Susan Shares: 30 Days of Valuable Tips for Families

Family Documentary Producer Susan Saunders commemorates Family History Month in October with a 30-day collection of insights on her blog, in a new column entitled "Susan Shares.”

Chicago, IL, October 24, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Family Documentary Producer Susan Saunders Celebrates Family History Month.

Family Documentary Producer Susan Saunders commemorates Family History Month in October with a 30-day collection of insights on her blog, in a new column entitled “Susan Shares." The column is dedicated to the parents and children who want to know how to honor families, preserve traditions and capture life stories.

"If our older generations do not record their stories, they will be lost forever," Saunders says. Her company is Family Line Studios, LLC, a unique "family" business.

Five years ago, Saunders found herself with the opportunity to transition back into the workforce to start a new career. Searching for her passion, she recalled her graduate school days when she had the experience of interviewing seniors about their life stories. While doing so, she discovered that most families did not know valuable aspects of their elder family members or details about their family history.

"It was beneficial for me to speak with these subjects and find out things that even I had not known about American history," Saunders remembers. "Even more striking to me was how their families responded to the interviews.Relatives were clearly unaware of fascinating details from their family history such as what their grandfather did for a living ,what life was like growing up on a farm or how their parents lived through the Depression. When I gave families the transcripts from the interviews, it transformed their images of their grandparents and parents into people who had led more interesting, challenging and vibrant lives than they had imagined."

When Saunders finished, she realized that she had compiled a virtual treasure chest of not only family history—but Americana as well. She recalls the warmth and generosity with which people shared their stories. Many of her subjects had never had such focused attention on their pasts; they were elated to share stories with their families.Memories of this experience returned to Saunders later in life and were the impetus to go from a stay-at-home-mom to a Family Documentary Producer. Family History Month begins October 1. Genealogy organizations nationwide herald the Holiday as opportunity to privilege family values and connection. Family Line Studios joins the celebration, with articles and blogs to help families celebrate this special time.

Family Line Studios is neither a typical narrative film production company or family portrait studio. It is a combination of both— as one of the few companies that use professional equipment, interviews and editing to document the most cherished stories of a family’s historical experience.Packages vary according to client needs, but the most popular feature a parent or grandparent in full recollection of their personal heritage, the family’s overall history and little-known biographical details. Saunders' goal with Family Line Studios is to leave relatives with the invaluable gift of a time capsule to retain forever.It is for children who want to honor their older relatives, or for those parents and grandparents who wish to leave behind more than a will.

After she realized she wanted to help families preserve their history through film, Saunders spent thousands of hours over two years in a self- apprenticeship.She trained with professional filmmakers and editors to learn the video, digital programs and storytelling skills she would need. She practiced while her children were in school.

Today, Saunders' movies are passionate, time-consuming collaborations between her and the families who entrust her with their stories. Saunders travels across plains, highways and skies to personally sit with families in their homes where they eagerly await to meet her. She handles families’ fragile and precious documents with reverence and care: birth certificates, marriage licenses, crumbling photos and newspaper clippings that she scans in to include in the documentaries. After the initial filming, document collection and interview processes, Saunders begins the grueling editing process to create each unique documentary. She synthesizes several tangents and threads into one fully cohesive story, editing nearly 3+ hours of video into a captivating 45 minute movie.

Says Saunders: "A documentary gives families a chance to pass on more than a financial portfolio. If their stories aren't captured, information is lost forever and families lose the chance to know about their foundations.But we can all honor family right now."

Saunders' expertise extends beyond documentary production and into family tradition writing, family connection tips and the genealogy community at large. To commemorate Family History Month in October, Susan Saunders will launch 30 days of tips, insights, noteworthy facts and celebration ideas to Americans. She will discuss how to revere their families, know their heritage, honor their parents and create documentation of their unique family histories. This endeavor, the column “Susan Shares," is a valuable reminder to families nationwide that each day is an opportunity to cherish our living past.

If you would like to feature Susan's column "Susan Shares," learn more about her, or feature some of her tips, please visit www.twitter/SusanFamilyDocs and www.familylinestudios.com.

Company Profile Detail :

Company Name : Family Line Studios

Contact E-Mail : info@ntrimagescapes.com

Company Website : http://www.familylinestudios.com

Contact Person : Kalisha Buckhanon

Contact No. : 773-219-9080

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Family Line Studios
Kalisha Buckhanon
773-219-9080
www.familylinestudios.com
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