Your Life, FilmedReal people. Extraordinary stories.

At-home documentary filming · Lake County, Illinois

Family Documentary & Life Story Films in Lake County, IL

Your Life, Filmed brings guided interviews and documentary filmmaking into the homes of Lake County families. Record a parent’s life story, bring several generations into one film, or preserve the memories behind a family milestone—with familiar surroundings and a conversation in front of the camera.

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Illustrative camera operator filming an older woman’s face-to-camera interview in her living room.
At home. In your own words. Illustrative interview setting.

Family interviews at home

A personal film, in a familiar setting.

A life story film records more than a list of dates. It preserves the way someone tells a story: their expressions, their pauses, their humor and the details that a photograph cannot explain.

For a Lake County family, that conversation can begin in the living room where everyone gathers. Family photographs, keepsakes and home movies can help connect the interview to the people and events being described. The amount of material included depends on the film package.

There is no need to prepare a performance. Story preparation helps identify the subjects you would like to cover before filming. Read how our interview and editing process works to see what happens from the first conversation through delivery.

Illustrative older woman seated comfortably at home for a life story interview.
At-home interview concept. Illustrative imagery.

Lake County service areas

Find life story filming in your community.

Explore 52 Lake County communities for help planning an at-home family documentary, then tell us the exact filming address when you enquire. Some municipalities cross county lines, so the address confirms whether included Lake County travel applies.

Planning a film in a surrounding city?

Requests outside Lake County are considered individually. Send us the location and your plans so we can discuss availability, travel and whether the project is a fit before you make arrangements.

Planning your Lake County film

Start with the people, places and date.

One interview at home and a documentary involving relatives in several cities need different plans. These details help establish the right scope before filming is booked.

  1. Choose who you want to hear from.

    Begin with the main person whose story you are preserving. Then consider whether another relative would add a different perspective. A focused portrait includes one subject; the larger packages provide room for additional interview participants.

  2. List the homes or locations involved.

    If a parent lives in one city and another participant lives elsewhere in the county, include both locations in your enquiry. Lake County travel is included in each package, while the number of locations and total filming hours vary. This helps keep the production plan realistic.

  3. Separate the filming date from the viewing date.

    Relatives visiting for a holiday may be available to film together, but the finished documentary will follow the editing timeline. Tell us when people will be in town and whether you hope to screen the completed film at a later birthday, anniversary or reunion.

  4. Identify the family material you already have.

    Make a short list of digital photographs, loose prints and home movie clips you would like considered. Digital material integration has a defined allowance in each package; printed photo scanning is an optional addition. You can review those details on the film packages and pricing page.

Documentary film services

Choose the story you want to preserve.

The purpose of your film shapes the interview. Explore the service that best describes your family’s plans, then compare the available production packages.

Life story films

A personal biography told through an interview, memories and the family material that gives those memories context.

Films for parents

Plan a filmed conversation with a parent or grandparent, including the questions you have always wanted to ask.

Founder legacy films

Preserve a founder’s account of the decisions, relationships and experiences behind a business.

Our filming process

Understand story preparation, the interview, family photographs, editing and the finished film.

Life-story film packages

Life story film packages for Lake County families.

All three packages include Lake County travel, story preparation, filming, editing, private delivery and family viewing rights. Compare participant and location allowances, finished film lengths and completion timelines before choosing.

Story Portrait

One person. One focused story.

15–20 minute film

$3,800

Explore package

Signature Life Film

More voices. A richer family archive.

30–40 minute film

$7,500

Explore package

Family Documentary

Several people, places, and chapters.

45–60 minute film

$12,500

Explore package

Before we begin

Questions about filming in Lake County.

Is travel within Lake County included in the film price?

Yes. Lake County travel is included in every listed package. The Story Portrait includes one Lake County location, the Signature Life Film includes up to two, and the Family Documentary includes up to three. Tell us where each participant will be so the proposal can account for the filming time and locations you need.

Can we include relatives who live in different Lake County cities?

Yes, within the participant, location and filming-time allowances of the selected package. The Signature Life Film includes up to two interview participants and two Lake County locations. The Family Documentary includes up to five participants and three Lake County locations, with up to eight total filming hours across two days. Share the cities and people involved before booking so we can plan an appropriate scope.

How should we plan a Lake County family film around a birthday or reunion?

Start with the date you hope to watch the finished film, then allow time for preparation, filming, editing and revisions. Listed completion timelines are 6–8 weeks for the Story Portrait, 10–12 weeks for the Signature Life Film and 14–18 weeks for the Family Documentary. Mention both the gathering date and when relatives will be available to film. A requested deadline must be considered in the proposal; it is not guaranteed by an enquiry.

Do you consider filming requests outside Lake County?

Yes. Requests from surrounding cities and other locations are considered individually. Tell us the filming address or city, who will take part and your preferred timing. We will discuss whether the project is a fit and identify any separately quoted travel or location costs before you book. The Lake County package inclusions do not automatically extend to other areas.

Your Life, Filmed

Plan your Lake County family film.

Tell us whose story you would like to record, which city you will be filming in and whether there is a date you have in mind. We can begin with those three details.

Start a conversation
Illustrative director’s chair and documentary camera in a home.