About
LifeStory is a fully managed video interview service designed to help families capture, preserve, and share the stories of their loved ones. Founded by Mark Noonan, LifeStory removes the burden of planning and conducting a life-story interview by handling everything from scheduling to professional video production. The process is straightforward: purchase the service, receive an invitation to schedule a convenient interview time, and a professional interviewer conducts a warm, guided 1:1 session via Google Meet using 71 thoughtfully crafted questions. These questions are designed to surface cherished memories, family secrets, forgotten adventures, and life wisdom. The interviewer prepares participants in advance and guides them through each step, even providing tech support for less tech-savvy family members. Approximately two weeks after the interview, clients receive a professionally edited 2-hour keepsake video in 16:9 format, complete with a personalized opening title sequence and musical scoring. Additionally, three short "Top Stories" clips in 1:1 format are delivered for easy sharing on social media. Files are accessible via download or USB drive. LifeStory is ideal as a meaningful gift for parents, grandparents, retirees, or veterans — anyone whose stories deserve to be heard by future generations. For those who prefer the DIY route, LifeStory also offers a free "101 Questions to Ask Your Parents" PDF guide. Whether creating a family heirloom or documenting personal heritage, LifeStory turns life stories into lasting treasures.
Key Features
- 71 In-Depth Interview Questions: Professionally crafted questions designed to surface deep memories, family secrets, meaningful life lessons, and forgotten stories.
- Guided 1:1 Video Interview: A professional interviewer conducts the entire session via Google Meet, preparing participants and guiding the conversation from start to finish.
- Professionally Edited Keepsake Video: Receive a full 2-hour edited video (16:9) complete with a personalized opening title sequence and original musical scoring.
- Top 3 Stories Social Clips: Three short highlight clips in 1:1 format are delivered for easy sharing on social media platforms with family and friends.
- Flexible Delivery Options: Finished video files are delivered via easy digital download or shipped on a USB drive for a physical keepsake.
Use Cases
- Gifting a parent or grandparent's full life story as a professionally edited video keepsake for the whole family to cherish across generations.
- Capturing a war veteran's service memories, sacrifices, and personal stories before they are lost forever.
- Preserving an elderly relative's wisdom, childhood memories, and family history as part of a genealogy or heritage project.
- Creating a deeply personal retirement gift that documents a colleague's or mentor's career journey, achievements, and life philosophy.
- Recording a grandparent's stories as a surprise gift for grandchildren who never had the chance to hear them in person.
Pros
- Fully Managed End-to-End: LifeStory handles scheduling, preparation, interviewing, and professional editing — no effort or expertise required from the family.
- High-Quality Production Value: The final video is professionally edited with titles, music scoring, and a personalized opening sequence, making it a polished and shareable heirloom.
- Accessible for All Ages: The Google Meet format includes hands-on tech guidance, making it comfortable and easy even for elderly or less tech-savvy participants.
- Meaningful and Lasting Gift: Creates a timeless keepsake that captures a loved one's voice, face, and stories for future generations to see and hear forever.
Cons
- Premium Price Point: At $595 per interview, the service may be outside the budget for some families seeking memory preservation options.
- Two-Week Turnaround: The edited video is delivered approximately two weeks after the interview, which may not suit those needing content urgently.
- Single Interview Format: The service is built around one structured session, which may not capture the full depth of a lifetime of stories for very talkative or complex subjects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the LifeStory interview conducted?
The interview is conducted as a 1:1 video chat via Google Meet. The interviewer provides simple step-by-step instructions and tech assistance to ensure the process is easy even for those less comfortable with technology.
How much does LifeStory cost?
The LifeStory service is priced at $595, which includes the full professionally edited 2-hour keepsake video and three top story clips for social sharing.
What do I receive after the interview?
You receive a full 2-hour professionally edited video (16:9) with a personalized opening sequence and music scoring, plus three short "Top Stories" clips (1:1) formatted for social media sharing. Files are delivered via download or USB drive.
How long does it take to receive the finished video?
The completed, professionally edited video is typically delivered approximately two weeks after the interview session.
Is there a free option if I want to do it myself?
Yes. LifeStory offers a free downloadable PDF titled "101 Questions To Ask Your Parents" for families who prefer to conduct their own interview at home.
