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[M44]Make A Family Tree For Kids

by Cara10 Barna10, Car

A film, more than any picture, says a thousand words. When bitten by the film bug, there is nothing to do but just get a video cam and shoot. There is a vast opportunity of endless possibilities out there waiting to take action, but why not start with something close and dear to one's heart? Not only can one practice their craft, a family film is a great souvenir that will be enjoyed by all family members for the years to come. Attention to detail and a map of your direction are important aspects in this experiment.

Here are the steps to make one shine in family film-making that would make ones family proud:

1.Permission to film. This is probably the most important thing in film making yet is disregarded by family film makers. Getting permission to film your subjects. In family documentaries, there are no release forms or contracts, but it does not hurt to inform your family of your plan to film them. Though, this should not be a problem to most members, there are cases when a family member is just not comfortable with having their lives on film. Be sensitive about their issues and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of making your film. Decide if this film is worth causing a strain in your family.

2.Do not ignore old family movies. This can be a great addition to your film. Look for a company that converts old movies in to digital movies to make the film workable. Add old elements to your new family film to show contrast in time.

3.Let others talk. A documentary should be based on the opinion and the views of others. Allow other family members to talk for a better viewing experience and more interesting documentary. Before filming, think of questions to be asked to break ground in your documentary film.

4.Think about the future. Sometimes, when filming a movie, it is easy to get so wrapped up with the process of documenting and filming that the end result seem to get blurry. Do not forget the gist and the purpose of the film. The topics and the scene that makes for an interesting viewing should be the front and centre of your film.

5.Edit, edit, edit. Your sister continuously yakking on the stairway? Cut. That slow pan of images in the living room and kitchen? Cut. Everything that is not essential to the "plot" must go. Do not feed your viewers useless images that would only bore them. This is the key to a really great family film documentary. This is not some careless, random piece that will sit under the bed forever ? this should be a masterpiece at its finest.

Do not be afraid to experiment. It is okay to make mistakes. Avoid filming too much coverage, sometimes, too much information is just that ? too much information. Life happens slowly; sometimes you need to present life faster than real-time. Be reasonable when using a camcorder; use it carefully for maximum effect.

Sitting around the living room during family gatherings are always a special time for many families. With the holidays fast approaching, some of us will get to visit with relatives we haven't seen in a long time. Stories will be told, photo albums will be passed around, and traditions will be shared. But many times we will lose the older members of our family before the next family gathering comes around. With them, we lose much of our family's history.

Preserving the rich history of a family goes beyond the simple research behind constructing a family tree. Many of the stories told recount a simpler time, a simpler way of life, a way of life that is not known by the younger members of a clan. These are the stories that make up an entire family legacy. It is up to us to preserve them.

While sitting with your relatives during these times, have a notebook handy to jot down some of the main points of the story that is being told. If you have a small personal tape recorder, you can use that as well, although be polite and let the storyteller know they are being recorded. If there are pictures in the family photo album that prompted the story, jot down in your note book which one it was. Later, when things have quieted down, sit down and write out as much of the story as you remember. This is a form of journaling and it is one of the best ways to keep memories intact. If you have questions, ask the family member that told the story the next day to clarify for you what they said.

If you have the time and inclination, start a scrapbook that contains these stories instead of leaving it just in a notebook. While not necessary to do to preserve your family's history, a scrapbook is a legacy of its own. It is a visual representation of the people and friends that make up your own unique world. Use acid free paper to mount your photographs and stories and embellish them with anything that strikes your fancy. Jot down little tidbits in the margins that you want to remember, such as Uncle Joe being elected class clown in 1903. Not only are these fun, they paint a picture of the relative that may not have been there before.

Take plenty of photos at family gatherings. With the advent of the digital camera, we can immediately see and mark our photos so that we do not forget who each individual in the picture is. Make sure you save your pictures on an external medium as well, such as a DVD-ROM or CD-ROM in case you ever lose your hard drive. These photos are too precious to lose. Print your photos on photo paper or acid free archival paper for inclusion in your scrapbook or journal. If they fade, you can always print them again.

Lastly, add in that family tree. Place it in the front of the scrapbook and do your best to keep it up to date. Involve your family in keeping their history and legacy alive. Let your children add their thoughts about their favorites relative, even if it to say that Aunt Lucy smells like disinfectant. It's these memories that are the most precious and create the richest legacy.

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Both Cara10 Barna10 & Bill Brennan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Cara10 Barna10 has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family Concerns. Cara Barna is author of article written on & . Fo. Cara10 Barna10's top article generates over 480 views. to your Favourites.

Bill Brennan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Food and Drink and Home Management. Bill Brennan is an avid reader and researcher who loves to share his finds with the rest of us. He believes we all need to do something to find out about our family history for our own. Bill Brennan's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.