People often ask what we actually say when the camera turns on. The truth is, there’s no magic script — every person’s story is different. But over many interviews, a handful of questions have proven to open almost anyone up. Try them at your next family dinner. You may be surprised what comes out.
1. “What’s your earliest memory?”
It’s gentle, it’s easy to answer, and it almost always leads somewhere unexpected — a smell, a room, a person long gone. Starting at the very beginning helps someone settle in and trust the conversation.
2. “Who shaped you the most?”
This question moves past events and into people — the mentor, the grandparent, the friend. The answer usually carries the values someone has lived by, often without ever saying them out loud before.
3. “What’s a decision that changed everything?”
Every life has a fork in the road — a move, a leap, a risk taken or refused. Asking about it invites reflection on courage, regret, and consequence. This is where the real story often begins.
4. “What was the hardest season of your life — and how did you get through it?”
Handle this one with care, but don’t skip it. People are often proud of what they survived, and sharing it can be a gift — both to them and to whoever hears it later and needs to know it can be done.
5. “What do you want people to remember?”
End here. It hands someone the chance to say the thing that matters most — a message to children, grandchildren, and the ones who aren’t born yet. It’s often the most treasured moment of the whole conversation.
A few gentle rules
Ask, then listen. Don’t rush the pauses. Follow curiosity over your list. And if a story deserves more than a dinner-table telling — if it deserves to be preserved properly — that’s exactly what we do. Get in touch and let’s talk about capturing it on film.