A Your Life is Your Story Up Close Profile of 

Stellar Media

Creating video life stories takes skill, but it also requires an understanding of what makes a good story. Stellar Media meets both these requirements. Based in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and run by Eric and Marian Larson, they’ve experienced some good growth due to the quality production they’ve created for satisfied clients the past few years.

Eric Larson was bit by the journalism bug in the 7th grade when he was asked to interview new teachers for his school newsletter in Florence, Alabama. He graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English from Duke University in Durham, N.C. In 1993 he embarked on a successful career in print journalism. He served as a staff writer at the Anniston Star newspaper from 1993-1996, receiving First Place Alabama Associated Press awards for community service writing (1994) and deadline reporting (1995). He also worked as Newsweek’s stringer for Alabama and Mississippi (1996-1998), reporting on such topics as HIV drug shortages, the school shooting in Pearl, Mississippi and the Birmingham abortion clinic bombing.

The real impetus for documenting the stories of people came about through a Peace Corp project in the Republic of Kiribati. Eric and his wife, Marian Larson, both served as volunteers there from 2001-2003. They worked with over 400 islanders to produce The Curse (2003), a full-length feature movie about an island youth confronted with alcohol abuse. It was during the process of creating this documentary that Eric learned about video editing and both he and his wife became enamored with other people’s stories.

Eric, age 37, admits to being something of a gadget geek, but he has also purposely hired workers more technically advanced than he is. Stellar Media has grown to a staff of six and uses high quality equipment to shoot, edit and produce their video projects. They have six cameras and also utilize scanners and laptops, which come in handy on-site. Often they will mix in still photography with video (especially old photos) and this makes for good for transitions.

The success of a video biography service, according to Stellar Media, relies on technical ability, a good business model that prices services appropriately, and knowing how to tell a story. Prospective clients are engaged in initial conversations before any commitment is made to a project. Larson believes a shared vision about the importance of a video life story and how to achieve a final product everyone will be satisfied with is paramount. He and his staff discuss the process and the final product. Interested prospects can discuss the budget, the amount of interview sessions, how comfortable the subject of the story is in front of the camera and a timeline for the project. There is also a determination of where the shooting will take place. Do they want to be followed around in a “day in the life” style presentation? Or do they prefer sitting in front of a camera reminiscing about their life? On location shoots are better for the story. A walk on a beach, at a park, or similar outdoor locations allows the subject to show their personality and passion. The decision is made based on the person’s physical capability, along with time and budget constraints.

Once a letter of agreement is signed a helpful extensive questionnaire is sent out. While it’s something the client doesn’t have to use it can identify areas that are painful or need to be avoided as well as what parts of their life they want people to know about or have preserved.

It’s great to work with a company that provides a high quality and professional product at a fair price. But beyond that, it is important in life story work to know that your story will be cherished and preserved with true concern for its inherent value.

Eric Larson puts it this way. “Every member of the human race should be required to record their story before they die. Of course, you can’t force that; but certainly it can be encouraged. Everyone’s story is valuable and it contributes to the ‘human quilt’. If everyone told their story they’d all have a piece of a giant fabric. When it is well told and preserved I can’t imagine it being boring. Your future relatives would be fascinated to hear your story.”

Stellar Media recognizes they are doing important work. “People tend to enjoy telling their stories, especially about family and childhood. People talk passionately about parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters and their own children. I find it is more about relationships than careers”, states Larson.

You can find out more about Stellar Media and their services at their website — www.stellarmediaonline.com. You can also view a sample of their work with the story of “Mrs. V”. It was created in preparation for her 90^th birthday party and it shows her indomitable spirit. Her husband was in WW2 and during those four years she was in the States working in public health and keeping epidemics at bay in New Jersey. When her husband returned he was hit by a car and became disabled. She then worked to provide for her family. See this video sample

A well-crafted DVD story that is technically sound and produced for a fair price is the goal of every Stella Media project. And saving life stories on video can be a real treasure. “People should value their stories more”, says Eric Larson. “You will regret it if you don’t capture your family’s stories. Video is an excellent medium because it shows expressions, body language, voice, inflection and figures of speech.”

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