Coming soon: 'The Cash Peters Story'
This summer's next big blockbuster: you, if you're willing to foot the bill. Cash Peters explains how to get your life story -- or something like it -- immortalized on film.
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From Napa, CA, 05/31/2008
Rather than a big ego (as you wittily suggest), it takes a big heart, wisdom, and generosity to share achievements and life lessons. I interview clients, recording their oral histories; then edit the transcription and have their memoirs spiral bound or printed as a book. All family members hold stories, anecdotes, insights, and traditions in trust for future generations. The best memoirs unfold in a context of time and place, safeguarding historical details that might otherwise be lost. At the moment, Karen Silk and I are also writing a joint memoir of our parallel experiences: GAY HUSBANDS AND FATHERS: STRAIGHT TALK FROM TWO FORMER WIVES. You don’t have to be famous to have an interesting life story!
From Tucson, AZ, 05/30/2008
I have to disagree with you, Susan. As we've seen in the transition from film to tape to digital, there will always be a way to transfer from one visual medium to another. I think print and video both have their strong points. As a video biographer and president of Family Legacy Video, what draws me to video is the ability to capture not just content, but the visual and audio record of the person telling the stories. It makes for a very powerful and lasting legacy. I think the choice between print and video is one for the client to make - they are both terrific options.
From Glendale, AZ, 05/30/2008
Those of us who help people preserve their own stories are happy with the publicity, however flippant. Still, I point out to people that 100 years from now, videos will be unusable, but people, will, pray God, still be able to read (English) and therefore a hardbound book telling their story will have legacy value for generations.
From Las Vegas, NV, 05/29/2008
Absolutely loved this segment - and enjoyed Cash's perspective. Have listened to this segment again and again. In my opinion, $20,000 seems a bit steep for a 30-second documentary. I would think that 30 minutes of important home video footage would be more valuable.
From Los Angeles, CA, 05/29/2008
Wonderful and relevant story as baby boomers age up. I wrote about these growing trends in my comedy novel THE FUNERAL PLANNER and then launched the real life business Lights Out Enterprises. We produce original tribute videos in true movie fashion with locations and Hollywood talent, etc. Our tribute video "JACK THE MENCH" receives worldwide publicity because the concept alone touches on a universal need "to be remembered." FYI, look for The Funeral Planner webisode series starring Joss Stone.
From Vernon, NJ, 05/29/2008
I thought the piece was great. The video narrator a bit heavy..they should use a different narrator. I would like Will Lyman of Frontline or Liev Schriber to do my legacy narration-now that would sound like an importand life! I agree with Steve Pender--it doesn't have to cost a lot..I have seen Steve's work and it is terrific--definitely Ken Burnsian (Burnslike?) in quality... Everone should think about making one for a loved one who has passed away or who is in the Autumn of their years...
From Victoria, Canada, 05/29/2008
As a personal historian,I was pleased that Cash Peters did an item on the growing interest in life stories. I found the tone of the piece somewhat flippant but if it twigs people to the idea of getting their story told then so much the better.
I'd like to correct a false impression that Peters may have left. Not all videos or books produced by personal historians are in the "very expensive" category. I wouldn't want people to think that the only way they could get a personal history completed was to hand over $20,000. Cost does not always mean quality.
From Tucson, AZ, 05/29/2008
Cash Peters' segment on video biographies was funny, in a "Daily Show" kind of way, and I appreciated the humor. It is true that high-end video biographies are not inexpensive. My company, Family Legacy Video, creates personal video biographies that are equal in quality to any Ken Burns documentary - and because of the time and expense required to do this, only clients with deeper pockets can afford them. BUT, I do provide less expensive options and also teach workshops for folks who can't afford to hire a video biography company or who would just prefer to do it themselves.
Everyone has a life story to tell and all these stories deserve to be preserved for future generations. I've seen and experienced firsthand what a powerful impact a video biography can have on a family. Money doesn't have to be barrier.
From Green Bay, WI, 05/29/2008
Does Cash Peters' life story have more value than John Smith's, who survived a tornado, or more value than Bessie Barnes', who raised 13 children on a Nebraska prairie during the Depression? Cash's glib comments about legacy videos, suggesting that "only the rich and famous need apply," were insulting to all the individuals who value the histories of their parents and forebears.
Legacy videos and memoirs are for everyone who wants to share themselves and their values with their families. As a personal historian and member of the international Association of Personal Historians, I help people get their stories in print or on video or audio--often for private distribution for families and friends. I have a sliding fee scale. After seeing his grandfather's one-hour video memoir the grandson of one of my clients threw his arms around me and exclaimed, "I will always treasure it!"
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