What To Expect

A detailed look at our process and approach

How a Retold film is made

The reasoning that shapes the film

Every film we create is shaped around a story, their character, and what feels most important to show the audience.

For families looking to professionally record a loved one’s life story, the process is designed to feel simple, guided and natural from the outset.

Some focus on individual stories and moments.
Others explore a full lifetime.
And sometimes, as in this case, we bring both together.

This film began as a family. We spoke about:

  • the stories we already knew

  • the ones we wanted to explore further

  • and what felt important to hold onto

This process helps shape the direction of the film, ensuring it reflects not just a life, but what matters most to the people closest to it.

In this case, there was also a sense of urgency. A terminal diagnosis meant we had a limited window to capture these moments, even as energy and health declined.

Although this documentary had been something we had discussed before, it became clear that this was the time to do it.

Creating the right environment

Where and how someone is filmed matters.

We chose to film in a familiar, comfortable space, a chair in his lounge that he always sat in, surrounded by the things that were part of everyday life.

Rather than overly styling or simplifying the environment, we kept it honest: stacks of newspapers and magazines remained, just as they always had (he was a bit of a hoarder). These details matter, they help the film feel true to them.

Lighting was carefully introduced to support this:

  • a natural key light to softly shape his face

  • a subtle background light designed to resemble sunlight falling across his display cabinet

  • small personal details, like his model buses, quietly highlighted

Everything was considered, but never staged to the point it lost authenticity.

Filming the conversation

Natural, not performed

Family members sat around him, asking questions and responding in a familiar way.
This helped create a relaxed atmosphere, allowing stories to surface naturally rather than feeling prompted or rehearsed. Adding to the natural feel, faint laughter and reactions from family can be heard in the background on the video.

The role behind the camera was to gently guide, keeping things on track, while allowing space for moments to unfold.

The interview took place across two sessions, several months apart, each lasting around two hours.

The recording setup was kept professional but unobtrusive:

  • high-quality broadcast microphone to capture voice clearly

  • two professional 4K cameras to preserve natural flow and allow subtle shifts in perspective

The focus, however, was never on the equipment, it was on capturing something honest.

Building the film

All directions considered

The film was carefully constructed using a rich personal archive.

This included:

  • photographs and cine film spanning his entire life

  • rare colour 16mm family footage from the early 1940s

  • moments recorded by him and family that reflected his interests and character

These elements allowed the film to extend beyond the interview, offering a fuller picture of how he lived and experienced the world.

Sound and music were chosen with equal care. The original film featured a recording of The Lark Ascending, performed by a musician he knew personally and the opening animated logo was one he had commissioned for his business in the mid 80’s.

The result is not just a sequence of answers or memories.
We have a vivid record of his voice, humour, mannerisms and his way of telling a story.

This film is something we return to and to feel close to him again.
That is ultimately what a Retold film is designed to be: not just a record of a life, but a way of holding onto a person.

A note about this version

What makes it unique

The version of the film on our website differs slightly from the original. The soundtrack has been changed for copyright reasons.

This edit was created specifically for my father’s funeral service, and was completed within a short timeframe of a few weeks. The interviews themselves were filmed over the year prior.

At just over seven minutes, this film is intentionally concise. Shorter versions like this serve a different purpose, offering something that can be easily revisited, allowing family and friends to reflect, remember and feel close again without needing to commit to a longer viewing experience.

As part of any package, longer films can also be created, exploring stories in greater depth. This format provides a simple and powerful way to return to someone’s presence.

It could be a full documentary film, or a shorter piece created for a specific event, such as a milestone birthday or anniversary.

For now and for the future

Start preserving your family story

If you’ve been considering having a documentary made of your family, your story, or you’d like to give a gift that could last for generations, we’d be delighted to start a conversation.