I like the idea but I don’t know how to tell my story, or someone else’s…

That’s where Russell comes in. He’s been helping people tell their stories for 25 years. 

Russell has recorded with musicians, actors, athletes, politicians and others in the media spotlight but, more importantly, he’s documented the experiences, tales, and revelations of people who’ve never previously been near a microphone.

Before any recordings commence you’ll be sent an Interview Preparation Pack. That will be used during the telephone/video consultation to help you and Russell hone down the themes and topics you’ll cover at the recordings.

So, before we do any recordings, what happens during the free thirty minute telephone/video consultation?

You’ll have been sent the Preparation Pack, which asks for key information and details. All you have to do is complete the form, email it back to Russell, and that will be a start point for your conversation. 

You might have themes and topics you’re initially keen to cover, and the consultation gives you the opportunity to explore and discuss your options.

I’m not familiar with public speaking and I’m not ready to make a speech or presentation… 

All your recordings will be conversational and relaxed. Russell will lead you through the process by asking questions and exploring your recollections with you. There’s no wrong answers and you’re not delivering a performance.  Ahead of recording together Russell will know what you want to achieve and will be following the choices you made together during the free consultation. 

Do you travel?

Absolutely! Russell lives in Dorset and will travel wherever needed - whether it’s the UK or abroad. Any journey of over two hours driving may incur additional travel and accommodation costs as relevant. That will all be discussed and agreed on before proceeding.

If you’re choosing the ‘Tell Our Story’ or ‘Tell Their Story’ option, where more than one person is involved, a bespoke package can be arranged, where we all get together in one location, at the same or similar time.

How do you work?

Russell’s always respectful and looks for the experience to be friendly and relaxed. If we’re recording at an event the ambition is to record discreetly. Russell always tries to be unobtrusive but the sight of a microphone can excite or interest people who aren’t meant to be involved. Most importantly, Russell’s there to capture your precious thoughts and memories, and that’s his priority.  

When you come to us, where and how do you record?

When it’s just you and Russell for ‘Record Your Story’ we can often do this at your home. Ideally we want somewhere peaceful, so background noises such as refrigerators, busy traffic, building work, and aircraft overhead are usually best avoided. However, each situation and location is different and we will discuss this before recording begins.

The same guidelines about background noise apply when a group of people come together for ‘Record Our Story’. You might be recorded as a group and/or as individuals, and we’ll do all that we can to bring your contributions together in the best possible way.

If we’re recording at an event or gathering for either ‘Record Our Story’ or ‘Record Their Story’ we’ll look at working around the inevitable background noise. Chatter or laughter unconnected to our recordings can be OK but background music is often a challenge. However, we can discuss the expected environment in advance and find solutions. If we are to record on someone else’s property we will need their permission to do so in advance. Russell is DBS checked and has Public Liability Insurance.

What makes you unique?

It’s the variety of experience Russell brings to his work. Whatever someone’s culture, background, encounters, or location Russell works with them to secure their stories. He’s made music documentaries for Radio 1 and 1Xtra; explored surrogacy and shopping malls for the BBC World Service; tackled loneliness, Texan gun laws and Japanese demographics on Radio 4; and produced programming for the fight against HIV/Aids in Africa for UNICEF and MTV.  One of Russell’s key strengths is that he’s met and worked with people from a diverse range of upbringings, lifestyles and traditions.

Can I choose the music in my story?

Due to copyright restrictions we won’t be able to feature your favourite artist’s song in your story. However, we use music subscription services to find the perfect (fully licensed) music that complements your story. And that ensures you have a soundtrack you can freely share on social media.

How quickly do you deliver the stories?

Each story is individual and we don’t rush the creative process just to ‘finish them quicker’. Generally we say it takes from 2 to 4 months after the last recording is completed. It’s worth the wait and you’ll have your story forever.  In the Interview Preparation Pack you’ll be asked if there is a specific anniversary or date that you’d like your story to mark.

How will I get my story?

We’ll send you a private link so you can download your story. If you’ve ordered a physical copy, such as on a USB stick or CD, that will be sent by post.

Are all the stories you create one hour long?

No. One hour is a guide as to how long you might expect the finished product to be. One hour is also the template Russell uses, based on previous experience, to create your finished story.  Some finished stories might only need to be 30 minutes long, others possibly 90 minutes long. The quality of the finished product is measured by how much it tells your story, and how it interests, engages and resonates with the listener, rather than by how many minutes it runs for.

Can I have a story which runs over a few parts or episodes, rather than one single product?

Yes, of course.  At the telephone/video consultation you can explore what’s possible and if having multiple episodes could work for the story or stories you want to tell. Some people might have several tales or experiences which they might want broken up into separate parts. If that happens it’s likely that the individual episodes will be of differing lengths - much like what happens on many podcasts or streaming services, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime. The investment required for producing your specific story or stories over multiple episodes will be discussed and agreed before proceeding.

What’s the booking process?

It's very simple!  Following the telephone/video consultation you’ll confirm you wish to proceed and Russell will send an invoice for your deposit. Once that has been received your booking is secured. 

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What’s the payment schedule?

The deposit is 30% of the final cost and that secures your booking. After the recordings are completed a further 30% payment is required. The remaining 40% balance is due seven days before your story is delivered.  If during the production process any extra costs and services are agreed the amount of the remaining two payments will be adjusted accordingly.

What does my investment cover?

The process involves extensive pre-production planning, alongside hours spent recording and editing to craft a personalised story. It requires a skilled and experienced professional to capture and edit your memories with precision and creativity. Record Your Story preserves unique moments and recollections which you’ll cherish for years and can share with future generations. It’s an investment for today and tomorrow.

Is there a difference in sound quality between recordings made in person and those made remotely?

Yes. Being face to face and using professional microphones should usually produce better recordings, subject to the environment. However, most people are busy, have jobs, responsibilities, and sometimes live in different time zones - so appearing remotely and digitally is often the best and most convenient option. The BBC has guests and interviewees join them remotely and digitally every day, and probably every hour of each day, so the vast majority of such connections are considered ‘broadcast quality’.  There are tricks and tips we can use to secure the best quality sound and recordings and most people never notice the difference.  Russell can provide you with examples if you’re curious to know more. 

Are there any additional costs?

There might be but everything will all be discussed and agreed before proceeding. As mentioned, Russell lives in Dorset and will travel wherever needed - whether it’s in the UK or abroad. Any journey of over two hours driving may incur additional travel and accommodation costs as relevant. 

For the ‘Tell Our Story’ and ‘Tell Their Story’ options is there a limit on the number of interviewees?

Yes and no and, because each story is individual, it will be agreed beforehand on who and what is included in the recordings. 

As a guide, the ‘Tell Our Story’ option is most often used to bring together the memories of a group of people who shared an experience, perhaps such as being in a band or social group. For that Russell would usually expect to speak with approximately six people, so each of their takes or recollections could be properly explored and linked to each other. If the number of participants is greater than six it is possible there will be extra costs. 

The approach for the ‘Tell Their Story’ option differs because it collects simple memories and messages as a gift for other people. It’s possible to gather the majority of those at an event, such as a wedding, and the prices reflect the increased number of people interviewed and included in the final story. 

What happens if I want to change the schedule for interviews and/or delivery?

You’re welcome to ask and Russell will always try to be accommodating. However, only a limited number of stories are produced each year and your proposed new dates have to fit within the schedules Record Your Story already has in place.

What happens if I’ve booked one of the three options and want to cancel?

The deposit is non-refundable. Once you’ve booked with Russell various dates and times will have been scheduled for interviews, editing, and delivery of your story, and that means other potential customers will have been denied the choice of those dates and times.