St. Louis, MO – April 4, 2023 - Every family has a unique story to tell. Whether it's the story of how your ancestors immigrated to a new country, the tale of your parents' love story, or the chronicle of your family's accomplishments and challenges over the years, your family's history is a treasure trove of memories and experiences that should be preserved for future generations. One of the best ways to do this is by creating a family documentary.

A family documentary is a professional film that tells the story of your family in an engaging and compelling way. It's a great way to preserve your family's history and pass it down to future generations. In this post, we'll provide some tips on how to create a high-quality family documentary that tells your family's story in an engaging way.

1 Start with a Story

Every great documentary starts with a story. Think about what story you want to tell about your family. What are the key events, people, and experiences that have shaped your family's history? Start by creating a rough outline of the story you want to tell. This will help you organize your thoughts and structure your documentary.

2 Use Archival Footage and Photographs

One of the best ways to make your family documentary engaging is by incorporating archival footage and photographs. These can help bring your family's history to life and give your viewers a glimpse into the past. Dig through your family's photo albums and archives to find old photographs, letters, and other memorabilia that can be used in your documentary.

3 Conduct Interviews with Family Members

Another key element of a great family documentary is interviews with family members. These can provide valuable insights and perspectives on your family's history. Choose family members who are willing to share their stories and memories, and make sure to record their interviews in a quiet and well-lit location.

4 Organize the Narrative

Once you have all of your footage and interviews, it's time to organize the narrative of your documentary. Start by creating a rough outline of the story you want to tell. This will help you structure your documentary and ensure that it flows smoothly from one segment to the next. Make sure to include a clear introduction, body, and conclusion that ties everything together.

5 Consider Hiring a Professional Filmmaker

While it's certainly possible to create a family documentary on your own, hiring a professional filmmaker can help take your documentary to the next level. A professional filmmaker can provide valuable insights and expertise on the storytelling process, as well as help with technical aspects like lighting, sound, and editing.

When it comes time to share your film, you should rent a theater and make an event of it. Telling a great story on screen can be a great way to bring people together through a shared experience. The premiere of your family documentary can be a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories and a deeper bond within your family.

Creating a family documentary is a great way to preserve your family's history and pass it down to future generations. By using archival footage and photographs, conducting interviews with family members, and organizing the narrative of your documentary, you can create a high-quality film that tells your family's story in an engaging and compelling way. Whether you choose to create your documentary on your own or hire a professional filmmaker, the most important thing is to start telling your family's story today.

We would be happy to help you develop your strategyfor telling your story on screen. You can book a FREE – no obligation storytelling strategy session with me.During a one-hour zoom call, I’ll ask about what you want to accomplish and lay a variety of smart options that fit your goals and budget. What are you waiting for? It is time for you to #OwnYourStory and get #STORYSMART with your family’s story.

-- Ron Watermon with Ghostwriting assistance from a ChatGPT

About STORYSMART

You have a story to bring to the screen, but you don't have the time or resources to do it yourself. Telling your story well with video can be hard. And let’s be brutally honest. No app will turn you into a great filmmaker. Few can produce a do-it-yourself (DIY) video or film we actually want to watch, much less remember.

To do justice to your story on screen, you need the right skills and equipment, not to mention time, money and talent.

That is why STORYSMART developed our premium video storytelling as a service. We help clients tell their story in the amazing way they deserve with a proprietary done-for-you video storytelling service unlike any other.

STORYSMART provides a nationwide premium video storytelling service that empowers clients to have their stories told professionally while retaining their intellectual property rights as though they did it themselves.

About Ron Watermon

Ron Watermon is the founder and CEO of STORYSMART, a premium video storytelling technology startup that empowers anyone to have their stories told professionally while ensuring they retain the intellectual property rights on their productions.

A creative and innovative communications leader with nearly three decades of experience, prior to founding STORYSMART, Ron was responsible for modernizing the St. Louis Cardinals communications by leading the team’s investment in video storytelling, brand journalism, fan engagement and social media.