Generational Documentaries
A unique film about someone close to you. Their story, their words, their essence, captured by marrying my cinematography with your photo and video archives.
Generational Documentaries
A unique film about someone close to you. Their story, their words, their essence, captured by marrying my cinematography with your photo and video archives.
In December 2024, I interviewed my mum about what it was actually like bringing my brother and I up, what it felt like and how it changed her.
The stories revolved around our home in Cornwalll, a place where the camcorder was always at hand.
So when I came to the edit, I found I had the perfect photos and videos that could bring her words to life and make it feel like she really was reliving the past.
The final film is something I’ll keep forever, and I suspect that the longer I keep it, the more valuable it will become.
I’m now offering the same to other families. It’s an opportunity to capture the essence of someone as they are now. Their experiences, their humour and the unique perspective they bring to the world.
I hope to bring the same care, sensitivity and attention to detail to your film as I did to mine.
In December 2024, I interviewed my mum about what it was actually like bringing my brother and I up, what it felt like and how it changed her.
The stories revolved around our home in Cornwalll, a place where the camcorder was always at hand.
So when I came to the edit, I found I had the perfect photos and videos that could bring her words to life and make it feel like she really was reliving the past.
The final film is something I’ll keep forever, and I suspect that the longer I keep it, the more valuable it will become.
I’m now offering the same to other families. It’s an opportunity to capture the essence of someone as they are now. Their experiences, their humour and the unique perspective they bring to the world.
I hope to bring the same care, sensitivity and attention to detail to your film as I did to mine.
Why commission a generational documentary?
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Whether it’s an anniversary, a graduation, a significant birthday or something hard earned, these moments have long backstories. Your film can unpick and preserve how they came to be.
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As well as facts and dates, your legacy film is about capturing someone’s essence – their voice, values, humour and heart – so future generations can not only know where they come from, but also who they come from.
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My grandpa had a repertoire of stories (some fairly fruity) that we still tell to this day. But details shift over time and they may eventually be lost in translation. Film keeps stories alive in a way that memory alone can’t.
What would I do with a generational documentary?
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Your documentary will be a moving, speaking family portrait. You can store it on a USB, disk or online so you can revisit it on quiet evenings and pass it on when the time is right.
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Whether its a retirement gathering, graduation, big birthday or memorial event, your film will bring emotional gravitas to a significant moment, and encourage those present to reflect on how experience shaped the person being celebrated.
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A generational documentary isn’t only something to keep - it’s a way to honour someone as they are now. It gives them the space to speak, feel heard and reflect on everything they’ve lived through. It’s a way of saying: your story matters, and we’re listening.
What would I do with a generational documentary?
-
Your documentary will be a moving, speaking family portrait. You can store it on a USB, disk or online so you can revisit it on quiet evenings and pass it on when the time is right.
-
Whether its a retirement gathering, graduation, big birthday or memorial event, your film will bring emotional gravitas to a significant moment, and encourage those present to reflect on how experience shaped the person being celebrated.
-
A generational documentary isn’t only something to keep - it’s a way to honour someone as they are now. It gives them the space to speak, feel heard and reflect on everything they’ve lived through. It’s a way of saying: your story matters, and we’re listening.
Three simple packages
Bronze
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Short, sharp interview shot with two 4k cameras, studio lighting and professional sound capture.
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Capture where the interview is taking place and some behind the scenes shots.
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Send me your best photos and videos and I’ll build them into the narrative.
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Delivered to your smart TV, ready to be enjoyed by the whole family.
450
Silver
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A longer interview gives the speaker a chance to relax, explore the detail and reflect with real emotion.
I can then pick out the standout moments during the edit.
Shot with two 4k cameras, studio lighting and professional sound capture.
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Anchor the film in who the speaker is now with characterful shots of the house, ornaments, family, activities (i.e. painting & gardening) and more.
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Spend less time rifling through your photo and video archives and let me pick out the best moments for the story being told.
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Delivered to your smart TV, ready to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Gold
600
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We’ll dig into the details in an extended sitting interview and capture some more recollections while cooking, gardening, walking etc.
Our aim is to make the speaker feel really heard in the sitting interview and to capture some authentic, off the cuff moments while they’re in a more natural environment.
Shot with two 4k cameras, studio lighting and professional sound capture.
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Anchor the film in who the speaker is now with characterful shots of the house, ornaments, family, activities (i.e. painting & gardening) and more.
We’ll also take a trip to a second location (i.e. park, green spae or significant location) where the speaker can share more recollections or just spend time with family on-camera.
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Spend less time rifling through your photo and video archives and let me pick out the best moments for the story being told.
-
Delivered to your smart TV, ready to be enjoyed by the whole family.
800
Three simple steps
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Planning meeting
This is our chance to thrash out the stories you’d like to focus on and what photos and videos you have to support the narrative.
We can talk about who the film’s for, who’ll be doing the interviewing, what cut aways to focus on and which package suits you best.
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Shoot day
On filming day, my number one priority is to keep things relaxed. Most of us aren’t used to telling life stories in a studio that’s popped up in our living room.
So we’ll ease the interviewee into the day, get them chatting and aim to make them forget that the cameras are rolling at all.
Depending on which package you choose, I’ll then capture some atmosphere-building shots of the house, the family and anything that’s important to the story.
-
The premier
Once the video is ready, you’ll have the chance to sit down with the family and watch your new documentary. We can then chat about changes or tweaks you’d like to see, so it’s in line with just where you want it to be.
Three simple steps
-
Planning meeting
This is our chance to thrash out the stories you’d like to focus on and what photos and videos you have to support the narrative.
We can talk about who the film’s for, who’ll be doing the interviewing, what cut aways to focus on and which package suits you best.
-
Shoot day
On filming day, my number one priority is to keep things relaxed. Most of us aren’t used to telling life stories in a studio that’s popped up in our living room.
So we’ll ease the interviewee into the day, get them chatting and aim to make them forget that the cameras are rolling at all.
Depending on which package you choose, I’ll then capture some atmosphere-building shots of the house, the family and anything that’s important to the story.
-
The premier
Once the video is ready, you’ll have the chance to sit down with the family and watch your new documentary. We can then chat about changes or tweaks you’d like to see, so it’s in line with just where you want it to be.
Ready to get started?
contact@jamescortisproductions.com
07507938739