Someone's Looking Out For Me Preview
The story of Howard A. Edwards, Oregon veteran of WWII
How I Met Your Father
Three Decades in Two Minutes
1930's College Life
Milton-Freewater in 1913
Bringing a Photo Album to Life
The Rumor Project of WWII
The Courtship and Marriage of Roy and Mary
Commercials & Corporate Work
Latest Demo Reel
Over 20 years experience, offering affordable solutions to clients in America, Japan and elsewhere.
Other Broadcast Work
Directing, shooting and editing a wide variety of projects for clients in the U.S. and abroad.
Director Profile
Professional Narrator
Seasoned Director
Skilled Cameraman
Steve’s Voice Over Website
Having attended USC film school, I’ve been producing videos and commercials and content for clients in many countries for decades. As a professional narrator, I have voiced for worldwide brands and companies that are household names. Part of the reason I chose to focus on making family biography videos is because I never tire or cease to be enthralled by the stories my parents tell of their younger days; what made them who they are. When you’re growing up, you think you know your parents, because you do. Who they are in that moment. But often times we lack the foresight to ask them questions about what their lives were like before we came along, what their upbringing was like, what struggles they had to deal with and what things gave them joy and great memories. It’s a challenge to ask them to sit down and tell you about themselves. That’s why it’s a great idea to have someone outside the family do that for you.
FAQ
- Many different kinds. Basically, anything biographical you would like to preserve while you have the opportunity. This can be narrative style mini-documentaries, to single person interviews, words of the departing to their loved ones, or anything else you might have in mind.
- In the category of narrative stories, if you’ve ever seen a Ken Burns documentary, that’s the level of quality and storytelling we aspire to create. Bringing still pictures to life with sound design, animating pictures with a three dimensional quality of depth and movement, using interviews and voice over, background music, additional shots that give the scene character (B-roll), are just some of the ingredients that make our videos stand out.
- Not everyone wants or needs something like that, which is understandable. Some clients would simply like their stories told and shed some light on their biography for current and future generations to appreciate.
- Such milestones in life are all part of our video portfolio. The same elements are included in such videos; still photographs, documents, birth certificates, wedding licenses, maps, whatever you would like to see visually represented, we can do it.
- Usually, the subject or subjects are interviewed in the comfort of their home or a familiar setting. It’s entirely up to you. Dozens of questions will be asked, which can be provided in advance in order to consider the responses.
- We can also shoot additional shots of the subject walking around their old neighborhood or the house they grew up in, place they worked at, all kinds of ways and possibilities. I always enjoy shooting a good deal of B-roll of meaningful objects or other angles that set the mood or contribute to the story.
- Absolutely. If you can provide visual materials such as pictures, home movies and documents, we can weave the story of your loved one into a compelling video. Interviews with family members are also possible through Zoom calls or other means.
- Some producers place limits on the number of still pictures they’ll allow a client to use. I say the more the better. We don’t have to necessarily use all of them, but source material is like paint. It’s often better to have a palette of colors to choose from rather than a handful.
- Every project is unique, having different budgetary items. Each estimate is tailor-made for the needs of the client.
- I’m more interested in producing something great rather than being concerned about any money to time ratio. I often put in a lot of extra time free of charge to leave clients impressed rather than satisfied. I like to go above and beyond client expectations.
- Project estimates are typically calculated according to standard professional day rates for crew and equipment, which can be provided for reference.
- No problem; that happens all the time. Clients tend to come up with good ideas once they start thinking about the project, even after the budget has been approved and production started. An additional sub-contract will be drawn up with the new budgetary changes to be approved by the client.
- Yes. I welcome that approach to tell the story in a more narrative way. As a longtime professional narrator, I lend my voice and those of others to narrate your story. I record in a professional studio, with over two decades of voice recording experience to draw upon. If the client would like a female narrator, that can easily be arranged. With details and direction from the client, a script is approved for narration.
- Yes. I lived in Japan for 20 years and have done subtitling for clients in Japan, India and Thailand. I welcome the opportunity to tell the stories of non-English language subjects, however, it is labor-intensive and requires client assistance to get the timing of the words correct. Someone would need to be the designated translator and assistant for the project.
- Or projects can be done entirely in the non-English language without subtitles
- Scroll to the bottom page of this website and you’ll see some fields to fill out about what you have in mind, who it involves, the visual materials you have or can acquire, a deadline or time you’d like it completed by, your budget and other pertinent details. With that information, we can better assess how much production and post-production it will take, what resources may be necessary and what other creative options we have before us. Brainstorming ideas, locations and schedules are usually handled by phone or in person. All consultations are free.
- Half of the production budget is paid up front to start work. This is non-refundable. The second half is paid upon completion before receiving the finished work
- Of course. The client needs to be completely satisfied with the finished work before delivery. If there are any minor changes to be made, this would be the time.
- Lots of different kinds. Nowadays, with so many options, we accept credit cards, checks, Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle
- You’ll receive personalized USB sticks with the video(s) on them. The finished videos are exported in a variety of formats so you can watch them on all your devices; such as smartphones and tablets.
- Sure. Some sites are more accepting than others about what content they will allow on their platform. With You Tube, depending on the content included in your video, there may be copyright issues with music or video used that may affect playback.
Interview Video Packages
Interview packages are meant to capture long form question and answer sessions for documentation purposes.
Finished videos tend to be between 1 to 2 hours long.
Silver
$2,250
Covering the basics
2 hour interview session
1 or 2 interviewees
Using up to 20 photos
Files delivered online
Gold
$3,250
A step up
4 hour interview session
2 to 3 interviewees
Using up to 40 photos
Some photo animation
Printed interview transcripts
Files delivered on USB sticks
Platinum
*$5,250
In depth interview
Full day interview session
Unlimited interviewees
Specialized interviewee shots
Unlimited photos & documents
Video montages to music
Shooting of B roll on site
*English subtitles if necessary
Printed interview transcripts
Files delivered on USB sticks
Narrative Video Packages
Narrative packages are meant to weave interviews, pictures, documents, archival movies, sound design, music and graphics into a highly watchable mini-documentary. Finished videos are crafted to be a storytelling experience like a Ken Burns film that viewers will want to see again and again.
Silver
$2,250
Covering the basics
2 hour interview
1 or 2 interviewees
Using up to 20 photos
Some photos animated
Files delivered online
Gold
$4,750
A big step up
Full day interview session
Unlimited interviewees
Using up to 40 photos
Many photos animated
Files exported for devices
Files delivered on USB sticks
Printed transcripts of interviews
Platinum
$7,350+
The whole 9 yards
Full day interview session
Unlimited interviewees
Unlimited photos & documents
On site photo acquisition
Image research
Shooting of B roll on site
Sound design and music
Animated stills with 2.5D Motion
Script writing & Narration
Custom motion graphics
Files delivered on USB sticks