Creative project design to help you preserve the stories that matter.

GEMS mission is to help you decide how to preserve and honor the stories that matter. We do this through creative project design tailored to your goals, vision, family, community and resources. GEMS work in recording oral histories and documenting stories can take many forms. Here’s how we’d work with you:

step 1: Consultation

All projects start with a consultation. In a phone or video chat, we will explore your ideas and vision for oral history recordings, family documentation, storytelling opportunities and anything else on your mind.

step 2: creative proposal

You will receive a proposal, creatively designed to your unique goals, with a project recommendation that includes pricing. 

Step 3: Record, edit, deliver

If we will be recording together, we’ll set dates for virtual or in-person recording sessions. If you are recording on your own, you’ll use the customized guides and documentation we’ve provided. Based on your project design, GEMS will edit to your specifications and deliver your completed project for you to share as far and wide as you choose.

Let’s get started!

Project examples:

  • Consultations for your own family history recordings with customized guides.
  • Complete life story and life reminiscence oral history recordings with accompanying text transcript of the recordings.
  • Audio mementos: an audio piece, edited to under 20 minutes, focused on a particular story, topic or person that includes multiple voices and gentle sound design. 
  • Audiobook with life story chapters produced from oral history recordings of a family member.
  • Mobile Storytelling Booth: a unique recording booth to compliment important family or community events (wedding, memorial, anniversary, corporate event, or party).
  • End of life memorials.

What people are saying:

“I’m happy to have the opportunity of speaking with you and you’re so wonderful in terms of your listening, your patience, your empathy, you get it. And it’s wonderful to be able to know that you are there on the other side, which frees me up on my side to be a little freer as well.”

NARRATOR, personal oral history

“Elena is helping my family capture my grandmother’s 99-year life story. During our consultation call she gracefully and thoughtfully covered every important detail, making me feel confident that our final product will be meaningful and high-quality. Elena’s professional experience shines through, as does her deep understanding of the human condition. I am so looking forward to moving through this project with her help and find myself thinking of all the ways I might want to use her service in other areas of my life.”

CLIENT

“The work you did with my parents has been a solace…I am so glad you were able to capture him while he was still here.”

CLIENT

“Me and my grandma had the BEST time doing our oral history session – she and I both said we can’t wait for the next one. Thank you!!!”

CLIENT