When we started The Life Chronicles, our goal was simple: capture life stories on film so families could preserve voices, expressions, and memories for generations. Over the past year, we’ve seen how powerful video can be. But we’ve also heard a recurring request: “Can I have something to hold in my hands?”
That’s why we’re adding a new option to our offerings: the TLC Story Book. It’s not meant to replace the video experience, but to complement it — transforming transcripts, photos, and memories into a beautiful hardcover book.
🎥 Film vs. 📖 Book: Different Experiences
Video is immediate and emotional — you hear the laughter, see the gestures, and feel the warmth of someone’s presence. But a book offers something different:
- Reflection: A book allows you to slow down, reread, and linger on words or phrases. Research on autobiographical memory shows that written recall encourages reflection and re-interpretation over time [Pennebaker & Seagal, 1999].
- Depth: In print, details can be unpacked and footnoted. Families can even make notes in the margins, adding their own layers to the story.
- Tactility: Studies in psychology and human-computer interaction show that physical books create stronger sensory associations than screens [Mangen, Walgermo & Brønnick, 2013]. The feel of paper and the presence of a book on a shelf reinforce permanence.
- Accessibility: For older relatives or those less comfortable with digital media, a book is straightforward. No batteries, no devices — just turn the page.
Together, video and book form a complete storytelling set: one captures how a story is told, the other preserves it in words and images you can hold.
The Base Package
The TLC Story Book (Companion Edition) includes:
- Transcription of one TLC video or podcast interview
- Light editing for readability while preserving your authentic voice
- Integration of up to 20 photos
- Professional memoir-style design and layout
- One hardcover copy (60–100 pages, standard print quality)
- Digital PDF edition for easy sharing
This is designed as a natural add-on to our Standard or Deluxe TLC video sessions — a way to transform your film into a tangible heirloom.
Optional Add-Ons
Because every family has different needs, we also offer optional extras:
- Extra photos or extended transcripts → add more pages
- Premium print upgrades → archival paper, linen or leather binding, slipcases
- Additional hardcover copies → gift to children, siblings, or close friends
- Film + Book Gift Set → a keepsake box containing your video USB and the book together
- Multilingual editions → translation into heritage languages so future generations can connect more deeply
- Photo restoration → we scan and retouch old prints, negatives, positive film, or slides, restoring them to their best possible quality
These extras reflect the same principle we bring to our films: your story, your way.
Why This Matters
Sociologists note that family storytelling is a primary way culture and values are transmitted across generations [Stone, 2004]. Memory research shows that children who grow up hearing detailed stories about their parents’ and grandparents’ past develop stronger identity and resilience [Duke, Lazarus & Fivush, 2008].
By combining film and book, families don’t just archive memories — they create interactive heirlooms. A granddaughter might watch her grandmother’s video to hear her voice, then flip through the book years later, making notes alongside the photos. These different media reinforce each other, ensuring stories are both felt and remembered.
Closing Thought
The TLC Story Book isn’t just another product. It’s an invitation to deepen the storytelling experience — to add permanence, reflection, and accessibility to the voices we’ve already preserved on film.
Whether you keep it simple with the base package or enhance it with multilingual editions and restored photos, the result is the same: a legacy that can be watched, read, gifted, and cherished.
Because every story deserves to live not just on screen, but also on the page.