Step 1) Plan the Video
You complete a guided survey of the themes and events in your life (or that of the biography subject) to help determine what you want to focus on most in the story, whom you want interviewed for the biography, and which materials, such as photos or home movies, you want included in the final product.  Then, working with a Client Services Manager, you examine the various production options available for a project and create a “Project Overview” for your biography.

Step 2)  Conduct Interviews
Interviews can take many forms in a video documentary.  In most cases, interviews are unscripted because they take place on camera, and the videographer wants to capture candid reactions from the subject.  Sometimes interviews are conducted and recorded off camera by a professional interviewer and used to narrate a montage of photographs and other images.  In other video projects, interviewing is used very sparingly.  Your Client Services Manager helps you decide how to use interviewing in your biography project.

Step 3)  Shoot Footage
You may choose to have a videographer shoot footage of people, things, and places in order to enhance your documentary video.  Like interviewing, shooting non-interview footage is optional and can be used to varying degrees, or not at all, depending on the plan you develop with your Client Services Manager.

Step 4)  Edit the Video
When all of the materials, home movies, photos, extra footage and interviews that you want to include have been collected, the videographer combines them with music and professional editing techniques to form a cohesive video.  Skilled video editing ensures that the progression from image to image, narration to music, etc. offers a smooth and enjoyable exhibition of your life story that effectively combines images, sound, and your voice.

Step 5) Design the Packaging
A video biography can be stored in a simple jewel case, packaged in a decorated box or set in a book-like “library” piece.  There are dozens of packaging options, and your Client Services Manager helps clarify your preferences among the options.  In some cases, the packaging may require some graphic design or art work.  This is also arranged by the Client Services Manager.

Step 6)  Reproduce the Video/DVD
When your video biography has been edited, and you’ve chosen the way you want it packaged, your Client Services Manager sends it to a video duplication lab and copies are made.  They are then packaged and delivered.