Parents & grandparents
Preserve the stories you've heard throughout your life — and discover some you haven't.
Life Story Films · Sydney
A lifetime of stories,
A lifetime of stories,
told in their own words.
Warm, cinematic documentaries that preserve the voices, memories and experiences of parents, grandparents and the people who matter to your family.
Filmed across Sydney, usually in the comfort of home.More than an interview
The details make the story feel alive.
A Life Story Film isn't simply someone sitting in front of a camera answering questions. We spend time understanding the person behind the story — their childhood, relationships, family traditions, turning points, passions and the memories that still matter to them today.
Alongside the interview, we film the details that make their world personal: a familiar room, photographs on the wall, treasured objects, a favourite place or time spent with family.
These cutaways become the visual texture of the film, helping their memories feel lived-in rather than simply recorded.
Natural, not scripted
Their voice. Their memories. Their personality.
The finished film is shaped around natural conversation rather than a scripted performance. There is no need to memorise anything or prepare perfect answers. The interview is conversational and unhurried, with questions designed to bring out specific memories, anecdotes and details.
Some stories might be profound. Others might simply be about the house they grew up in, how they met their partner, the family holiday that went terribly wrong or the meal they still make the same way decades later.
Often, those small stories become the ones families treasure most.
Beginning a conversation at home? Use our guide to 20 thoughtful questions for parents or grandparents.
See a past film
What a Life Story Film can feel like.
Every story is different. The interview questions, structure and visual approach are developed around the person and their family rather than following a fixed template.
Paul & MariaFilm & story
Who it's for
Stories worth making time for.
A Life Story Film can mark a milestone or simply create the space for conversations a family has always wanted to keep.
Milestone birthdays
A meaningful way to celebrate a 70th, 80th or another important chapter.
Couples
Two perspectives on a shared life, from how they met to the family they created together.
Family history
Capture migration stories, traditions, places, relationships and memories in the voices of the people who lived them.
A calm filming experienceMade around them,
Made around them,
not around the camera.
Many of the people we film have never been professionally interviewed before. That's completely normal.
Filming is deliberately relaxed, with time to settle into the conversation and take breaks when needed. We guide the interview naturally and never expect someone to perform for the camera.
Whenever possible, filming takes place at home or somewhere familiar — somewhere that already belongs to their story.
Thoughtfully planned.
Comfortably filmed.
01
Discover.
We begin with a conversation about the person, their family and the stories you would most like to preserve.
02
Prepare.
We shape the interview and identify photographs, locations, objects and everyday moments that could become part of the film.
03
Film.
Interviews and the details of everyday life are filmed in a calm, comfortable setting. The Life Portrait uses one full filming day; A Family Film uses two, with breaks as needed.
04
Create.
The interviews, photographs and visual moments are carefully shaped into a finished documentary for your family to keep.
Choose the depth
Three ways to preserve the story.
For two people whose stories belong together, The Life Portrait offers both a crafted film and a longer interview film.
The Conversation
$1,790
One 30–60-minute lightly tidied interview with one storyteller, plus three edited portraits and a personalised USB.
Explore The ConversationThe Life Portrait
$3,790
A preparation conversation and one full filming day with two main storytellers and up to two brief family voices. Includes a 5–7-minute crafted film, one combined 60–90-minute lightly tidied interview film, six edited portraits and a personalised USB.
Explore The Life PortraitA Family Film
$6,990
A preparation conversation and two full filming days: conversations on day one, family moments and visual scenes at the agreed location on day two. Includes two main storytellers, up to four brief family voices, an 8–12-minute crafted film, one combined 60–90-minute lightly tidied interview film, ten edited portraits and a personalised USB. Additional locations and voices are quoted separately.
Explore A Family FilmA few things to knowYour questions,
Your questions,
answered.
Do they need to prepare for the interview?
No. We'll speak with you beforehand to understand the important people, periods and stories, then develop the interview from there. The person being filmed doesn't need to memorise anything.
Can old photographs and home videos be included?
Absolutely. Family photographs, letters, home videos and other archive material can add another layer to the story and help bring memories to life. We'll discuss any conversion or permissions needed before the edit.
Can other family members be interviewed?
Yes. The Conversation includes one main storyteller. The Life Portrait includes two main storytellers and up to two brief family interviews. A Family Film includes two main storytellers and up to four brief family interviews. We can quote more voices separately.
Can we film over two shorter visits?
Yes. The Life Portrait includes one full filming day. If shorter sessions would suit someone better, two half-day visits at the same home can be arranged for an extra fee agreed in your quote. A Family Film includes two full filming days: one mainly for interviews and one for visual scenes. We include setup and breaks in the visit time and agree the schedule before booking.
Where does filming take place?
Most Life Story Films are filmed at home because people tend to feel more comfortable there and the surroundings naturally provide meaningful visual details. Other Sydney locations can also be incorporated where appropriate.
What if my parent or grandparent is nervous on camera?
That's very common. The filming style is intentionally conversational and relaxed. There is no expectation to perform, speak perfectly or look into the camera, and we can pause whenever a break is needed.
Can the film be a gift?
Yes. Life Story Films can be especially meaningful for milestone birthdays, anniversaries or family celebrations. We can discuss the best way to involve the person being filmed while still keeping part of the experience as a surprise.
Start a conversation
There are stories
There are stories
only they can tell.
If you've been thinking about recording the memories of a parent, grandparent or someone important to your family, tell us a little about them. No preparation is needed — the first conversation is simply a chance to understand what you have in mind and whether a Life Portrait Film feels right for your family.