The Journal
On the craft
of remembering.
Why founders are commissioning films about their own lives
Founders are commissioning personal documentaries at a point of transition. Not brand films. Films about who they actually are, what they built, and why it mattered.
How to preserve your family's story on film
The honest guide to your options: home video, audio recording, written memoir, and professional documentary film — and what each one can and can't hold.
What is a legacy film
A legacy film is a cinematic portrait of a real person, made to preserve their stories, values, and character for the people who come after them.
What if my parent is camera shy
Camera shyness is the most common concern we hear. It is also, almost always, not the obstacle people expect it to be.
The gift siblings can give together: a portrait film for your parents
A portrait film from The Open Journal splits naturally between siblings. Here is how the commission works as a group gift, and how to bring your brothers and sisters on board.
How much does a personal documentary cost in the UK
Personal documentary commissions at The Open Journal start from £2,250 for a Core Portrait, £3,500 for an Extended Chronicle, and £5,500 for a Signature Opus.
What happens to a person's stories when they die
Most of what a person carries — the particular way they saw things, the small stories they only told once — disappears when they do. It doesn't have to.
How to give a personal documentary as a gift
A personal documentary film makes a meaningful gift for a parent's milestone birthday. Here is what it involves, what it costs, and how far ahead to plan.
What is a personal documentary?
A personal documentary is a professionally directed, cinematic film made about a real person, not a promotional video but a character-driven story told with the craft of documentary filmmaking. Here is what makes it different and why families are commissioning them.