The Legacy Interview Experience
The process:
Step 1: Preparation We will mail you a preparation guide with questions that help you think of stories.
Step 2: The interview Arrive at our private recording studio in Saint Louis, Missouri for a half or full day conversation with our host.
Step 3: A few weeks later You receive a beautifully edited video of your interview via a shareable link & a long term storage device.
Each Legacy Interview is unique
We tailor each interview to the needs and wants of the guest. Before the interview, guests and loved ones are given the opportunity to fill out surveys that tell us what to focus on and be sure that we cover.
Most guests prefer that our expert conversation guide ask questions as he sees fit.
While we cover the five areas of life; childhood, career, marriage, parenting and the wisdom you learned along the way; it is up to the guest if there are certain areas we should focus on more than other.
"You made us feel so at ease and comfortable. We were truly blown away by the process. It was an amazing day!"
-Ron & Wendy Krosschell
Interview guests will:
1. Be prepared but not over-prepared: Our “Preparing for Your Interview” guide offers thought starter questions that will get you thinking about the stories and histories you want to record. In an effort to keep the conversation genuine we discourage you from writing down your answers.
2. Feel relaxed and confident: We know that you don’t speak in front of cameras very often, that’s why the conversation guide will sit with you prior to the interview to address any concerns. You can delete anything from the conversation and only answer the questions you want.
3. Look and sounds great: With our lighting and studio grade microphones, you may surprised with how sharp you look and sound. We will create flattering camera angles and will take breaks whenever you need to reset.
Vance is a skilled interviewer who brings a unique perspective to his work. He is known for his ability to connect with people from all walks of life and create a warm and relaxed atmosphere during each interview. This makes even the most apprehensive interviewees feel comfortable and confident as they share their memories, insights, and valuable life lessons.
Step 1: The Scheduling Survey & Gift Package
If you purchase a Legacy Interview as a gift, we will send you a survey that will tell us about your loved one. Additionally, we will ask for where we can send the gift package and when we can reach out to schedule the interview without spoiling the surprise.
Step 2: Preparing for the Interview
Guests receive a preparation package 2-3 weeks before the interview. This includes thought-starter questions to stimulate memories, a clothing guide to ensure they look their best on camera, and our terms of service for complete transparency on the process.
Step 3: The Recording Studio
Our recording studio resembles a comfortable living room with artwork and furnished with specially selected couches that support good posture for hours of conversation. The waiting room provides a stunning view overlooking the financial district of Saint Louis from the 16th floor.
Step 4: Interview
Your interview will be guided by host Vance Crowe. His unique talent lies in posing insightful questions based on guests’ responses, encouraging them to share deeply cherished stories in a completely confidential setting.
Step 5: Half or Full day?
A half-day interview is ideal for capturing a person’s life arc or describing a farm or business. This can be done as a couple or as an individual.
A full-day interview is designed for a couple that wishes to each do a Legacy Interview independently and then do an interview as a couple together. The full day includes a chef catered lunch and your interview will be transcribed and put in an archive grade leather bound book.
Step 6: Post-Interview Process
Our team takes approximately 30 days to finalize the interview video, focusing on enhancing color and sound quality. We respect guests’ wishes and will remove any part of the interview upon request, but generally, we do minimal content editing to preserve the authenticity of the conversation.
Step 7: The Leather-Bound Transcript
For guests who opt for a full-day interview, a leather-bound transcript of the interview is included. The transcript, bound by one of the last remaining bookbinders in the United States, includes a hidden compartment for storing the DVD of the interview and can feature up to 10 full-color photographs. This beautifully crafted keepsake serves as a tangible reminder of the guest’s unique life story.
One parent is an extrovert, the other, an introvert who was anxious about participating. Vance adjusted, making them both feel at ease. From stories to deeply held beliefs, they answered questions I’d never even thought to ask.
My parents and I sat down to watch both the interviews on Christmas Eve and it’s a memory I’ll cherish forever!
What types of questions will be asked?
We can talk about anything, but we usually start with this list of questions as thought starters. Before our interview starts, you will have an opportunity to tell the host if there are specific questions you want to be asked, or any areas you want to avoid.
Keep in mind, this is your interview, if you decide afterwards that there are parts of the interview you would like deleted- that is no problem.
About Vance Crowe
Vance Crowe holds a Master's degree in negotiations from the Seton Hall School of Diplomacy and has been invited around the English speaking world to give talks about conflict, succession and having better conversations. His experiences serving in the US Peace Corps stationed in a remote part of rural Kenya, as well as his fellowship at the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, have contributed to his ability to connect with people from all walks of life and create a warm and relaxed atmosphere during each interview.
How secure is my interview?
We take security very seriously. Your stories and thoughts will never be shared with anyone outside of the people producing the Legacy Interview. We have a strict confidentiality agreement.
All of the people associated with Legacy Interviews have been vetted and have signed a non-disclosure agreement stating that they will not share anything heard in these interviews.
Our entry level interviews are delivered digitally. We send you a link to a file downloading site, that uses industrial grade security. If you choose, we will upload your video to a web based video platform to view immediately or share.
Our concierge interviews are stored on a private USB drive and delivered by courier or secure mail. We can also send it digitally. We delete all interview files after we have successfully delivered the interview to ensure confidentiality.
Our family has blemishes
On rare occasions we have been asked to not ask questions related to a specific family member or subject. We will take the conversation where you want it.
My parents don’t open up very easily, what will you do about that?
Our host, Vance Crowe, is a world class conversationalist. He has interviewed tribal chiefs in Africa, leaders at the World Bank and has worked alongside farmers, asphalt pavers and as a sailor. He is able to find common ground with people from all walks of life.
Vance will be curious about your loved one, and will be open to sharing enough about himself to make them feel comfortable. It may take a few minutes, but we are confident that he can help almost anyone understand why he is asking questions and demonstrate he is worthy of their trust.
Quickly your loved one will feel relaxed and comfortable that they are in control of the conversation.
Who owns the interview?
The guest being interviewed owns the interview. If at any time the guest wants to stop the conversation or wants us to delete all or part of the interview, their request will be fulfilled as soon as possible.
If you purchase this gift for another person we will ask the guest for permission to share their interview with you, it is their choice. We will alert you once the interview has been scheduled, when it has been conducted, and when we have delivered the interview. If they choose we will also give you direct access to watch or download.
After we have delivered the interview we will store a copy for a fee. Otherwise we will delete all copies of the interview to ensure your family’s confidentiality.
To learn more see our privacy policy
Wondering what the questions will be like?
Download our Memory Guide to help you prepare to record your most valuable stories. You can write down your answers, or just think about them. Many of these questions are the same ones our host will ask during a real interview. Think of this as a long walk with your past self.
Have Questions?
This is a big investment. If you have questions, send us a note and we will get right back to you.
