Blog Post

Capturing Personal Narratives: The Art of Cinematic Interviews in Museums

STORYSMART® • October 22, 2023

Creatively Combining Accessioning, Community Building, Digital Archiving, Filmmaking & Licensing To Further the Mission of the Museum

St. Louis, MO – October 22, 2023 - Museums are more than just repositories of history; they are living testimonies to the past and guardians of stories that might otherwise be lost to time.

As we embark on a journey through history, museums play a crucial role in preserving and sharing the stories of individuals who lived through significant events and experienced moments of cultural and social transformation.

Capturing personal narratives through cinematic interviews has emerged as an essential art in museum curation.

In this blog post, we'll explore the art of cinematic interviews in museums and advocate for the importance of collecting the personal narratives of individuals with firsthand accounts, focusing on the accessioning, digital archiving, and licensing processes that make this possible.

Additionally, we'll delve into the significance of including personal photos and memorabilia in the storytelling, allowing individuals to contribute to the museum's mission by donating or loaning materials to enrich the narratives.


Preserving History Through Personal Narratives

Museums have a unique role in our society. They are not only spaces for the exhibition of artifacts but also for the preservation and dissemination of personal stories that are integral to our cultural heritage. While artifacts and documents provide valuable insights into the past, they often lack the depth and emotional resonance of personal narratives.

The art of cinematic interviews in museums involves engaging with individuals who have firsthand accounts of historical events, cultural shifts, or moments of personal significance. These interviews provide a human face to history, allowing visitors to connect on a deeper level with the past and the people who lived it.


Why Personal Narratives Matter

1. Emotional Connection: Personal narratives evoke emotion, empathy, and a sense of shared experience. When visitors watch or listen to someone recount their experiences, they become emotionally invested in the story.

2. Cultural Diversity: Personal narratives contribute to a more comprehensive and inclusive history. They allow us to explore the diverse perspectives and experiences of individuals from different backgrounds and walks of life.

3. Authenticity: Personal narratives are authentic and unfiltered. They provide a direct and unmediated connection to history as told by those who lived it.

4. Legacy Preservation: For the individuals sharing their stories, participating in an interview can be a way of preserving their own legacy and ensuring that their experiences are remembered for future generations.


The Cinematic Interview Process

Cinematic interviews are carefully planned and executed to capture not just the spoken words but the emotions, nuances, and personality of the interviewee. This approach differs from standard interviews in that it aims to tell a story visually, making it engaging and relatable.

1. Preparation: Before the interview, the museum's team conducts thorough research on the interviewee's background and experiences to create a list of well-thought-out questions.

2. Setting and Atmosphere: Interviews take place in settings that are relevant to the interviewee's experiences. Care is taken to create a comfortable and conversational atmosphere.

3. Cinematic Techniques: Skilled cinematographers use techniques like proper lighting, framing, and camera work to capture not just what is being said but the non-verbal cues and expressions that add depth to the story.

4. Emotional Depth: The interviewers ask open-ended questions and encourage the interviewee to delve into their emotions and reflections, making the narrative more engaging.


Accessioning, Digital Archiving, and Licensing

Once the interview is conducted, the museum must follow a careful process to ensure that the interview footage, personal photos, and memorabilia are properly preserved and accessible to the public.

Accessioning: This is the formal process of accepting items into the museum's collection. It involves assigning a unique identifier to each item, creating detailed records, and documenting the history and significance of the materials. The accessioning process is not limited to physical artifacts; it also includes digital materials like video interviews.

Digital Archiving: To ensure the long-term preservation of the interview footage, personal photos, and memorabilia, digital archiving is essential. This process involves digitizing all materials, maintaining backups, and creating a systematic database for easy retrieval and access.

Licensing and Permissions: If the materials used in the interview or provided by the interviewee are subject to copyright or usage rights, it is crucial to secure the necessary permissions and licenses. This may involve obtaining releases for the use of interview footage, photographs, or other materials in the museum's exhibits, digital content, and promotional materials. The legal and ethical consideration of property rights is an important part of the accessioning process. At STORYSMART® we work hard to ensure our clients are smart about this process. We believe in creating a win-win for everyone involved. It is possible to preserve an individual’s story and assets (photos etc.) in a way that benefits both the individual and the museum. An individual can own the material and license it to the museum or vice versa.


The Role of Donations and Loans

An important aspect of capturing personal narratives is involving the individuals themselves in the museum's mission. Many individuals with firsthand accounts are eager to contribute not just their stories but also personal items, photographs, and memorabilia that hold meaning and significance.

Donations: Many individuals are willing to donate personal materials, such as letters, documents, photographs, and artifacts, to the museum. These contributions enrich the narrative and provide a personal connection to the stories being told.

Loans: In cases where individuals are hesitant to part with their belongings permanently, museums can also consider loans. The loan agreements should specify the terms, duration, and conditions for the temporary use of the materials. You will notice that many art museums have artwork on display that is on loan from another museum or family. This is a smart way to create a win-win-win for all involved. The donor. The museum. The public.


The Impact of Personal Contributions

The participation of individuals in the preservation of their own narratives and experiences can have a profound impact on the museum and its mission:

1. Enriched Narratives: Personal contributions provide additional layers to the narratives, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the history being shared.

2. Community Involvement: Involving individuals and their families in the museum's exhibits fosters a sense of community and shared history.

3. Legacies Preserved: Donors and lenders have the satisfaction of knowing that their personal legacies are being preserved and shared with a wider audience.

4. Emotional Connection: Personal contributions evoke strong emotional connections with the history, making it more relatable and memorable for visitors.


Conclusion

Cinematic interviews are a powerful tool for museums to capture personal narratives, enrich historical storytelling, and engage visitors on a deeper emotional level. When museums carefully plan their accessioning, digital archiving, and licensing processes, they can preserve and share these personal narratives effectively.

Involving individuals with firsthand accounts in the preservation of their own stories through the donation or loan of personal materials not only enriches the narratives but also builds a sense of community and shared history.

By valuing personal stories and contributions, museums can continue to bridge the gap between history and the present, ensuring that personal narratives are an integral part of our collective cultural heritage.

We help museums and institutions get STORYSMART® with cinematic storytelling exhibits, documentary filmmaking, licensing, digital archiving, and creative monetization strategies. If you are interested in learning more, please schedule a FREE storytelling filmmaking consultation now.

About STORYSMART®

Nothing is more enduring than a beautiful film that brings a story alive on screen and in our hearts. Great stories demand nothing less than cinematic Hollywood-quality storytelling. STORYSMART® specializes in helping public figures such as professional athletes, entertainers, former elected officials and celebrities make the most of their story using a proprietary approach that blends Hollywood-style cinematic storytelling with museum-like collection curation and story-focused brand licensing.

STORYSMART® provides Hollywood Quality filmmaking and storytelling consulting services, functioning as a high-end work-for-hire ghostwriting service specializing in cinematic storytelling rather than being limited to traditional book publishing (hint - you can do both if your are smart about your storytelling derivative rights). STORYSMART® services range from story preservation digital archive services like those used by Oprah Winfrey, Bon Jovi and Billy Graham, to story development, screenwriting, licensing, and professional documentary filmmaking.

STORYSMART® is ideal for clients interested in controlling and monetizing their own storytelling through story-based media production, publishing, and merchandising.

Learn more about our customized white glove approach and book your FREE CONFIDENTIAL consultation at storysmart.net

Filmmaking For ALL™ My Own Story™ Storytelling For ALL™



By Ron Watermon December 18, 2024
At STORYSMART®, we’ve built a reputation for helping clients transform their personal histories from disorganized “blobs” of information into polished copyright-protected storytelling source materials so they can make the most of their story. Using a blend of high-end documentary filmmaking and museum-level digital archival services, we specialize in helping people tell their stories while their still very much alive to guide the process. Our service is designed to help them shape their own narrative while maintaining control of their IP. In some respects, our core service would fit neatly in what studio executives would describe as the pre-production phase. It is designed to get all the source materials together in advance of storytelling. Most importantly, it is about preserving and developing a solid foundation in story IP. World building and character development with a focus on bullet-proof exclusive intellectual property. It is the kind of thing Hollywood agents and entertainment lawyers do for their clients. But with A Steak Guerrilla in St. Louis: The Dr. Arturo M. Taca Story , we’re charting new territory. This time, we’re not just helping someone prepare to tell their story—we’re taking the lead in the telling by producing an independently financed documentary about a remarkable man who passed away more than 27 years ago. He isn't here to lead the effort. This project represents a logical evolution for STORYSMART®: developing a hybrid model that blends independent filmmaking with family collaboration, allowing us to control the intellectual property (IP) while inviting Hollywood creatives to share in the equity. In a sense, pun intended, we are flipping the script a bit. We seek to pioneer a new way of bringing true stories to the screen, and we’re excited to share this journey with you while honestly admitting we are not entirely sure it will actually work. Our goal is to develop a truly collective collaborative model that grows the pie and benefits all involved. Rejecting exploitation and aligning roles to play to everyone's strength to forge a new path for true stories to the make it the screen. From Chaos to Cinema: Our Mission at STORYSMART® In our core business, we guide clients through the overwhelming “blob” phase of their personal histories—where ideas and materials are scattered and disorganized—getting them to a refined collection of copyright protected storytelling source materials that ensures they are fully ready for filmmaking, publishing, and much more. It is meaningful and rewarding work that makes a real difference for our clients. We work with individuals and families who are passionate about preserving their legacies, helping them turn their stories into lasting works of art they own. This approach ensures that our clients retain creative control and ownership over their narratives so they can make the most of their story. We put them in the driver's seat of the professional storytelling process like an agent might do for a celebrity. Whether it’s producing a feature documentary, writing a best selling memoir, or simply conducting a cinematic interview, the result is a legacy project that captures the essence of their life and experiences for future generations. It’s a process that centers around our clients’ involvement, their voice, and their vision. In many respects it mirrors the best practice pre-production research process deployed by the greatest documentary filmmakers like Ken Burns. It is tailored for an elite level of clients that demand excellence every step of the way, but it isn't for everyone. It is a significant investment. What sets A Steak Guerrilla apart is that this isn’t a high-end fee-for-service project. It isn't for a public figure, an organization or a high-net-worth highly accomplished individual. We are not being paid to do it. Instead, it’s a STORYSMART®-led initiative where we’re not only producing the film in collaboration with great filmmakers but also developing new intellectual property in collaboration with Dr. Arturo M. Taca’s family. We are working to raise the money to make it happen. This marks a significant evolution in how we operate, highlighting our ability to innovate and adapt in the world of storytelling. Our goal is to develop a new way that democratizes access to great storytelling, while also making it a win-win-win for all involved. A Hybrid Approach to Filmmaking Our work on A Steak Guerrilla represents an innovative middle ground between independent production where the filmmaker owns it all and the traditional work-for-hire models where the client owns it all. It’s a hybrid approach that brings together the best of both worlds: - Independent Control: By leading the fundraising and production efforts, we as a team retain control over the creative direction and the IP, ensuring the story is told with integrity and impact. - Collaborative Partnerships: We’re working hand-in-hand with Dr. Taca’s family to honor their legacy while also inviting Hollywood creatives to contribute their talents with an equity stake in the project. This model is breaking new ground in the film industry, demonstrating how filmmakers, families, and creatives can work together in a collaborative collective to bring untold stories to life. It’s a win-win approach that ensures all parties have a vested interest in the project’s success while maintaining creative alignment and authenticity. Why This Story Matters Now Dr. Arturo M. Taca’s story is one of resilience, heroism, and humanity —a story that still resonates deeply today. More than 27 years after his passing, A Steak Guerrilla aims to shine a light on his remarkable story. For the Filipino community and the global diaspora, it’s a chance to celebrate a shared history of resilience and pride that might otherwise be lost to history. For broader audiences, it’s an opportunity to learn about an unsung hero whose story deserves to be part of the global narrative. At STORYSMART®, we believe stories like this are more important than ever. In an era where historical narratives are often simplified or overlooked, A Steak Guerrilla seeks to provide depth, context, and emotional resonance. It’s a film that not only preserves history but also inspires future generations. What to Expect from the Steak Guerrilla Documentary The Steak Guerrilla documentary will be a deeply moving exploration of Dr. Arturo M. Taca’s life and legacy, told through a combination of expert interviews, animated reenactments, and never-before-seen archival materials. Key elements of the film will include: - Firsthand Accounts: Through interviews with family members, historians, and those familiar with his life, the film will provide an intimate look at Dr. Taca’s courageous actions and their lasting impact. - Archival Materials: Using photographs, documents, and his unpublished personal memoir, the documentary will reconstruct the historical context in vivid detail, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the era. - Animated Reenactments: To bring critical moments of Dr. Taca’s story to life, we will incorporate carefully crafted reenactments that highlight key events, including his covert efforts to aid guerrilla fighters. - Global Perspective: The film will explore the broader implications of Dr. Taca’s work, connecting his story to the larger narrative of Filipino resilience and the shared sacrifice to restore democracy to the Philippines. With this rich tapestry of storytelling techniques, Steak Guerrilla will honor the past while engaging contemporary audiences with its universal themes of courage, humanity, and the enduring contribution of one man’s actions. A Vision for the Future of Storytelling With A Steak Guerrilla , we’re proving that stories can be brought to the screen in a way that benefits everyone involved: - Families retain a say in how their legacies are shared. - Creatives receive a stake in the project, ensuring alignment and investment in its success and any derivative storytelling that results from their work. - Audiences gain access to stories that inspire, educate, and connect across cultures and generations. This isn’t just about one film. It’s about creating a sustainable, collaborative model for storytelling that empowers families, filmmakers, and creatives to work together in new ways. For us, it is about providing Storytelling For ALL™ and Filmmaking For ALL™ By bridging the gap between traditional work-for-hire services and fully independent productions, STORYSMART® is pioneering a model that ensures all stakeholders have a voice and a share in the project’s outcome. This hybrid approach is not only innovative but also necessary. As the storytelling landscape evolves, so too must the ways in which we approach collaboration, ownership, and equity. A Steak Guerrilla is a blueprint for what’s possible when filmmakers and families work together to honor the past while shaping the future of storytelling. Help Us Bring A Steak Guerrilla to Life We’re thrilled to embark on this journey and invite you to join us in bringing A Steak Guerrilla to life. Follow the project’s progress on Facebook, LinkedIn, and at steakguerrilla.com . Together, we can ensure that Dr. Taca’s legacy—and countless other untold stories—live on for generations to come. Stay tuned for updates and thank you for supporting this bold new vision for storytelling. Whether through engagement, financial support, or simply sharing the story with others, you can play a part in helping us redefine how remarkable true stories are brought to the screen. About STORYSMART® Nothing is more enduring than a beautiful film that brings a story alive on screen and in our hearts. Great stories demand nothing less than cinematic Hollywood storytelling. STORYSMART® specializes in helping mission-driven organizations and public figures make the most of their story using a proprietary approach that blends Hollywood cinematic storytelling with museum-like collection curation and story-focused brand licensing. STORYSMART® redefines Hollywood production by partnering with clients to develop their story into a film, allowing them to control their IP rights and benefit financially as their story is produced by the best filmmakers and storytellers.
By STORYSMART® September 8, 2024
Advising clients to invest in storytelling should be part of your estate planning wealth management practice. For high-net-worth individuals, like CEOs, professional athletes, or entertainers, their legacy extends beyond mere financial wealth. Their personal and professional journeys hold a unique value that can be monetized and appreciated over time, just like their financial assets. Estate planning and wealth management have traditionally focused on protecting tangible assets like properties and investments. However, there is an increasing awareness that personal stories, when preserved and protected, hold significant financial value. In this post, we’ll explore the concept of personal legacies as intellectual property (IP), how digitizing assets like photos and documents plays a crucial role, and the importance of recording on-camera interviews that provide the foundation for future media projects. We’ll also delve into why copyright protection is critical for safeguarding these stories and positioning them as valuable assets for future use. We are firm believers that wealth management and estate planning attorneys have a key role to play in this evolving approach to legacy preservation, and partnering with a service like STORYSMART® can help their clients protect their most personal and irreplaceable asset: their story. The Value of Personal Legacies as Intellectual Property When we think of wealth, it’s easy to focus on tangible assets like real estate, stocks, or business holdings. However, for high-profile clients, wealth goes beyond material possessions—it includes their personal narrative and their NIL (name, image & likeness), which can be leveraged as a form of intellectual property (IP). In the same way that brands or creative works are protected by copyright and trademarks, a client’s personal story can—and should—be safeguarded as valuable IP. Expanding the Definition of Wealth Personal stories are an often untapped asset that, with the right approach, can be monetized and preserved for future generations. Consider the growing interest in documentaries, autobiographies, and feature films based on real-life events. For well-known individuals—whether CEOs, professional athletes, or entertainers—their life stories can generate significant interest and revenue. However, if these stories are not protected, they can be exploited or misrepresented without their consent. As their attorney, it would be malpractice to fail to recognize the practical steps your client should take to protect themselves and their estate. That’s why viewing a client’s story as a valuable part of their overall wealth portfolio is a forward-thinking approach that more attorneys and wealth managers are beginning to embrace. Public Figures and Personal Brand For public figures, legacy preservation goes beyond sentimental value—it is often tied directly to their personal brand. Whether it’s a famous entertainer, a prominent business leader, or an athlete at the height of their career, controlling the narrative of their story is critical to maintaining the integrity of their brand. Unauthorized biographies, sensationalized media portrayals, and one-sided stories can all tarnish a carefully curated image. This can devalue a personal brand. That is why you have a duty to help your client make smart decisions when it comes to protecting their personal brand. Securing copyright protection for personal stories gives the individual control over how their narrative is shared and monetized, allowing them to reap the benefits while safeguarding against exploitation. The Importance of Digitizing Personal Assets One of the first steps in preserving a legacy is ensuring that personal assets, such as family photos, important documents, and memorabilia, are properly digitized and stored. Digital archives are essential for safeguarding a client’s personal history, providing a secure, easily accessible way to preserve these materials for future use. Too often those in the public eye fail to take simple steps to ensure they own key things that they need such as photographs. We see this problem all the time with celebrities and athletes. They can’t even build a website or launch a retail line without having to paying other for a photograph of themselves. How to Digitize Personal Assets Digitizing personal assets requires an organized, thoughtful approach. Start by gathering all relevant materials—photos, diaries, letters, home videos, and any important documents that reflect the client’s life story. These materials should be categorized and cataloged to ensure nothing is lost or overlooked. Once organized, the next step is to professionally scan or convert these assets into digital formats, ensuring they are of the highest quality and can be stored securely. Many high-net-worth clients opt to work with archivists or digital preservation specialists who can handle the process from start to finish, ensuring that the digital assets are both accessible and secure. These assets can then be stored in cloud-based systems, offering easy access for the client and their family, while also protecting against physical degradation over time. Why Digitize? The benefits of digitizing personal assets are manifold: 1. Preservation: Over time, physical materials—photos, documents, tapes—deteriorate. Digitizing these assets ensures they are preserved in their best form for future generations. No more worrying about faded photos or fragile home videos. 2. Access: Digital archives allow clients and their families to access their memories at any time, from anywhere in the world. This ease of access is particularly important for clients with large, dispersed families or those who travel frequently. 3. Copyright and Ownership: Once digitized, these assets can more easily be copyrighted. A digital archive simplifies the process of establishing ownership and ensuring the client retains control over their personal materials. This means the client’s legacy can be legally protected, ensuring it isn’t used without permission. Cinematically Preserving Stories through On-Camera Interviews While digitizing physical assets is essential, the heart of legacy preservation lies in storytelling. Recording high-quality, on-camera interviews with the client, as well as their circle of family, friends, and colleagues, provides a rich source of material that captures their life in a way that documents alone cannot. These interviews offer emotional depth, nuance, and the personal perspective necessary to create a well-rounded narrative. Most importantly, this simple critical step is the essential building block of telling their story. In the world of Hollywood, these materials are referred to as “storytelling source material” the key IP foundation that is utilized to develop screenplays or other works. Typically books that are written about an individual are built on conducting interviews. These interviews are the copyright protected work product of the author or publisher. If the New York Times interviews your client, the New York Times owns that. They have lawyers lined up to protect the work product of that media. If a Hollywood producer wants to develop a streaming series based on a New York Times story or stories, they would license those stories as source material. Our point to you is that the media landscape has shifted to the point that you can advise your client to flip the script a bit and engage their own team to do these valuable interviews so your client owns them like the media outlet. They essentially become their own Hollywood Studio or Media outlet by engaging professionals on a work-for-hire basis so they own the work product. How to Conduct On-Camera Interviews On-camera interviews should be approached with the same level of professionalism as any media production. To truly capture the essence of a client’s story, a team of experienced filmmakers and interviewers is essential. The process typically begins with detailed preparation—understanding the key events in the client’s life, their values, and what they hope to convey in their legacy. Creating a thoughtful interview guide ensures that the conversation flows naturally and covers the most important aspects of their life. It’s also crucial to interview not only the client but also those close to them—family members, close friends, business associates. These interviews help paint a fuller picture of the individual’s impact on the people around them and provide additional perspectives that enrich the narrative. The key element behind this process is to paper everything from a consent standpoint. The producer and crew are hired by the client on a work-for-hire basis. They sign confidentiality agreements in addition to stipulating that they are conveying their rights to the work to the client. Everyone interviewed signs consents to the interview conveying their rights. If interviews are conducted on location, a location agreement is signed granting permission. You get the idea. Why Conduct On-Camera Interviews? 1. Documentary Filmmaking: Cinematically recorded interviews provide the foundation for future documentaries about the client’s life. High-quality footage is a valuable asset that can be used to create professional-grade films showcasing the client’s legacy. 2. Source Material for Screenwriting: These interviews provide authentic source material for screenwriters who may want to adapt the client’s life story for film or television. Firsthand accounts are invaluable in creating engaging, compelling scripts. 3. Writing a Book: Detailed, recorded interviews can serve as the backbone for writing memoirs or biographies. The stories told during these interviews offer personal insight that helps bring a written narrative to life. 4. Licensable Media for Future Use: Cinematically recorded interviews can be licensed for use by media outlets, news organizations, or even educational institutions. This allows the client’s story to be shared with the world, while they retain control and reap the financial benefits. Copyright Protection: Safeguarding Personal Stories Once personal assets have been digitized and interviews have been recorded, the next critical step is securing copyright protection. Copyrighting personal stories and materials ensures that the client’s narrative remains under their control, safeguarding against unauthorized use or exploitation. How to Copyright Personal Stories The process of copyrighting personal stories begins with registering the material through the appropriate legal channels. For written documents, photos, and digitized assets, this means filing with the U.S. Copyright Office or equivalent international organizations. For filmed interviews, copyright can be established on the recorded footage, providing the client with ownership rights over this valuable content. It is recommended that wealth management and estate planning attorneys work with IP specialists to ensure all copyright protections are in place. This step is crucial in turning personal stories into legally protected intellectual property that can be monetized in the future. Why Copyright is Crucial 1. Control and Ownership: Copyright protection ensures that the client retains control over how their story is used. Whether it’s for a documentary, a book, or a television adaptation, no one can use or reproduce their story without permission. 2. Future Monetization: By securing copyright, the client opens the door to future revenue opportunities. Their story can be licensed for use in various media formats, creating a lasting financial benefit for themselves and their family. 3. Avoiding Misrepresentation: Copyright protection is the most effective way to prevent unauthorized use of a client’s story, particularly for public figures who are often at risk of having their narrative distorted by unauthorized biographies or media portrayals. Practical Examples of Personal Stories as Marketable Assets Several high-profile individuals have successfully transformed their personal stories into marketable assets, underscoring the value of preserving and protecting legacies. 1. Athletes and Entertainers: Documentaries like The Last Dance (Michael Jordan) and Miss Americana (Taylor Swift) have become cultural phenomena, showcasing how personal narratives can be monetized and preserved for future generations. 2. CEOs and Entrepreneurs: Business leaders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk have inspired films, documentaries, and books, all of which generate significant revenue and cement their legacy in the public consciousness. These examples demonstrate the potential financial and reputational value of copyright-protected personal stories. The Role of Attorneys in Protecting Legacies Wealth management and estate planning attorneys have a unique opportunity to offer a holistic service to their clients. By helping clients protect not only their financial assets but also their personal stories, attorneys can offer a more comprehensive approach to legacy building. As your client’s advocate, you have an obligation to help your client understand the value in investing in telling their own story. The media landscape has changed to the point that you can help your client maximize the value of this asset by taking ownership of the storytelling development process. It has never been easier to finance and produce an independent film, self-publish a book, or launch your own retail line. As your client’s attorney, you have an obligation to think through all the ways in which your client’s stories can be monetized. How Attorneys Can Help Clients Protect Their Stories Attorneys play a crucial role in helping clients navigate the legal landscape of copyright protection and intellectual property. By partnering with professionals who specialize in storytelling and digital archiving, like STORYSMART®, attorneys can offer their clients a seamless way to safeguard their legacies. Conclusion A personal story is more than a memory—it’s a valuable asset that, when properly protected, can generate financial and emotional benefits for years to come. By digitizing personal assets, conducting cinematic interviews, and securing copyright protection, clients can ensure their legacies are preserved and monetized in a way that reflects their values and accomplishments. Wealth management and estate planning attorneys have the opportunity – and I believe obligation - to enhance their client relationships by helping protect these stories. In partnership with professionals like STORYSMART®, they can safeguard the legacies of high-profile individuals, ensuring their stories remain intact for future generations. Now is the time to think beyond traditional asset management and consider how storytelling can add lasting value to your client’s estate. About STORYSMART® Nothing is more enduring than a beautiful film that brings a story alive on screen and in our hearts. Great stories demand nothing less than cinematic Hollywood storytelling. STORYSMART® specializes in helping mission-driven organizations and public figures make the most of their story using a proprietary approach that blends Hollywood cinematic storytelling with museum-like collection curation and story-focused brand licensing. STORYSMART® redefines Hollywood production by partnering with clients to develop their story into a film, allowing them to control their IP rights and benefit financially as their story is produced by the best filmmakers and storytellers.
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