New CG, Question 1: VIDEO BIOGRAPHY?

I think that's a fabulous idea! Talk about a labor of love. God bless you!

In fact, I'd make a bunch of videos. Revisit favorite places, restaurants, events, all that.

Maybe you could do a series of shorter episodes, to make the editing and replay easier. (That's what I am doing with my YouTube channel.)

I wish I had a video of my own life. It's surprising how few photos I have of old friends, family, places I lived, etc.

Seems to me your entire family would benefit from this project.

Oh wow! I only wish I had your skills to do something like this. I do believe it will help her hang on to many important people and events for a very long time. You entire family will cherish this for decades and for many generations. Please, by all means do this.....it might even be the beginning of a documentary that will help all of us on this unwanted journey.
Thanks for sharing!
Jan

Hi Scott!
Funny, we were just talking about setting it up with a menu at the front of the video with titles of all the different stories, so you just click a title and it will jump to it. I have a friend who does this.
Thanks for the suggestions!

Thanks Jan for the positive feedback! You make me more excited about the project. My wife (Priscilla) and I were just talking about whether we should organise the video chronologically, or in categories, like, Vacations, Children, Events, etc. If I do categories, I'll still go chronologically within the categories. But was wondering (and I know so little) if setting it up chronologically (for example, everything the happened in 1980 when we met) could time-shift her. I don't know...

Personally,I would go with organizing chronologically within categories. Allows for shorter time spans and similar content. As disease progresses, attention span becomes shorter and smaller categories of videos will be easier to relate to...and you can find them quicker whenever the family at the event comes to visit to refresh both of you!... this heartfelt idea makes me wish I was in your family. Please let us know how this comes out!

Don't worry about time shifting - that may and probably will happen on its own anyway, but the fight to remember and treasure moments is the most important part of this project. This will not just be for sweet Priscilla, but for everyone who adores her.....

Glad to help!

My mission is different from yours; I'm trying to relate my stroke experience to help inform/inspire others.

My technique is very simple, since I have to do everything with only one hand:
I set up a webcam and record short (~5-minutes) episodes. I shoot a complete take at a time, extemporizing the script.

I use free software, the VSDC Video Editor, for very simple editing -- overlaying text, superimposing images, etc. For title pages, I make simple PowerPoint slides. I get tired very quickly, so I have to keep it simple.
Next, I export the video to whatever format I want and upload to YouTube. Here's the result:
https://www.youtube.com/@srlucado/videos
You might consider YouTube as a way to distribute to extended family, etc., using privacy controls to limit exposure. I have a feeling your whole family is going to be interested in this!

I'm probably not telling you anything you don't already know. Good luck with your project!

I saw your video(s) Scott. Looks great!
Since I produce TV video for a living, I'm got TOO MUCH editing stuff, software, equipment, etc., lol. But that doesn't change CONTENT (Editing rule: Content is King) which is what you have proved with your videos. Nice work.
I'm very finilar with VSDC, which is an open source clone of Adobe Premier. It's a fantastic tool, and even better to learn on if you ever plan to upgrade. Great choice!
I'll upload to a few different locations, including Youtube. But seeing your layout has convinced me that at least one version needs to cut into seperate videos. Makes a lot more sense.
If you ever want some formatting or filming feedback, let me know.
Thanks for your feedback!
-Rick

Thanks, Rick!

I scripted, produced, and narrated videos for companies like American Airlines and Lockheed Martin. My background is training design and development. Actual camerawork and editing was done by the professional Multimedia folks, so as you can see those are real weak spots for me, let alone the limitations of my disability.

I'd welcome any feedback. Please reply by private message, so we don't get this too far off-topic.

Thanks!

Awwww...don't reply by private message! I am enjoying this and learning a lot! (Just kidding...but it is fun to see friendships start with Mayo Clinic Connect!