Preserving Your Family Narrative in Sound:
Process, Pricing, and Packaging
by Frank Gregorsky
WHERE DO THE INTERVIEWS TAKE PLACE?
Ideally, at the family member's home, that being his or her place of maximum comfort.
HOW MANY INTERVIEWS?
At least two. But it's easier to think in terms of cumulative hours.
Except in cases where an interviewee is in not-so-good health, taping time would total
between seven and 12 hours, with the sessions divided over adjacent days.
IS THIS LIKE BEING ON TELEVISION?
No bright lights or video cameras. No rearranging the furniture. Much closer to a chat over the
kitchen table.
WHAT ABOUT INTERRUPTIONS, PHONE CALLS, etc.?
We simply turn the recorder off. Because the interviews are not taking
place in a "studio," no time-pressures emerge. Our job is to record all the names,
places, events, themes and lessons. Later they will edited, "cleaned
up" and reorganized, to deliver ACCESSIBILITY via audiodisc.
BUT WHAT CAN I DO WITH A
MULTI-HOUR AUDIO HISTORY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS?
You might be surprised! Click
here for a string of examples...
WHAT ARE THE PACKAGES and HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?
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 Pricing is per-master CD; you decide how
big the project is; and there's NO, repeat NO, hourly billing. At the same time,
total costs do rise and fall -- based on seasonality; how much editing the
client family wants; whether it's an institutional or a personal history; and
whether travel and lodging are called for. In sum, "pricing" has grown too
complex for a fixed web snapshot. Please call me at 703 281-1674 and I'll
explain everything. If we can get square on parameters, I'll then submit a
detailed proposal. Thanks in advance for your inquiry.
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WHAT ELSE IS BASIC TO ANY OF THESE PACKAGES?
Every audiodisc plays for 75 to 80 minutes. And their high-quality sound is edited into "tracks" --
just like on a musical CD -- to allow you and future generations to easily access any part of your loved one's life narrative. The back of the CD container displays a table of contents telling -- track by track -- what is on every disc.
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW ON THE OUTLAY SIDE?
All postage and packaging costs are Frank's responsibility. As for travel outlays, the
per-disc pricing method includes auto travel within 50 miles of Washington D.C. Beyond that radius,
travel and lodging costs are borne by the client.
DOES THE SERVICE INCLUDE A TRANSCRIPT? AND WHAT ABOUT VIDEO?
To keep costs down all around, we stick with sound.
ARE YOU SAYING TEXT AND VIDEO DON'T MATTER?
Sure, they matter -- but they aren't the missing link for most families. You already
know what your parent, great aunt or wise old mentor looks like, in part because pictures
abound in every family. Even with all the recent enthusiasm for genealogy and
memoir-writing (to add to the stack of pictures),
SOUND remains the
"missing dimension." The core premise of family audio history is that anyone
familiar with the interviewee will prefer to hear that person's
VOICE,
as well as be able to access
THEMES
AND TOPICS in a way that unedited homemade tape
recordings just can't provide. Because sound is what's missing, sound is what we focus on.
HOW ARE THE QUESTIONS PUT TOGETHER?
A lengthy phone discussion, with at least one son or daughter, is advisable at least
one week before the opening interview. Especially to cover historic family details, the
client is encouraged to submit questions to go along with Gregorsky's.
CAN SOMEONE ELSE SIT IN AND ASK QUESTIONS?
That's completely up to the client and the person being interviewed. In many
cases it's a good move. For example, having a younger family member be part of the taping
is a great way to bring out more detail on family events.
HOW IS PAYMENT HANDLED?
One-half after the bulk of the prep work has been done, but before the actual first
interview; and the other half right after you take delivery of your sets of CDs.
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