How the Film Is Created

Each film has a clear structure and storyline. At the beginning, we agree on who the main character will be, which family line we will follow, and what the scope of the work will be. Step by step, we then go through all the stages – from searching archival materials, preparing the script, and filming, to professional editing and final delivery of the finished film.

The Beginning of the Story

At the start we define who the main character of the film is and what the entire story will be about. At the same time, we set the family line and the scope of narration.

Main character We agree who opens the film and why they are crucial for the story.

Storyline We decide whether we will trace the paternal or maternal line, or cover all branches more broadly.

Depth of narration Before filming, it is necessary to determine how far back in history we will go. This plays a major role in the overall length and scope of the film.

Genealogical line – paternal — Family history – paternal line

Genealogical pedigree – all ancestors — Pedigree – all family lines

Genealogical line – maternal — Family history – maternal line

Storyline Options

For a smooth narrative we must define which line we will follow. There are three basic concepts of filming we can work with:

Paternal line In this version we follow the ancestors of the family surname. The story revolves around the male ancestors. Their wives are mentioned (including basic information about their parents). For completeness we can also trace and include all siblings.

Maternal line Here we follow the ancestors of the maternal line. Their husbands are also mentioned (including basic information about their parents). For completeness we can trace and include all siblings.

Pedigree of ancestors Covering all ancestors is demanding in terms of the number of people and the clarity for the viewer. We recommend limiting this to 2–3 generations back. We do not recommend combining this with all siblings. If you want a more comprehensive film, we suggest dividing the production into several parts.

Genealogical line – paternal with siblings — Paternal line – tracing and depicting all siblings

Genealogical pedigree – paternal without siblings — Paternal line – siblings not traced or included in the film

Available Sources

To prepare the film we gather as many authentic materials as possible, which allow us to build the story on solid facts. In addition to registers, we can also use other archives and collections to add depth and context.

Immigration materials Scans of immigration and naturalization documents, ship tickets.

Parish registers Digitized and physical records — births, marriages, deaths (parishes, towns, districts).

Historical photo archives Period photos, postcards, paintings, and maps.

Military records Service records, drafts, and war events.

Municipal and town chronicles Local history, events, and contemporary testimonies.

Land registry and property books Information on houses and land where the family lived, including owners and changes of ownership.

Court and notarial archives Wills, inheritance proceedings, lawsuits, contracts, and other documents.

Museum collections Regional museums, ethnographic collections, everyday life artifacts.

School chronicles and registers Records of study, teachers, classes, and school life.

Church archives Records of membership, pastoral care, church institutions and activities.

Newspaper archives Period articles, advertisements, announcements, and obituaries.

Cadastral maps and stable cadastre Historical maps of villages, fields, and homesteads where your ancestors lived.

Specialized genealogical databases Online projects, indexes, family registers to facilitate research.

We Write the Script

From the collected materials we create a detailed script, which becomes the backbone of the entire film — from personal lines to the history of places.

Histories of individuals We transcribe and translate register records, compiling documents into a coherent narrative.

Histories of locations General history of the village: under which rule it was, what life looked like there, and what has survived to the present.

The completed script will be sent to you for review and approval. Based on it, we can agree to search for some information in greater detail. Filming only begins after the script is approved.

We Film the Visual Material

Authentic places and the current look of locations give the story visual depth and emotion. Once we have the script ready, we head into the field and film unique footage of the places where your ancestors lived.

Contemporary footage How the places look today — from the ground and from a drone.

Historical sites What has been preserved from the past (churches, cemeteries, landmarks).

Birthplaces and locations Specific addresses and places tied to the lives of ancestors.

We Record the Narration

A professional voiceover adds rhythm, emotion, and clarity to the film. It is chosen according to the theme and your preferences.

Text preparation All texts are narrated using advanced artificial intelligence. Thanks to this, the narration is professional, consistent, and significantly reduces both cost and production time.

Voice variety We use male and female voices, casual or formal delivery, depending on the story’s character.

We Edit Everything Together

In the final phase we combine image, sound, archival materials, and graphics into a single coherent work. The result is a documentary that faithfully captures your family’s history and can be proudly passed on to future generations.

Want to know what the final film will look like? Go to the section What the Final Film Will Look Like...

How the Film Is Created – Archives and Sources