The Legacy Narrative Book a story call

Their voice. Their stories. Kept for the people who come next.

We make cinematic documentary films about the people who shaped your family or your company. One filming day. A film your grandchildren will watch.

Book a free story call See the work

Every family has a story nobody recorded.

A grandmother leans into a car to say goodbye to her grandson

We keep photos. We rarely keep voices. The way your mother laughs. How your grandfather tells the story of the first job, the move, the war, the farm, the business.

Those stories go when the people go. A Legacy Narrative film keeps them while there is still time to ask.

Their voiceRecorded with broadcast sound, not a phone.
Their faceLit and framed with care, at home.
Their wordsThe full interview, kept for your family.

The moments we keep

Each film follows the same arc: where they began, what tested them, how they changed, and what they want you to carry forward.

Two kinds of legacy film

Same craft. Different reasons to make it.

For families

A parent or grandparent tells their life story, at home, in their own words.

  • A milestone birthday or anniversary
  • A gift that nobody else can give
  • Before memory or health changes
See family packages

How it works

Most families need only one filming day. We plan everything with you first.

  1. Story call

    A free 30 minute call. We learn who the film is about and why now.

  2. Story plan

    You fill out a short intake. We plan the questions, people, places, and photos.

  3. Filming day

    A small crew comes to you. The interview feels like a good conversation.

  4. The edit

    We shape the story, add photos and music, and send it for your review.

  5. Delivery

    You get the film to share and keep, plus the extras in your package.

We film where they live

Their living room. Their piano. Their bedroom. We bring soft light and quiet sound gear, and we set up around them. Most people forget the camera after ten minutes.

Family members hold a grandmother's hands and kiss her cheek An older man rests his hands on his cane by his piano A grandfather watches from behind a screen door

Family packages

Filmed within 50 miles of Waukee, Iowa. Travel anywhere in the US is available.

A first step

Story Session

$1,950

  • One interview, up to 60 minutes
  • Filmed at home, about 2 hours on site
  • A 5 to 7 minute film
  • Up to 10 family photos in the edit
  • Licensed music
  • One review round
  • Delivered in about 2 weeks
Ask about this package
The full story

Legacy Film

$3,500

  • Main interview plus one family interview
  • Up to 4 hours, up to 3 locations
  • An 8 to 10 minute documentary
  • Up to 25 photos scanned and animated
  • Licensed music
  • Two review rounds
  • Delivered in about 3 weeks
Ask about this package
For the whole family

Heirloom Legacy

$5,900

  • Main interview plus up to 3 family interviews
  • Full day filming, up to 4 locations
  • A 10 to 15 minute documentary
  • Up to 50 photos and keepsakes filmed
  • The full interview archive
  • Keepsake box
  • Licensed music
  • Three review rounds
Ask about this package

Add to any film

Ask about these on your story call.

Social first edit video, about 60 seconds$500
Extra family interview$450
Full interview archive (included in Heirloom Legacy)$350
Portrait photography session$600
Spanish or English subtitles$250

A 50% deposit holds your filming date. The balance is due when you approve the final film. We film in English and Spanish. Filmamos en español.

Recognition films for companies

Some people shape a company for decades. A plaque does not tell that story. A short documentary does.

We interview the honoree, the people they led, and sometimes their family. The film plays at the event, lives in your archive, and goes home as a gift.

Jose spent years producing recognition and hall of fame films for a Fortune 200 company. This is the same standard, for your team.

Plan a recognition film

Recognition films start at

$6,500

For retirements, milestones, founder stories, and hall of fame series. We quote each film after a short planning call.

Give a legacy film

For a parent's birthday, an anniversary, or the holidays. You buy a gift card for any package. We plan the film with the family when they are ready.

Buy a gift card

"What do you want us to remember?"

A Legacy Narrative filmGift card
Jose Calderon, founder of digitaljose

Made by digitaljose

Jose is a director of photography and creative director with more than 20 years in documentary and commercial film. For about 13 years he led the global video and photography team at Principal Financial Group, a Fortune 200 company.

He was born in Ecuador and grew up between two languages and two cultures. He knows what is lost when a family story is not passed down. He films every Legacy Narrative himself.

20+ yearsDirecting and filming
Regional EmmyAward winner
Fortune 200Former Director of Photography
English and SpanishInterviews in both

A recipe is a story too

Our sister studio, Heirloom Kitchen Films, films a loved one cooking a family recipe in their own kitchen.

Visit Heirloom Kitchen Films

Questions families ask

My parent is shy. Will this work?

Yes. Most people are nervous for the first ten minutes. We start with easy questions, keep the crew small, and the camera stays out of the way. It feels like a long conversation.

Their health or memory is changing. Should we wait?

We recommend you do not wait. We can keep the interview short, take breaks, and include family members who help tell the story. Tell us on the story call and we will plan around it.

Who should be in the film?

The person you honor is the center. We help you choose one to three family members who add the most to the story. Others can appear in the film without a formal interview.

Can you film in Spanish?

Yes. Jose conducts interviews in English and Spanish. We can add subtitles in either language so every generation can watch.

How long does it take?

Most films take one filming day. You get the first cut in two to four weeks, depending on the package. Holiday dates fill early, so book soon if you want the film as a gift.

Who sees our footage?

Only your family, unless you say otherwise. We never share your film or clips in public without written permission. We keep the final film for you indefinitely.

Do you travel?

Yes. Filming within 50 miles of Waukee, Iowa is included. We quote travel for anywhere else in the US and abroad.

Book a free story call

Tell us a little about the person and the moment. We will reply within one business day to set up a 30 minute call.

Emailjose@digitaljose.com