To make a Spoken Portrait, you speak about your life and create a portrait of yourself. But how does it work? We’ve added some “frequently asked questions” to help you better understand what our company is all about.
What do I talk about when I talk about my life?
We provide you with a list of questions that will serve as guideposts when you begin to reflect upon your life.
Your answers to our questions will help us design exactly the kind of interview that is appropriate for you. We’ll consult with you before the interview to make sure we record only those stories that are most meaningful to you and your listeners.
How much does this cost?
We have three levels of interviews. Our standard Sketch Portrait begins at $1450, our Profile Portrait begins at $2500 and our Life Portrait begins at $5000. (We ask you to pay us 40% of the total cost at the time of scheduling the first interview, with the balance due upon delivery of the finished Spoken Portrait).
Profile Portraits and Life Portraits are more in-depth interviews, and consequently the preparation for them is more extensive. Completing a detailed questionnaire is required, which enables us to conduct our own research into the topics you have chosen to discuss.
Where do you conduct the interview for a Spoken Portrait?
Usually we come to you. Whether that means your home, your cabin in the woods, or your high-rise office, we’ll be there. We travel locally (the Los Angeles area) and internationally, so it does not matter where you live. We can also record in a professional studio or on location, where appropriate.
What recording technique do you employ?
We tailor our recording technique to the circumstances and location where the interview is taking place, However, we mostly use lavalier/lapel microphones (clip-ons), which afford you the maximum comfort when you speak. Our recording devices are state-of-the-art. After we record your interview, we take it back to our offices and create a sound design that will be unique to your story. Natural hesitations in speech, repetitions, and all the “ums” and “ahs” are edited away. The finished product will always sound better than the interview because we maximize your skills as a storyteller.
What will you ask me in an interview?
We will ask you to talk about the moments that are most memorable to you. These might be memories of your childhood, or any special events in your adult life. You might want to talk about your family history, or memories of your children. Regardless of what you decide to talk about, once you begin the interview, you will find it to be a most pleasurable experience. If for some reason you run into a dead-end, we will gently prompt you in a new direction. Remember, we will edit out any mistakes or wrong-turns, so the end result will sound smooth and polished.
How long does the interview last?
It takes from 30 minutes to an hour to fill in our questionnaire, depending on how much time you wish to spend on your answers and how fast you write! The actual interview where we record your memories takes about 45 minutes for a Sketch Portrait and 90 minutes for a Profile Portrait. Life Portraits are more detailed and require a much longer time.
When do you present me with the completed interview?
Careful editing, which involves mixing and design work, takes time, and we don’t want to rush any part of the process. After we conduct a thorough and professional assessment of the finished product, your Spoken Portrait will arrive in your hands in about 4 to 6 weeks. (Life Portraits will take longer, depending on the amount of extra interviews and production work). Rush orders can be accommodated only if we receive sufficient notice.
How can I get extra copies of my Spoken Portrait?
As part of any package you will receive 5 copies and a data-stick. Extra copies are provided for a nominal fee.
How do you ensure my privacy?
By not allowing anyone to listen to your stories without your express permission. Our by-word is confidentially.
I’d like to speak to one of your interviewers.
By all means! We would be delighted to put you in touch with someone who has been interviewed.
What is the best way to reach you?
By phone or email. We will get back to you promptly.
Our corporate e-mail address is info@spokenportraits.com
