I’m going to give you some pricing secrets around video biographies, or “family history documentaries” as they’re sometimes known. How much should you expect to pay and what can you expect to get for your hard-earned video bio money?

Video biographies are gaining prominence as a highlight for an important anniversary, reunion or birthday. Often there is no such occasion, just the desire to capture the stories of mom or dad, or some family genealogy, before it’s too late. As a recent Allianz Insurance survey found:

“Eighty-six percent of boomers (ages 47 to 66) and 74 percent of seniors (ages 72 and older) agree that family histories are the most important aspect of their legacy, ahead of personal possessions (64 percent for boomers, 58 percent for seniors) and the expectation of inheritance for financial well-being.”

So if you’re reading this, you probably don’t need convincing about the importance of a video bio (or “family video documentary” if you prefer that terminology) and you’re starting to take yourself seriously. But how much does a video biography cost? There’s no point in asking for something you can’t afford, right?

The price of a video biography? Pretty much whatever you want. (Wait! Don’t run away. I’m going to blow up the video bio) “omerta” and we’ll give you real market prices, just hang in there). But I must say that the price or cost of a video bio will depend on the features you are hoping to include. It makes sense, right? But even better than that, it’s there’s no need cost a penny

The Zero Dollar Video Bio Pricing Option

The most important part of any family history project is getting started. And you should never let funds stop you from getting started – these are passion projects, not cash (if you catch my drift). And you can actually do a pretty good job on your own.

You’ll need a decent video camera (promise me you won’t be using your phone or laptop unless you really, Really they have no other options); also the owner’s manual; a lavalier microphone; and a tripod. Oh, and a bright room with no direct sunlight on your subject. There is an extensive guide on the web, just try Binging “DIY Family History Video” to see some of the advice I’ve given elsewhere and then try “video biography questions”. You’re on your way!

You may not have a family history documentary with this free option, but you have saved a life through video.

Real Dollar Video Bio Cost Options

OK, I suspect if you’re still reading then you have in mind contacting a professional video producer. How much will that cost you?

First, let’s distinguish between a fan or a friend; a wedding videographer and a family history professional.

Family history videos from friends and family

A hobbyist or friend fits the “Zero Dollar Video Bio Price Option,” but they may charge you three or four hundred dollars for your equipment and time. Or if not, you should think about paying them anyway. This should be especially true if, in addition to interviewing and filming, you are going to ask them to ingest the video, edit it a bit, and send it somewhere.

These things are complicated and time consuming, and it’s really not fair to ask them to do all of that for free. Also, if you choose to trust your best intentions, the delivery of the finished product may be somewhat delayed.

Family history videos made by wedding videographers

This can be a very good option, especially if you’re prepared to work closely with the videographer on setups, questions, footage, and the like. Many wedding videographers are drawn to family history video work because it allows them to film during relatively quiet weekdays (weddings are almost always filmed on weekends).

Most of the big name wedding videographers that have been in business for say 5 years really know their stuff. They can shoot with multiple cameras, know all about lighting, often have dollies and cranes, a modern editing suite, and are almost always great still photographers and usually do great audio.

Now, you may not need all of your core talents (intimate knowledge of the tried and tested stages of weddings and receptions, slow wedding pans, rack approach from flowers to mother of the bride, etc.). And them May not having read, miked, or filmed a biographical video interview before. Maybe check to see if they have a lot of training in oral history and if they have access to the institutional resources and knowledge base of a group like the Association of Personal Historians. But they’ll almost certainly be nice (hey, they’re still in business on a very tough industry) and it won’t scare grandma! And like I said, they really know their team and can be highly trained.

My best advice? Try to have the main person who owns the store do the work. And keep in mind the features and options I’ll cover below. Also keep in mind that wedding videographers often have a decent sized crew of part-time wedding workers and sometimes use good people like firefighters for “second or third cameras.” No disrespect to firefighters, but for something as important as a video bio, you want the best they have (which maybe actually being the firefighter).

You can expect to pay around $3,000 or $4,000 for a decent wedding videographer who will shoot for most of the day and do some solid editing, image work, and deliver to BluRay, DVD, or HDD (maybe more, or even less). , depending on the features you need). And here’s the thing: You’re almost guaranteed to look absolutely fabulous (an unhappy bride’s mother is an unhappy customer!).

Family History Videos by a Video Biographer

Video biographers are no more or less expensive than a wedding person, after all, we are all professionals with overhead and cost structures and the expectation that we can feed our children. In general, for the same job, our charges should be similar.

But where video biographers may diverge from wedding videographers is that they are likely to include a bit more. Some of these features include:

Fully edited final product length: The longer the finished product, the higher the price. Editing and creating non-interview content is time consuming. Also, video biographers tend to prefer a longer finished product, reasoning that this is important family history!

Time dedicated to pre-production: The longer, the more you will pay. Serious video biographers like to spend 10 hours or more in pre-production: meeting the client; meeting with the subject; talk to all the kids (to make sure we get the stories they like and remember); do basic family and ancestral research; unearthing artifacts and sounds; scan locations and the like.

The number of historical photos to be included and the work to clean and repair those images. Not all videographers are formally trained in Photoshop and know how to bring out the best in images to create a true personal documentary (as opposed to just showing a “talking head”).