New CG, Question 1: VIDEO BIOGRAPHY?

Posted by floridarick @floridarick, Jun 9 11:36am

Hi! My wife just got diagnosed with Mild Dementia, and we are soon testing for Alzheimer's. In the meantime, I am putting myself through my Google brand of, How To Become The Best Caregiver On The Planet course. Forums, podcasts, studies, books... I'm sure you all know the journey. So finally, here's my question.

My profession is Video Producer/editor. I have read online all of the suggestions of using pics and photo albums for her to look at, and, just before my Dad died of Alzheimer's, he couldn't get enough of looking at family pictures. At this time, my wife is mild, and she is fully aware of what she has and what's coming.

So... I'm considering creating a video with my son interviewing us together - about our life, how we met, the things we've done, our friends and family, etc. My son will ask us predertimed questions, and we tell our stories. SO MUCH has happened in our wonderful, amazing life, that we are talking a LONG video. One or two hours? I would overlay pictures, videos and her favorite music on top of our speaking audio, ala 60 minutes-ish. It could take me months to edit it, and I'm sure I'll cry all the way through the work, but if this can help her in the future, I'm excited to do it.
So... can this help her? Will she watch it over and over and enjoy it, or will it just confuser her and make her less happy??
What do you think???
Thanks!!!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

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.

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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

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@scottrl

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.

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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!

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@teacher502

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

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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...

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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!

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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.....

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@floridarick

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!

Jump to this post

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!

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@scottrl

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!

Jump to this post

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

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@floridarick

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

Jump to this post

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!

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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!

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