Keepsake Movies
Your Legacy
You possess a treasury of life stories and rich experience, waiting to be shared with your children, grandchildren, and the generations that follow. The desire to immortalize these memories for posterity is a profound gift to your family…
When I talk about the legacy movies I’ve created about my own parents, far too often I hear people say “I wish I had recorded the stories of my parents before they died”.
Sadly, once they’re gone, it’s too late. Unless documented, the rich stories of their lives and the memories they hold dear disappear when they pass on.
Our parents and grandparents really are treasure troves of history that we can and must preserve!
In a world where moments often pass us by too quickly, a Keepsake Movie is a way to capture the essence of a lifetime, weaving together stories, memories, and emotions into a heartfelt and moving film.
“I felt I was watching a made-for-TV documentary about my life. I simply cannot thank you enough for this gift-of-a-lifetime.” -Josh
“Luckily I made a documentary of my father’s life a few years before he passed away unexpectedly. Everyday I’m grateful that I did that and honored his life.” — Deonna
Capturing Your Family History
There are many ways to preserve a life story. While a written memoir can feel daunting, most people find it easy to talk. By pairing an oral history with photos and video, a Keepsake Movie captures personality, nuance, and voice—bringing family history to life in a way text alone can’t.
How Is It Done?
1) Gather the good stuff
Pull out the shoebox photos, old albums, heirlooms, and any video you’ve got—yes, even those “phone-old” clips from 10 years ago. If you have tapes that need digitizing, I’ll guide you on converting them so we can use the footage.
2) Choose your format
Movie Memoir: An interview-based life story that weaves in photos, video, and music.
Movie Milestone: A tribute film for a big birthday (50th, 60th, 70th, 80th…), built from heartfelt video messages, photos, and memories—no interview required.
3) Capture the story
For Movie Memoirs, we can record in person, over video, or you can self-record with my coaching. I’ve filmed hundreds of interviews and know how to help people relax and speak naturally.
4) I craft the film
I curate your materials, shape the narrative, and edit everything into a polished, watchable piece—complete with thoughtful pacing, titles, music, and clean sound.
5) Delivery
You’ll receive a private streaming link and a high-quality master file (USB or drive on request). Optional shorter cuts for sharing are available.
“I did this with my father. I didn’t with my mother because she was camera shy so I put it off… she was 93 and active as an 80-year old. I thought I had more time to convince her, not realizing I wouldn’t have her around much longer, as she seemed so strong. So for her life I must retain the stories she shared with me, talk to her surviving sister and pass on those stories that I learn. This task is definitely worthwhile for generations to come. Had I done this with both parents I would have given future family members a thorough perspective of their heritage… to understand where they came from, why they think the way they think, and thus providing a solid platform moving forward. I am a firm believer that if you don’t know where you came from, how can you possibly know where you’re going?” -Steven
“What can I say? It was everything I hoped for and more. Laura began weeping inconsolably the minute she realized what it was, and continued to cry and laugh and cry and laugh and cry and laugh through the entire thing. She thanked me (and you) about 15 times over the next 24 hours. ‘The best present I’ve ever received.’ We are both so very grateful.” –Laura’s husband, who surprised her with a Milestone Keepsake Movie on her birthday
“I spent this morning watching and rewatching the incredible video you did for my 70th birthday, now nearly four years past. It had me in tears, like I was seeing it for the first time. As a working artist all my life, I so fully appreciate the remarkable thing you created. Your sensitivity, your artistry, your filming and editing chops, the sound quality, the precise timing, the completeness of the finished product – I felt I was watching a made-for-TV documentary about my life. I simply cannot thank you enough for this gift-of-a-lifetime. It was like attending my own memorial and hearing all the great things people had to say. And now I can relive that day again and again…” -Josh
Reasons to Make a Movie Memoir
Creating a Movie Memoir or Life Legacy Film can be one of the most precious gifts one can give to their family. Here are some compelling reasons why:
* Preservation of Memories and Oral History: With time, stories fade and details become fuzzy. A life legacy film ensures that vivid memories remain intact and are easily accessible for generations.
* Bridge Generational Gaps: It provides younger generations with a direct link to their heritage, allowing them to understand and appreciate their roots.
* Immortalize Voices & Expressions: Beyond just stories, it preserves the sound of a loved one’s voice, their laughter, their mannerisms, and the way their eyes light up when they speak of cherished moments.
* Celebrate Resilience & Achievement: It’s an opportunity to highlight one’s accomplishments, struggles they’ve overcome, and the wisdom they’ve gleaned from their experiences.
* Encourage Reflection: The process of creating the film encourages introspection and offers a platform to pass on values, beliefs, and hopes for the future.
* Foster Family Bonding: Sharing personal stories can bring family members closer together, strengthening bonds and fostering a deeper sense of belonging.
* Interactive Family History: It serves as a dynamic, engaging way to educate younger family members about their lineage, far more captivating than a family tree or photo album.
* Heirloom for Future Generations: Just as we cherish artifacts and letters from our ancestors, future generations will value these personal narratives as priceless family treasures.
* Catalyst for Conversations: It can open up channels of communication within the family, sparking discussions about traditions, values, and shared history.
* Tangible Connection to the Past: In moments of nostalgia or grief, family members can turn to the life legacy film to feel connected to their loved one.
* Legacy of Wisdom: It’s an avenue for elders to share life lessons, advice, and hopes for the younger generation, ensuring their wisdom doesn’t get lost in the sands of time.
* Emotional Healing: Reflecting on life’s journey and knowing that one’s story will be remembered can offer emotional healing and a sense of completion.
Creating a Movie Memoir is more than just a video — it’s a lasting testament to one’s existence, a beacon for future generations, and a beautiful celebration of a life well-lived.
“We found the entire program fascinating! At no time did we lose interest at all …it moved along so nicely and presented so many highlights of my brother’s life, including great backgrounds and appropriate graphics …. a totally fabulous keepsake! We realize there was lots of work on the part of several people here. It is so professionally done! It must have been an enormous job to edit all the information, put it together into a meaningful timeline, add the music and additional graphics, etc.! We understand why it took some time! I can’t wait to view it AGAIN!!!” –Carol
Samples
Here are a few short clips pulled from longer finished movies, to get an idea what these can look like.
When you watch, imagine that the person in the video is YOUR loved one, or that this is YOUR video.
A couple clips from a Milestone Keepsake movie – which was the ultimate 70th birthday gift to her husband. Not everyone can pull off a party like this! Professional editing takes the viewing experience up a notch.
A few bits pulled from a cherished Movie Memoir from 2009. Remember those stories of grandparents walking miles in the snow to get to school? Yep, ours is captured for posterity!
A couple clips from a Milestone Keepsake movie – a surprise 70th birthday present. Pacing, poetry and polish turns these heartfelt messages into a highly-moving viewing experience.
“The Legacy video of my late father is my most cherished possession. Professionally produced on his 70th birthday, it captures him recounting memories and anecdotes with his unique humor and mannerisms. Now 10 years since he passed, my family gathers annually on his birthday to watch segments, partly to reminisce but also to see nuances we may have forgotten. Other photos and videos don’t compare to the thoughtful composition that brings him front and center to share his life story. For anyone able to create such a meaningful, quality keepsake, either for themselves or for a loved one, I wholeheartedly recommend doing so.”
— Lonnie
Why Work With Lucinda
With nearly two decades in production, Lucinda brings a producer’s discipline, a director’s eye, and an editor’s polish—so every film is structured, beautiful, and watchable. She has coached hundreds of interviews and knows how to help people relax and shine on camera. Clients get a streamlined, collaborative process—from preparation and story shaping to delivery—with clear timelines, check-ins, and a private preview cut.
This work is personal to her. Lucinda’s family watches her late father’s Movie Memoir every year on his birthday; it’s how her son knows his grandpa, “Pappyon.” That same level of meaning guides every project.
To protect quality, she accepts a limited number of commissions and crafts each film with meticulous care. Final delivery includes a private streaming link and an archival master file, so your family can return to the story for years to come.
Brainstorm your project
Share what you’re thinking you’d like to do and let’s see if we can make that happen!