I have a lot of respect for people who run their own businesses. And the level of that
respect has skyrocketed since starting my own. Who knew that there were so many
forms to fill out and so many hoops to jump through!
Today I am delivering the final draft of a Life Story to a client. The nervousness
surrounding this reminds me of the moment I would step out of the control room at C-SPAN after producing a live program. Looking around, you wonder if anybody was
going to say anything. Did they like it? Did they not like it?
Of course, the network had moved on to its next live program and my work became one of many, many such shows that would air that week or that month.
Now, doing Life Stories, I realize that families will be taking a critical look at my work.
I welcome it. Doing a Life Story is, for most, a once in a lifetime experience. These
videos will live on long past the time the client (and myself!) will be on this earth. I want
it to be the best it can be, both editorially and technically.
Yesterday, I signed up a new client. What a rush!!! I am very aware of the trust that
new clients put in my hands. I return that trust with a promise to do whatever possible
to make their Life Story recording and editing a pleasurable and memorable experience.
On a sadder note, one of clients became ill this week. He was scheduled to do a Life
Story later in this year. But suddenly, a brain tumor was found. Today he is in Hospice
no longer able to communicate well enough to do a Life Story. I tell you that not to end
this blog on a downer...but to remind us all not to delay. The daughter of my client is very sad that, having made the decision to have her dad tell his Life Story, she will not
be able to hand down his stories to her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren in this new and unique way.
Coming up....a road trip to the Midwest to see my family and to do some Life Stories! Stay tuned for highlights.