For Complete Beginners
Getting Started
Never recorded a family interview before? This guide takes you from "What am I doing?" to "I've got this!" in just 30 minutes.
You're About to Do Something Truly Valuable
Every family story you capture today becomes a priceless treasure for future generations. No filmmaking experience needed – just your willingness to listen and connect!
Why This Matters More Than You Might Think
Researchers at Emory University's Family Narratives Lab have spent decades studying what makes families resilient. Their finding is clear: children and young people who regularly hear and tell their family's stories — together, across generations — show stronger self-esteem, a clearer sense of identity, and greater ability to handle adversity.
The key word is together. It's not the archived recording that creates these outcomes. It's the act of the conversation itself — the listening, the questions, the retelling.
Everything on this page is designed to help you have that conversation well.
Research: Professor Marshall Duke & Dr Robyn Fivush, Emory University Family Narratives Lab
Welcome, New Storyteller!
This guide is designed for people who have never recorded a video interview or directed anything before, want to capture meaningful family stories but don't know where to start, and need simple, clear steps with no confusing jargon.
By the End of This Guide, You'll Be Able To:
- Set up a simple, effective recording environment with just a smartphone
- Feel confident asking questions that lead to meaningful stories
- Create a comfortable atmosphere for your storyteller
- Capture your first successful family story session
What to Expect as a First-Time Director
The Fun Parts
- Hearing family stories you've never heard before
- Seeing your storyteller's face light up with memories
- Creating something meaningful together
- Connecting deeply with older generations
Common Concerns (All Normal!)
- • Feeling awkward or nervous at first (totally normal!)
- • Worrying about technical issues (we'll keep it simple)
- • Not knowing what questions to ask (we've got you covered)
- • Handling emotional moments (we'll show you how)
Your 5 Basic Responsibilities
As a family story director, your job is beautifully simple: create a comfortable space for stories to be shared and preserved. You're not making a Hollywood movie – you're facilitating connection!
Create a comfortable atmosphere
Find a quiet space, minimise distractions, and help your storyteller feel at ease.
Ask engaging questions
Start with easy ones, listen actively, and follow up on interesting details.
Listen with genuine interest
Make eye contact, nod, and show you're truly interested in what they're sharing.
Manage basic recording setup
Ensure your phone/camera is recording, check audio levels, and watch battery life.
Guide the conversation flow
Keep things on track, but allow for meaningful tangents and natural storytelling.
The Secret Sauce: Genuine Connection
The most successful first-time directors focus more on creating genuine human connection than on technical perfection. Perfect lighting is nice, but authentic conversation is what truly matters. Trust us: if you care about the stories being shared, you're already 90% of the way to success!
15-Minute Quick Start Guide
In a hurry? This ultra-simplified guide will get you up and running in just 15 minutes. Perfect for your very first recording session!
Grab Your Phone
1 minuteThat's it! A smartphone is all you need to start. Make sure it has at least 30% battery and some free storage space.
Find a Quiet Spot
2 minutesChoose a comfortable, quiet location with good natural light. Near a window is perfect. Avoid noisy areas (kitchens, busy streets).
Simple Setup
3 minutesSit your storyteller in a comfortable chair. Position yourself nearby. Put your phone on a stable surface (a stack of books works!) about arm's length away.
Quick Phone Settings
2 minutesOpen your camera app. Switch to video mode. Ensure your storyteller is clearly visible and centred in the frame. Do a 5-second test recording to check sound.
Starter Questions
2 minutesChoose 2-3 simple questions from our list below. Write them down or memorise them. Start with something easy and positive.
Begin Recording
1 minuteStart recording. Smile, take a deep breath, and ask your first question. Then focus on listening, not on the technology.
Listen & Respond
15+ minutesNod, make eye contact, and show interest. When they finish answering, ask simple follow-ups like "What happened next?" or "How did that make you feel?"
Quick-Start Question List
Choose 2-3 of these proven conversation starters for your first session:
Quick-Start Success Tip
For your very first session, aim for just 15-20 minutes of recording. It's better to have a short, successful experience than to try for too much and feel overwhelmed. You can always do more sessions later!
An Even More Natural Approach: Activity-Based Capture
The Quick Start above works well for willing storytellers in a quiet setting. But many of the richest family stories emerge somewhere else entirely.
When your grandfather is teaching you to fix something. When your grandmother is showing you how to make a family recipe. When you're driving somewhere together, or walking through the old neighbourhood, or sorting through a box of old photos.
Side by side, hands busy, doing something together — that's when stories pour out naturally. And it's precisely the kind of conversation that research shows matters most for building family resilience.
This is called activity-based capture, and it often produces richer, more natural stories than any formal interview could.
How It Works
Choose an activity your storyteller enjoys
Cooking, fixing, gardening, a drive to somewhere meaningful, sorting through old photos
Focus on the shared experience first, recording second
The activity creates the comfort. The conversation follows naturally.
Use natural questions
"Will you teach me how...?" "What's the story behind...?" "Did your mum make it like this too?"
Let the conversation lead wherever it goes
Tangents are where the gold is. Don't redirect — follow.
Record alongside the activity
Phone on a stand nearby, or simply in hand. The visuals of the activity add richness to the story.
Go Deeper: The Full Conversation Design Guide
For a complete guide to twelve different activity contexts — from cooking sessions to evening porch sits to family reunions — explore the Conversation Design methodology on MyFamilyStories FOREVER.
Explore activity-based capture contextsGet the Kids Involved — MyFamilyStories FOREVER
One of the most powerful discoveries in family story capture is this: kids are often better at it than adults. They're relaxed. They're curious. They ask the questions adults are too polite to ask. And their grandparents light up for them in ways they rarely do for a camera.
MyFamilyStories FOREVER is a gamified app built around this insight. Parents and grandparents "commission" kids to capture family stories — and kids earn rewards for their roles as interviewer, camera operator, or story archivist. It turns story capture from a project into a game, and from a solo activity into a family event.
Explore MyFamilyStories FOREVERSuper Simple Tech Guide
You don't need expensive equipment. Here's everything you need to know about using what you already have.
Smartphone (Recommended)
- Film in landscape (horizontal) mode
- Clean the camera lens
- Turn on Do Not Disturb
- Use a stable surface or tripod
Lighting
- Face your storyteller towards a window
- Avoid bright light behind them
- Soft, even light is best
- Turn on lamps if too dark
Audio
- Get close – within arm's length
- Turn off TVs, fans, AC units
- Choose a quiet room
- Do a quick test recording first
Framing
- Head and shoulders visible
- Leave space above their head
- Eyes in upper third of frame
- Simple background (no clutter)
Want Better Equipment?
Once you're comfortable with the basics, check out our equipment recommendations in the Gear Room. We have options for every budget.
Browse Camera GearNext Steps
Congratulations! You now have everything you need to capture your first family story. Here's what to do next:
From Dive Deep Dialogues
Take Your Storytelling Further
Explore our apps designed to help you become a master family storyteller.
Story Threads
Family Storytelling App
Interactive tools like Family Story Mapper, Narrative Archaeologist, and Wisdom Extraction to uncover and preserve your family's unique stories.
Explore Story ThreadsArt of Story
Storytelling Skills App
Master the craft of storytelling with structured modules, assessments, and practical exercises to become a more compelling narrator.
Explore Art of StoryContinue Your Journey
Interview Skills
Master active listening, question techniques, and how to handle emotional moments with grace.
Learn moreStorytelling Foundations
Learn the Four Pillars, SHARE Method, and 3-1 Rule used by professional filmmakers.
Learn moreCamera Gear
Ready for an upgrade? Browse cameras for every budget — from smartphones to mirrorless.
Learn moreReady to Capture Your First Story?
You have everything you need. Grab your phone, find a family member, and start recording. Your future generations will thank you.
Store Your Stories in the Vault