Anne's First Job
Anne recalls her first interviews and promotions.
Personal interview films
Their words, their story.
Professionally filmed interviews with you and your family members, edited into personal films to keep forever.
Film excerpts
A slice of life.
Watch some examples to get an idea of what the interviews will be like. I prioritise making sure people are comfortable and relaxed in familiar surroundings, and having a fun, natural conversation.
John's University Club
John remembers his days in the Television Club.
What is it for?
Discovering the untold stories.
Most people have heard old stories in little bits and pieces over the years, but there's always much more that goes unsaid. A Now & Then film is a chance to explore those memories and histories in the depth they deserve. After all, who hasn't sometimes wondered how their parents really met, or what their grandparents were getting into trouble for as teenagers?
You may want to learn more about your family's history, want to understand more about a certain time in someone's life, or even make sure your own story gets told in your own words for other people to hear.
Whatever the reason, a film can be commissioned for yourself or for someone in your family, as long as the person being filmed is happy to take part. All we need to get started is a conversation.
The process
How it works
There are four stages, from initial planning to delivery of the finished film.
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1
Planning
We start with an informal conversation and a questionnaire to work out the people, places, events and subjects you would like the interview to cover.
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2
Filming
The interview is professionally filmed in a familiar setting. There is no need to rehearse anything beforehand, and there is plenty of time to pause, repeat something or take a break.
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3
Editing
I edit the interview into the finished film and, where agreed, incorporate photographs or other archive material.
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4
Review and delivery
You receive a private review copy and can request one round of changes before the final film is delivered.
Comfort & control
The person being interviewed has the final say.
I've been privileged to interview people from all walks of life, and developed my calm, friendly approach with the aim of having natural and relaxed conversations with people who may not necessarily start out being comfortable on camera.
I make sure that every step is clearly explained. There is no pressure, plenty of time to pause and think, and the person being interviewed has complete control over how much they want to do or say. Above all, I hope to make it an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for the interviewee.
Packages
Packages and prices.
Choose the amount of filming time and scope that suits the story you want to tell.
Story Session£695
A focused film built around one interview.
- Filming
- One interview of up to 90 minutes
- Finished film
- Approximately 20–35 minutes
- Archive material
- Up to 10 photographs or documents
- Turnaround
- Approximately 3 weeks
The Story Session includes:
- Pre-interview questionnaire and planning call
- Private online delivery
- One physical USB copy
- One agreed review round
Recommended
Signature Film£895
Builds on the Story Session, with more filming time, a longer finished film and a larger archive allowance.
- Filming
- One filming session of up to 2.5 hours
- Finished film
- Approximately 45–75 minutes, plus a 3–5 minute highlights film
- Archive material
- Up to 25 photographs, documents or short home-video clips
- Turnaround
- Approximately 4 weeks
Everything in the Story Session, plus:
- Up to one additional hour of filming
- A longer finished film
- A separate 3–5 minute highlights film
- A larger archive allowance, including short home-video clips
Now & Then Film£1,495
Builds on the Signature Film for a broader story involving more filming, archive material and family participation.
- Filming
- Up to five hours across two sessions of up to 2.5 hours each, or one extended session
- Finished film
- Approximately 75–120 minutes, plus a 3–5 minute highlights film
- Archive material
- Up to 50 photographs, documents or pre-selected home-video clips
- Turnaround
- Approximately 5 weeks
Everything in the Signature Film, plus:
- A second filming session or one extended session
- A longer finished film and larger archive allowance
- Agreed contributions from additional family members
- Optional recorded messages for future milestones
All prices include planning, professional filming, editing, private delivery and the agreed review round. Additional travel costs, where applicable, are confirmed in the quotation.
Payment is split 30% deposit on booking, 30% after filming and 40% before final delivery.
I'm always happy to discuss additions to the basic packages such as subtitles or including more archive material, these can be priced separately on an individual basis.
About
Meet the filmmaker
Hi, I'm Alec. I started Now & Then after spending many years conducting personal interviews for all sorts of clients and recognising that everyone has a few untold tales that their families would love to hear.
I was inspired by wanting to hear more from my own relatives. I think for most people there are whole periods of their loved ones' lives that they really know very little about - and unless we take the time to ask, we may never know!
I wanted to use the experience I’ve built up through professional filmmaking to make something more personal; films that make sure that families hear their own stories, in their own words.
Direct contact throughoutProfessional filming and editingPrivate family delivery
Questions
FAQs
Who can be interviewed?
The person being filmed needs to understand what is being made and agree to take part. The person booking the film and the person being interviewed do not need to be the same person.
Where does filming take place?
Filming is available across the UK. Any travel costs are agreed as part of the quotation.
Can photographs and other family material be included?
Yes, where this is included in the agreed package. Material needs to be supplied in a suitable format and you must have permission to use it.
How long does the finished film take?
The usual turnaround is 3–5 weeks depending on the agreed package and provided that payments, archive material and review notes are received on time.
Is the film made public?
No. The finished film is delivered for private family use (although you may share it yourself afterwards). I won’t use clips, stills, names or testimonials publicly without separate permission.
What happens to the footage afterwards?
Working footage and project files are normally retained for 90 days after final delivery and then deleted. The full privacy notice explains what information I keep and for how long.
Free consultation
Start a conversation.
Tell me who the film is for and what you have in mind. I aim to reply within one working day.