LS3 Studios

a multimedia storytelling company

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How To Create A Documentary

how-to-create-a-documentaryLearning how to create a documentary from your family history is exciting and very rewarding. You have spent hours and hours designing a perfect family tree. Your board has photographs and notes pinned on it. You have files and folders on your computer comprising every information you could find on your family. When you have worked so hard to gather even the nitty-gritty of your genealogy, why not take it a step ahead by making a documentary? An exciting documentary will notch the creativity of designing the family history to another level!

Many people just stop here with loads and loads of data about their family history. But the actual value of any research is evident when it is published. Yes, you can pass it on to everyone to read, but not all will spend the time to go through it. And since you have invested so much time and effort to reach up to this stage, present your work in a movie that every member of your family will enjoy.

In this article, we will tell you everything about making a documentary about your family history. This is a one-stop spot for your genealogy documentary questions. The definition of incorporating the research, preparation, selection of gears, data collection, interviewing, shooting, and many more points will be covered in this article.

The idea of spending a pleasant Sunday afternoon gathering your family to see an excellent documentary about your family history is a good one! It will be entertaining and informative for the younger generation in the family. Creating a documentary about your family history will be a jewel to be treasured.

Family History Video

family-history-videoLet’s understanding the basics. Family history videos are the compilation of recorded interviews of your family members in which they share their stories of the past. An essential part of your genealogical research is the interview you take of every family member. It is better to record these interviews as a reference to your research. And when you compile these interviews and the photographs to form a video, the result is simply breathtaking.

Once you have all the data in your bucket, it is easy to design a family tree. Various online databases and family tree designing software are available to create an elaborative set of information about your family. It is then convenient to scoop out the information from these databases and put them in a video.

A movie on one’s family history is an inspiring enterprise. The papers or the souvenirs may or may not remain in the family for years, but an optimized and well-compiled movie will stay in the family for generations to come. Let’s illuminate some points as to why creating a documentary is essential and a fun task.

1 – It is always great to hear the stories from the ones who lived it. You don’t have to rummage through the papers and newspapers every time you want to revisit the stories. In fact, you can keep the video as we as the papers or documents you have collected to enjoy the best of both worlds.

2 – Videos create a sense of belonging to the person and establishes an effective connection with the story, which is otherwise missed in offline historical records. Watching a movie for, say, one hour is preferable to spending hours and hours reading and decoding the historical events of your family.

3 – The younger generation and the future ones deserve to know about their family. They deserve to know their grandparents, great grandparents, and their ancestors who designed the structure and beliefs of the family. Their mannerism, thoughts, humor gives a glimpse into the personality of the ancestors. To see and listen to the elders’ voice telling their experience or stories of the family is a thing to cherish among the younger generation. This establishes within them a connection with their family and ancestors. And it is an enjoyable feeling.

4 – With your documentary, you can even reach your long lost relatives. How? By sharing it on various social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Documentaries are on-the-go and enjoyable information if uploaded online. It is engaging and enjoyable.

5 – Every family builds its legacy. A legacy that trickles down the generations. The morals, values, beliefs, and principles, everything intertwined in one, create a treasured legacy by the family. Some choose to write lengthy memoirs left to be read by future generations. The uncertainty of its accessibility or readability differs from generation to generation. In such cases, if there is a video covering your experiences and anecdotes, it can be watched more. These were some points to elaborate on the advantages of creating a documentary on your family history. However, the preference might differ to access family history. Some might still prefer to go old school, which is also good. But looking at the history in a creative, interactive, and influential way in a video may become the favorite of many.

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A Place Called Desire Unforgettable History Lessons

telling-community-stories

 A Place Called Desire offers unforgettable history lessons applicable to American history, Louisiana history, African American history, urban history, racial history, studies of neighborhoods, studies of survival, and memorable stories of love and community. Somehow the filmmaker manages to share hard truths with a gentle touch.
~ Dr. Al Kennedy

Winner 2020 Silver Telly Award | 2020 AVA Gold Award | Finalist Best Documentary San Diego Black Film Festival | Official Selection San Francisco Black Film Festival | Award of Recognition Impact DOCS Awards | Semifinalist Rootstech Film Festival | Nominated for the 2020 LEH Humanities Documentary Film of the Year | Official Selection New Orleans Film Festival | 2021 Winner of the Best Documentary and Winner of the Audience Jury Award in the Black Film Festival of New Orleans | 2021 Winner of Louisiana Heritage Media Award.

“Nobody can dim the light which shines from within”
as penned by Maya Angelou, is the perfect metaphor for Desire.

THE FILM

“When you look at the times we’re in, Desire is the perfect storm of black America’s plight. Nixon, landfill, shoddy construction, war on drugs, geographic isolation, police showdown, incarceration. And it all started out as just a place where families were trying to nurture their kids in an affordable location. What a story.” LJ

the story of the Desire communityThe story of  A Place Called Desire is one that will resonate with most people trying to find strength in a tough place. The story of trials and tribulations teaches us, as only a few stories can, about the essential wisdom of pushing through when times get tough, learning to fight against all odds. How many people in Desire preserved with grit and courage.

Those outside of the community told the stories you may have heard. We will present this film from a unique vantage point–that of insiders. Since 2008, we have interviewed over 60 individuals telling the stories of their lives in the Desire Community. They speak of a place that is not the same story that the press often portrayed. There were struggles, many struggles, but there were also strengths and positives in this tight-knit community of thousands.

A PLACE CALLED DESIRE

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LS3 Studios Wins Impact DOCS Awards Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Leonard Smith III
info@LS3Studios.com
LS3Studios.com

LS3 Studios Wins Award in Impact DOCS Awards Competition

(September 12, 2020) – Leonard Smith III, of LS3 Studios, LLC, has won a prestigious Award of Recognition from The Impact DOCS Awards Competition. The award was given for Leonard Smith III historical documentary, A Place Called Desire, which tells the inside story of an African American community often forgotten in the upper 9th ward in the city of New Orleans. A Place Called Desire features exceptional stories told by the residents of Desire.

“When you look at the times we’re in, Desire is the perfect storm of black America’s plight. Nixon, landfill, shoddy construction, war on drugs, geographic isolation, police showdown, incarceration. And it all started out as just a place where families were trying to nurture their kids in an affordable location. What a story.” L. Johnson

Impact DOCS recognizes film, television, videography and new media professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Documentaries were received from 30 countries, including veteran award winning filmmakers and fresh new talent.  Entries were judged by highly qualified and award winning professionals in the film and television industry.

In winning an Impact DOCS award, LS3 Studios joins the ranks of other high-profile winners of this internationally respected award including the Oscar winning director Louie Psihoyos for his 2016 Best of Show – Racing Extinction, Oscar winner Yael Melamede for (Dis)Honesty – The Truth About Lies, and Emmy Award winner Gerald Rafshoon for Endless Corridors narrated by Oscar winner Jeremy Irons, and many more.

Rick Prickett, who chairs Impact DOCS, had this to say about the latest winners, “The judges and I were simply blown away by the variety and immensely important documentaries we screened. Impact DOCS is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world from powerhouse companies to remarkable new talent. Impact DOCS helps set the standard for craft and creativity as well as power catalysts for global change. The goal of Impact DOCS is to help winners achieve the recognition they deserve for their dedication and work.”

For more information visit LS3 Studios’s website at LS3Studios.com.

Impact DOCS Awards is in its second year and is the newest member of the Global Film Awards (GFA) family of competitions who have been hosting competitions for 14 years. As one of the original trend-setting digital online competitions, GFA set the standard for this exciting new breed of film competitions… GFA’s Accolade Competition was named by MovieMagazine“…as one of the top 25 festivals worth the entry fee”. It is truly international in scope offering filmmakers from large powerhouses like Disney, The Weinstein Company, Discovery and Ridley Scott all the way to first time filmmakers and students, the opportunity to receive valuable feedback from an impartial judging panel comprised by highly qualified and award winning professionals in the industry. Often the first stop on the festival circuit, GFA award winners have gone on to win Oscars like the short doc “The Lady in Number Six” and “Mr Hublot” as well as countless Emmys, Tellys and more. Information about the Impact DOCS Awards and a list of past and recent winners can be found at www.ImpactDocsAwards.com

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Award of Recognition Documentary Feature

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Genealogy Storytelling Blueprint Workshop

Genealogy Storytelling Blueprint from Leonard Smith III on Vimeo.

Testimonies from attendees that participated in my Genealogy Storytelling Blueprint Workshop.

“Leonard Smith‘s Genealogy Storytelling Blueprint Workshop at the New Orleans Public Library was such a huge success. Attendees enjoyed the workshop so much, that when it was over, people did not want to leave! The workshop was not only informative, but fun. Attendees stated that they would like the workshop to be an all-day affair next year. We look forward to inviting Leonard back for future programming.”~ LaToya, New Orleans Public Library

“I attended Leonard Smith’s Genealogy Storytelling Blueprint Workshop held at the Whitney Plantation on July 19. He helped me focus on my many years of family history research using the building blocks of documentary filmmaking, including how to take those all important first steps. His lively and engaging presentation was enhanced by useful snippets taken from documentaries that his company LS3 Studios produced covering diverse family stories. “ ~ Dolores, New York, NY

Genealogy Storytelling Blueprint Workshop“Leonard Smith’s presentations come to life in front of your eyes! His expertise and use of technology encompass all of the necessary tools to create a documentary that all can appreciate. He teaches his audience how to write the story of one’s ancestors and emphasizes the importance of writing that story. Anyone attending his seminar will definitely appreciate the knowledge on how to bring one’s family to life that will be preserved for future descendants.” ~Kathryn, New Orleans, LA

“I’ve had the pleasure of attending Genealogy Storytelling Blueprint Workshop and several genealogy sessions presented by Leonard Smith of LS3 Studios. They were phenomenal! The information presented was relevant and geared to a variety of audience members from the novice to the well-seasoned family genealogist. Leonard is always very helpful and open to questions. Once your research is complete he can teach you how to turn all that information into the keepsake of a lifetime! Your final research can be used as a teaching tool or show and tell as he demonstrates how it can be preserved and presented as a documentary! It was such a moving experience for me. We all have a story to tell; let Leonard guide you through what can be a lifelong journey through many hours of research! Well worth the time you’ll spend!” ~ Dianne, New Orleans, LA

 

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Multimedia Presentation

A multimedia presentation literally conjures up various images for people, depending upon which raw tools are being worked with on the project.

When we think of the term multimedia, we tend to think of information that has been put together using two or more different art forms, such as video, photographic images, text, music, audio and film, to form one whole presentation. An interactive presentation of different media formats is fun, exciting, and interesting, especially if done by professionals using the most modern techniques and equipment.

Multimedia presentations are usually enjoyable and fascinating to view because of the various art forms that have been combined. Depending on who is defining the term multimedia, it can mean different things to different people. Most people would not consider a book to be a multimedia experience, but add photographs to the text and perhaps a CD to be viewed in addition to reading the book, and you have different forms of media placed all in one package. A music video is a multimedia art form combining both music, film, and often text, too.

definition of a multimedia presentation

What is the definition of multimedia? Multimedia presentations are usually enjoyable and fascinating to view because of the various art forms that have been combined. Depending on who is defining the term multimedia, it can mean different things to different people.

Most people would not consider a book to be a multimedia experience, but add photographs to the text and perhaps a CD to be viewed in addition to reading the book, and you have different forms of media placed all in one package. A music video is a multimedia art form combining both music, film, and often text, too.

A Multimedia Presentation

A multimedia presentation literally conjures up various images for people, depending upon which raw tools are being worked with on the project. When we think of the term multimedia, we tend to think of information that has been put together using two or more different art forms, such as video, photographic images, text, music, audio and film, to form one whole presentation. An interactive presentation of different media formats is fun, exciting, and interesting, especially if done by professionals using the most modern techniques and equipment.

What some might consider to be simple PowerPoint presentations can actually be powerful multimedia presentations. Some of these presentations seen via computer contain text, animation, video, voice and much more. A multimedia experience will keep your attention on the subject being presented because of the layered ingredients that make it a complete package.

Who, in general, uses multimedia?

Well, really, just about anyone! In the business world, multimedia projects are used in advertising, journalism, publishing firms, government agencies, commercial businesses and more. You may have seen a multimedia presentation on the stage or at a concert, where the artist uses video, lights and other art forms to entertain you. Wherever creativity is needed, the multimedia art form can be utilized.

In our personal lives we put together different art forms to create items that are familiar and important just for ourselves and, perhaps, our entire family. As a hobby, scrap-booking can be considered to be a very personalized form of multimedia work. Scrapbooks can be personal keepsakes made up of photographs, mementos, letters and other items that can be incorporated into these special books.

A family history can be organized and pulled together to form a beautiful multimedia project to be kept and remembered, even passed down to other generations, for years to come. Old family photographs and new family photographs are combined and inter-weaved with letters, film, keepsakes, audio tapes and more to create a one-of-a-kind experience for all to enjoy. Without the use of these various forms of artistic media, most people would simply own a shoebox full of photographs and letters or a photo album of unidentified or poorly kept pictures. Put it all together, though, and history is brought to light.

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