AS TOLD BY THOSE
WHO HAVE LIVED IT!
Learn to Capture your Family's Stories
In a Way That Only Video Can
What is a Living Legacy?
Legacy is something left by ancestors or predecessors for those they leave behind. More often it is a gift of money or other property assets by means of a will. Living legacy simply means the gift is from someone who is alive. With Living Legacy Experience the gift is the oral history from your elderly loved ones, the stories that comprise your family’s history.
People who tell their stories not only want to share but they want to remember, and they want you to remember too. It’s really sort of flattering if you think about it because when they share experiences, they are giving you part of themselves. That’s an impressive and important legacy..
You Don’t Need to Be a Filmmaker to Create a Living Legacy
You don’t need fancy equipment or years of experience.
Just a desire to preserve stories that matter.
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You already know the storytellers — that personal connection leads to more meaningful, authentic stories.
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You might have some of the gear you'll need already — and we'll walk you through the rest.
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You don’t need a studio — we provide simple tips for lighting, audio, and setting up a comfortable space.
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No experience required — everything is broken down step-by-step, with clear instructions from start to finish.
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Interviewing is made easy — we give you proven prompts and conversation starters to guide powerful moments.
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Visual learners welcome — templates, checklists, and real-world examples make each step approachable.
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You’re not alone — whether you choose the self-paced or guided option, support is built into the process.
Crafting your Legacy: What's inside?
Discover why preserving family stories matters and how intentional storytelling can outlast fleeting digital moments.
Learn how to choose the right camera, audio, and lighting gear—no experience or expensive equipment required.
Turn memories into meaningful narratives using photos, heirlooms, music, and a flexible story structure.
Set the stage for powerful interviews with tips on location, framing, lighting, and capturing clean sound.
Ask the right questions, listen deeply, and guide heartfelt conversations that bring stories to life.
Bring everything together through simple, effective video editing techniques—even if you’ve never edited before.
Bring your story to life as you dive into hands-on editing—cutting, arranging, and enhancing your footage with titles, music, and effects in Premiere Elements.
Course Overview
Act 1
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Introduces the emotional and cultural importance of preserving family stories through video, emphasizing storytelling as a living gift.
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Explores how oral history connects us across generations and contrasts deeply with fleeting digital content.
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Highlights modern challenges like social media’s short attention span, information overload, and the myth of effortless, high-quality content
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Underscores the importance of thoughtful planning and preparation in producing meaningful, heirloom-quality videos.
Act 2
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Introduces the core gear needed for recording family history videos, including cameras, microphones, lighting, and tripods.
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Compares equipment options—from smartphones to DSLRs—helping participants choose what fits their budget and goals.
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Breaks down microphone types and sound quality essentials, and the importance of proper audio capture for interviews.
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Offers lighting strategies using practical home setups, creative DIY methods, or prosumer equipment to elevate video quality.
Act 3
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Build a powerful narrative by combining photos, heirlooms, music, and memories into a cohesive story.
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Use storyboarding tools like sticky notes and grids to shape and organize your video.
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Add emotional depth with portraits, timelines, and context that enrich your family’s story.
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Integrate digitized keepsakes—home movies, baby books, and scrapbooks—for nostalgia and authenticity.
Act 4
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Choose a location that sets the mood, limits distractions, and makes your subject feel at ease.
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Learn framing and composition basics to capture clean, professional shots.
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Understand key lighting techniques, like Three-Point Lighting, and how to adapt to natural or indoor light.
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Use the right mic and placement to ensure clear, high-quality audio for compelling storytelling.
Act 5
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Prepare with a clear story plan, gear setup, and strategy to guide a meaningful interview.
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Ask thoughtful questions that explore family, emotion, and history.
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Guide the session gently, cueing your subject and choosing your on/off-camera role.
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Listen actively to stay flexible and capture powerful, real moments.
Act 6
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Learn basic editing terms and pick the right software for your goals and setup.
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Explore gear and storage tips for editing on a budget.
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Organize your files smartly with clear folders and labels.
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Understand the full editing flow—importing, trimming, sequencing, and adding effects.
Act 7
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Import and organize media with folders, bins, and clear labels for smooth editing.
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Trim and arrange clips using timeline tools to shape your story.
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Layer audio tracks and adjust volume with keyframes for clean sound.
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Add polish with titles and effects like pan-zoom, tint, and shake reduction.
In this course you will learn how to:
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Explain the "Why" behind doing a family history video
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Get "Buy-In" from your loved ones
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Determine the equipment you need and where to find it
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Learn and apply the foundations of story-building
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Frame the scene, light, and record clean audio during production
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Choose the right questions to ask
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Manage the art of the interview
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Choose and use the appropriate editing software for your project
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And more
Meet the Team
The Living Legacy Video Experience team has combined to produce over 300 family history videos since the 1980's.
If you have additional questions
