a good idea to review your video to see how it looks and feels as a whole. When we’re editing we focus on parts and scenes and we aren’t focused on the video as a complete package. So, when we review a video from start to finish it will help us identify places that don’t fit right or need changes to make it flow more smoothly.
i) Make corrections
Implement the changes you identified when you reviewed the video and finish placing or creating b-roll.
j) Finalize sound design and mix (optional)
Sound design can be an extensive process of tweaking and trial and error. That’s why it’s advised to do this step last. From personal experience, I’ve spent dozens of hours over the course of my camera creating dynamic sound beds that eventually were scraped completely. This was because the scenes or parts of the video that the mix was created for were completely scraped.
k) Color grade footage (optional)
This is more on the advanced side of things but if you want to “bring your video to life” you can adjust the color, contrast, and other visuals to it. However, most videos that are recorded will already have a significant amount of color coming from the built-in color profile so this may be superfluous.
l) Visual effects (optional)
We don’t recommend VFXs. They are sparingly, if ever used in a legacy video. They require complex software. A certain situation may present itself where a VFX would help move or enhance the overall video and if that occurs you can find freelance VFX artists. They are normally pretty expensive so if your goal is to save money by creating your own legacy video, reconsider adding any visual effects. You can always self-educate yourself by watching visual effect tutorials online if you’re interested in learning.
m) Export and review with a friend or family member
This is a critical step. It’s useful to show your legacy video to someone else and see what they think of it. We are the creators of the video, we are communicating through video. We want the message to be understood and well received. See if they enjoyed it. Ask specific questions like “What was the most interesting part?”, “Were you bored or losing interest?”, “Did you get a good understanding of the subject’s life?”, “Do you feel like you know the subject after watching this?”, “Were there parts that you would cut out or change?” If someone doesn’t have the time to watch the whole video then select a portion of the most significant part and show them that.
n) Create a list of revisions to make and implement those changes
Write down the feedback and implement those changes. Now, there is a caveat. Sometimes bad feedback is given. Weigh what is being said and see why they say what they are saying.
o) Re-export and back up your file
This should be the last time (fingers crossed) you export the video. Make sure to save multiple copies of it on physical hard drives and on the cloud.
Congratulations! You have finished creating a legacy video!
You’ve done so well on your journey to create a legacy video! Take a breath, go outside, enjoy the fact that you’ve helped honor someone and preserve history for a family.
Watch An Example
Here’s a legacy video we did on behalf of a young man named Spencer. Spencer was diagnosed with encephalitis when he was a child. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain, this delayed Spencer’s mental development significantly. After a decade his encephalitis worsened leaving him in conditions where the family feared he might pass away.
They contacted Midwest Legacy Films to create a video that preserved precious moments from Spencer’s life and his impact on friends, family, and classmates. They also wanted something to show at Spencer’s celebration of life service.
Next Steps
If you’re interested in creating a legacy video, you can give us a call at 612-564-2157 or you can fill out the contact form below and we will reach out to you.
