Welcome to Sonderful

We’re so glad you’re here. Whether this is for you or someone you love (or both!), thank you for entrusting us with your project.  It's a privilege to help bring someone’s stories to light...and we don’t take that lightly. 

Each project includes at least two Zoom sessions: our Intro & Tech Test Day and your Recording Day (or days...some people choose to split their recording across two sessions for ease. If that’s the case, we’ll just ask you to wear the same outfit and sit in the same spot both times so everything stays seamless in the final edit). 

If the video's for you, just reach out to schedule your Intro & Tech Test Zoom meeting with us. If it’s a gift, please email both the recipient and us (donna@sonderfulproductions.com), so we can connect directly, and we’ll take it from there. 

The Intro & Tech Test Day (usually about 30 minutes) is relaxed, friendly, and essential. We’ll get to know each other, talk through ideas, go over what to expect on Recording Day, and book the date(s). We’ll also test your setup: Wi-Fi, lighting, background (real, not virtual or blurred), sound, and camera. Note: do the Intro & Tech Test in the same spot you plan to be on Recording Day.

Need any Zoom tech guidance before we meet up? Click here.

As memories start bubbling up (they will!), jot down a few keywords or names as they come to you, just enough to jog your memory on Recording Day. Be sure to include any family history or hard-to-remember ancestor names. You’re also welcome to hold up any special photos or keepsakes during your Recording Day session as those often spark wonderful stories. 

Check in with family and friends to see if there are any “must-tell” stories they hope you’ll share, or questions they’d love to hear you answer. These often turn out to be the stories people treasure most, even if they seem ordinary to you. If you’d rather not be the go-between, feel free to introduce us! We’re happy to gather their ideas directly. (And we always love meeting the family.) 

Think about the kinds of things you've always wished you could ask your grandparents or great-grandparents. Let’s capture those answers now for your future generations to treasure. We’ll ask about your childhood, parents, siblings, ancestry, school days, military service, love stories, marriage, career adventures, family life, children (and their partners), grandkids, great-grandkids, friends, pets, hobbies, values, and passions...everything that makes you you. Not all will apply, and you can always skip anything you’d rather not talk about. The conversation is entirely up to you. 

Some of our favorite moments come from a mix of fun, quirky, and sometimes unexpected questions. You can answer with whatever comes to mind, or skip anything that doesn’t spark something. The only thing we ask? If a question (or your answer) jogs a memory, don’t hold back! Tell the story. These quick prompts often uncover parts of your life that don’t come up in a traditional interview, and help bring your story to life in a way most autobiographies never do. It’s those little unexpected pearls that people tend to treasure the most. 

If you'd like us to include photos in your video, now’s a great time to start gathering them. We won’t begin editing until we’ve received all the images you, your family, or friends would like to share. Please send up to 40 photos, and aim for a mix: baby and childhood moments (especially with parents, siblings, and grandparents), school days, sports, military service, career milestones, weddings, family life, celebrations, vacations, ancestor portraits, and favorite group shots. Email or text photos to us, or share a link or photo album folder...whatever works best for you.

Here are a few tips to help you get ready: 

• Wear something comfortable (just not stripes, which can be tricky on camera). 
• Sit in the same spot as your Tech Test.
• Have a glass of water nearby.
• Keep story notes, photos, and any keepsakes within reach.
• Silence phones and turn off notifications. 
• Turn off Wi-Fi on unused devices nearby for a stronger signal.
• Be sure your face is centered on screen, not too high or low.
• Is your device acting a little mischievous today? Click here for some friendly Zoom tips.
• Join the Zoom link up to 30 minutes early if you'd like to settle in.
   

Together, we’ll check sound, lighting, and setup to make sure everything looks and sounds great. 

You’d be surprised how many people start by saying, “I don’t have enough stories to fill an hour,” and then wish they had more time once they get going. We like to think of the longer videos as a library of information about a person or couple. Friends and family can check out a “chapter” (we’ll add clickable timestamps for easy navigation), and the storyteller gets the peace of mind knowing we’ve captured everything they wanted to share. 

If your session was purchased as a gift, it may come with a set amount of recording time. We’ll keep you informed about how much time is left and how we’re pacing. If your session is open-ended, we’ll let you know when you're nearing a milestone and you can decide whether to wrap up or continue (just note that additional recording time does come with an added fee, since it also adds to our editing time). If your video is a gift, we’ll check in with you, or the gift giver, before going beyond the original package. No pressure, ever. 

After your Recording Day, and once we’ve received any photos you’d like us to include (up to 40), we begin the editing journey: the final step before your video is ready to share. Editing usually takes about 30 days, during which we carefully polish, organize, and make sure your story truly shines. The questions Donna asked will appear as on-screen “title cards,” keeping the focus on you and your stories. You’ll get the first look via a private YouTube link, with the opportunity to request any adjustments before we send your final version, ready to share with family and friends.

The completed full-length video can be delivered in a few ways: as a private YouTube link (viewable only by those you share it with and complete with clickable chapter timestamps), an MP4 file via Google Drive (or similar), or on a flash drive mailed to you upon request.

Recording life stories has been a true privilege. We’ve cried (really cried) with clients during the hard parts, nearly fallen off our chairs laughing during the funny ones (yes, there’s footage!) and navigated our way together through everything in between. We’ve been amazed by how open and real people become once we settle in and start talking. It turns into an experience we share, and one we don’t take for granted. We definitely want to know if there’s anything we can do to make the experience more comfortable and meaningful for you, and we hope you’ll let us know. 

Call, text, email, send notes by carrier pigeon...we're here for any and all of it.

Donna Schenker Holly

Sonderful Productions LLC
📞 646.554.8800
📧 donna@sonderfulproductions.com

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