Biography and Memoir Writing

Sharing your memories with someone else is a very special experience. So it is important for us to talk, connect and meet up beforehand – either in person or over a video call.

You have the option of being interviewed in person or online.

We use high-quality remote recording software and will have a video producer for set up-ups, lighting and sound for the recording.

If we’re travelling to you, travel and accommodation for the crew will be quoted separately.

Once we have decided to go ahead a plan will be put in place for us to start the interview times together.

Having your own story recorded can be very emotional, confronting and cathartic all at the same time.

Everything you share with me is completely confidential and you have the final say on what goes into your completed story.

House of Jam works with Michael from Storylight in Christchurch for all video documentaries. Michael is a multi-talented, highly skilled and experienced professional with decades of experience. 

We have worked together for a few years and House of Jam holds him and his strategic expertise in high esteem.

He is fun, kind, organised and compassionate – which makes him the perfect choice for recording biographies.

Unedited copies of these videos are provided for you with your completed story to keep.

• We will arrive at your location at the agreed time and prepare the interview area for the best lighting and sound.
  
  
• The selected interview time will be split between a seated interview session and a walk-and-talk session for a bit of relaxed show and tell.
  
  
• This is where you will show us all the cool stuff in your workshop, share your hobbies walk us through your space, your office, your garden, and your works in progress and take us with you on a tour of your life.
  
  
• After a cup of tea, a hug and some dog cuddles we’ll pack up and be on our way.
  
  
• Michael takes over all the heavy lifting from here, editing and developing the final product as well as preparing the unedited film footage for you to keep.
  
  
• Once your final video is ready we will be in touch with you for the big reveal and delivery. 

• All remote interviews are recorded using high-quality recording software.
  
  
• We will post you an external mic beforehand to use for your interview. These are better than built-in mics on computers and cameras. This will ensure we get the best audio quality for your interview.

  
  Unedited copies of these videos are provided for you with your completed story to keep.

• A video producer from Storylight in Christchurch will log into the session for remote interviews to manage the initial set-up, sound and light and monitor the recording to make sure everything goes smoothly.
  
  
• Once the interviews have been completed, the recorded videos are automatically uploaded to our portal and Storylight takes over, starting with the editing process.
  
  
• Once your final video is ready we will be in touch with you for the big reveal and delivery. 

• All interviews are recorded over video using high-quality recording software.

  
  Unedited copies of these videos are provided for you with your completed story to keep.

• Once the interviews have been completed, I will begin with the first draft.
  
  
• Each story has a first draft and two additional rounds of revisions.
  
  
• When you are happy with the final content, it is then provided to our designer, who will professionally prepare the layout of the words and photographs into a digital or print-ready file.
  
  
• You will have an opportunity to view the design version before it goes to print to make any final changes.
  
  
• Once your final book or e-book, is ready, we will be in touch with you to make the final delivery.

Right, so how much does it all cost?

Annoying, I know, but there is no one-size-fits-all rate for these things.

Because I don’t want to waste your time or mine, there are things I need to know before I can give you a price for your project.

To get a head start, you can give me some background on what you are looking for here.

Or email me and we can set up a time to chat.

How long is a piece of string?

The time it takes from start to finish will depend on the size and scope of your project. Again, annoyingly so, there is no one-size-fits-all for these things. 

To give you an idea, here are some ballpark estimates:

• Single-chapter stories and life events – 3-4 weeks
• Full biography or memoir – 4 – 6 months
• Immigration settlement journey – 3-4 weeks
• Corporate stories 3-4 weeks
• Video biographies 2-4 weeks.
  
  

These time frames are based on previous projects and include interview times, revisions, video editing and the designer’s first draft.

Printers have their own print schedules and will provide us with their time frame estimates when we are print file ready. 

Having a life story recorded, whether it is a single chapter or the chronicles of a wildlife lived, is something that shouldn’t be rushed. 

We do a lot of preparation work before any filming takes place. Even if you have chosen a written or video biography we will start with the same process.

As we start building a timeline you may experience a wide range of emotions, this is normal, beautiful and all part of the process. 

These are your personal experiences and we will honour them for the precious memories that they are. 

We will guide you through the whole process from start to finish including what to expect on the day, what to wear and including a support person if you choose to have one. 

It’s a fun, special experience and we will make sure you are prepared and ready before we begin.

Sawubona! Dumela! Groete! Molo! Kia ora!

I grew up in a country with 11 official languages. We were so privileged to be utterly immersed in a melting pot of diversity – a feast of different cultures and languages.

So when I arrived in New Zealand from South Africa in 2017,  I didn’t hesitate to embrace the Te Reo Māori language and culture.

At home, I speak two languages and have been steadily learning Te Reo Māori as my third. My knowledge and appreciation have increased with every Te Reo project I have been invited to work on.

If you would like me to work on yours, let’s jump on a zui (zoom hui) and let’s kōrero about the mahi.