The Art of Storytelling

Ron Watermon • June 4, 2023

Preserving Oral History Through Video Interviews

St. Louis, MO – June 4, 2023 - Imagine sitting with your loved ones, listening intently as they share stories from their past—tales of joy, triumph, and resilience. These stories hold within them the essence of who they are, their heritage, and the experiences that have shaped them.

As a family, you understand the importance of preserving these cherished memories for future generations. In the digital age, video interviews have emerged as a powerful tool for capturing and preserving oral history, allowing you to safeguard your loved ones' legacies for years to come.


1. The Power of Oral History

Oral history is the living, breathing tapestry that connects us to our roots. It holds the key to understanding our cultural heritage, family traditions, and the struggles and triumphs of those who came before us. Unlike written records, oral history captures the emotions, nuances, and personal connections that bring history to life. By preserving these stories through video interviews, you ensure that your loved one's unique narrative is shared and celebrated, fostering a sense of identity and belonging within your family.


2. Evolution of Oral History Preservation

Traditionally, oral history has been captured through written transcripts, audio recordings, and photographs. While these methods have their merits, they often fail to capture the full depth of the storyteller's experiences. With video interviews, you have the opportunity to transcend the limitations of other mediums and capture the essence of the narrative through visual and auditory means. The storyteller's gestures, expressions, and intonations add a richness and authenticity that written words alone cannot convey.


3. Benefits of Video Interviews

Video interviews offer several unique advantages when it comes to preserving your loved one's legacy. Firstly, the visual impact of seeing and hearing the storyteller creates a more profound connection, immersing you in their world. You witness their expressions, the sparkle in their eyes, and the emotions that accompany each recollection. Additionally, video interviews capture non-verbal communication, such as gestures and body language, which adds depth and context to the narrative, making it more engaging and relatable.


4. Techniques for Conducting Effective Video Interviews

To ensure the success of your video interviews, it is essential to create a comfortable and conducive environment. Choose a quiet and familiar location where your loved one feels at ease. Establish rapport by actively listening and asking open-ended questions that encourage them to share meaningful experiences. Remember to be culturally sensitive and respectful, allowing the storyteller to navigate their narrative in a way that feels authentic and true to their own experiences.


5. Technology and Tools

The beauty of preserving oral history through video interviews in today's digital age is the accessibility and affordability of the required technology. Many smartphones, tablets, and cameras come equipped with high-quality video recording capabilities. Additionally, there are user-friendly tools and software available for capturing, editing, and sharing video interviews. You don't need to be a professional filmmaker to create compelling and meaningful content.


6. Preserving and Sharing Video Interviews

Once you have recorded your video interviews, it is vital to preserve them properly to ensure their longevity. Consider archiving them in digital repositories, local museums, or community organizations dedicated to preserving oral history. Furthermore, take advantage of online platforms and social media to share and disseminate these interviews within your family and beyond. By sharing your loved one's stories, you contribute to a collective narrative that strengthens the bond between generations.


7. Impact and Future Possibilities

Preserving your loved one's legacy through video interviews has a profound impact on your family and future generations. It creates a bridge between the past, present, and future, allowing younger members of the family to connect with their heritage and gain a deeper understanding of their roots

As technology continues to advance, the future holds exciting possibilities, such as artificial intelligence-assisted transcription and translation, making video interviews even more accessible and inclusive.


What Are You Waiting For?

Preserving the legacy of your loved ones through video interviews is an act of love and a celebration of their unique story. By capturing their experiences, traditions, and personal insights, you create a lasting tribute that will be treasured for generations. Embrace the art of storytelling, harness the power of video interviews, and embark on a journey to preserve the oral history that holds the heart and soul of your family's heritage.

You have numerous ways in which you can go about investing in a legacy interview. You can go the DIY (Do It Yourself) route or hire a professional to help. We would love to help you figure out what makes the most sense for you and your family.

You have an open invitation from me to do a FREE consultation where I’ll walk you through various options.

Don’t let time get away from you. Preserve your family’s legacy now.

-- Ron Watermon , with Ghostwriting Assistance from ChatGPT


About STORYSMART®

Nothing is more enduring than a beautiful film that brings a story alive on screen and in our hearts. Great stories demand nothing less than cinematic Hollywood-quality storytelling. STORYSMART® specializes in helping public figures such as professional athletes, entertainers, former elected officials and celebrities make the most of their story using a proprietary approach that blends Hollywood-style cinematic storytelling with museum-like collection curation and story-focused brand licensing.

STORYSMART® provides Hollywood Quality filmmaking and storytelling consulting services, functioning as a high-end work-for-hire ghostwriting service specializing in cinematic storytelling rather than being limited to traditional book publishing (hint - you can do both if your are smart about your storytelling derivative rights). STORYSMART® services range from story preservation digital archive services like those used by Oprah Winfrey, Bon Jovi and Billy Graham, to story development, screenwriting, licensing, and professional documentary filmmaking.

STORYSMART® is ideal for clients interested in controlling and monetizing their own storytelling through story-based media production, publishing, and merchandising.

Learn more about our customized white glove approach and book your FREE CONFIDENTIAL consultation at storysmart.net

Filmmaking For ALL™ My Own Story™ Storytelling For ALL™

About Ron Watermon

Ron Watermon is the founder and CEO of STORYSMART, a nationwide premium filmmaking and video storytelling service that empowers clients to have their stories professionally produced by experienced Filmmakers while retaining their intellectual property rights.

A creative and innovative communications leader with nearly three decades of experience, prior to founding STORYSMART, Ron spent 18 MLB seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals where he was responsible for modernizing the team's communications by leading their investment in video storytelling, brand journalism, fan engagement and social media.

The Real Story Behind The Sopranos

By Ron Watermon • June 15, 2026
How David Chase Turned Family Pain Into One of the Greatest Shows of All Time

The Real Story Behind The Wire

By Ron Watermon • June 2, 2026
The Wire Wasn't Just Invented. It Was Reported.

Making Steak on a Hamburger Budget

By Ron Watermon • May 30, 2026
Filmmaking for ALL™ Lesson One

Who Gets to Profit From a True Story?

By Ron Watermon • May 24, 2026
Exploring the Ethical Tensions of Investment and Profit Sharing in Documentary Filmmaking

The Real Story Behind Michael

By Ron Watermon • May 19, 2026
What the Michael Jackson Biopic Teaches Us About Storytelling

From Amityville to The Exorcist

By Ron Watermon • May 5, 2026
Why "True Story" Horror is So Profitable

The Cobbler's Son Finally Gets Shoes

By Ron Watermon • May 1, 2026
Why I'm Changing How I (and STORYSMART®) Tell Stories

MEDIA LENS: From Rescue Mission to Movie Deal

By Ron Watermon • April 26, 2026
How a Story of a U.S. Airman Shot Down in Iran is Already Becoming a Feature Film

From Shoebox to Screenplay

By Ron Watermon • April 21, 2026
Turning Photos into Cinematic Storytelling Assets

From Brand Storytelling to Owned Media

By Ron Watermon • April 7, 2026
There are moments in your career that don’t feel particularly significant at the time, but years later, you realize they changed everything. The television show we started when I was with the St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals Insider, is now heading into its 11th season. In an industry where most things don’t last, there’s something meaningful about building something that endures. While I've already shared the story of how the show almost didn’t happen, what’s been on my mind recently is what we were doing before it ever aired. For me the show was never the starting point, it was a destination on a journey that began seventeen years ago when I decided to fully commit to becoming a brand journalist. A Baseball Brand Journalist When I moved over to the Baseball Operations Department to work with our Media Relations team in September 2009, the media landscape looked very different than it does today. Social media was still in its infancy. We had exactly one platform we controlled, Twitter, and even that was a bit of a mess. Our account was @MLBstlcardinals, while Major League Baseball operated @stlcardinals out of New York. It was confusing for fans and limiting for us. But it also created an opportunity. Instead of waiting for others to tell our story, we decided to start telling it ourselves. Not as marketers, but as actual storytellers. More specifically, we adopted a mindset rooted in journalism. The fundamentals I learned years earlier in college—who, what, when, where, why, and how. The discipline of getting it right. The importance of clarity, structure, and credibility. We weren’t trying to spin the story. We were trying to tell it honestly, accurately, and from a clearly defined point of view. That point of view mattered. We made a promise to our audience: we would cover the team like journalists, but from the inside. We weren’t going to pretend to be something we weren’t. We were insiders. That was the advantage. And instead of hiding from it, we leaned into it. At the same time, we understood the responsibility that came with that position. We didn’t need to be first. We needed to be right. That meant establishing standards. It meant covering the good moments like the wins, the milestones, and the behind-the-scenes access fans couldn’t get anywhere else. But it also meant not ignoring the harder stories when they arose. Credibility was always at stake, and we treated it that way. I knew were building something. A system. A mindset. A way of approaching storytelling that went beyond promotion and into something far more durable. Over time, that approach evolved into a weekly TV show that’s still on the air more than a decade later. But none of that happens without what came first. The decision to think as brand journalists with a point of view. Brand Journalists with a Point of View What we were building in those early days didn’t look like much from the outside. There was no studio. No formal production schedule. No distribution strategy beyond posting to social media and linking out to photos and video. In fact, some of the earliest tools we used would feel almost laughable today.
Show More