The Way We Were 08/25/02
Deborah Streichert does what the person holding a video camera at a baseball game or a birthday party does. She records
precious family memories. However, she and Generation Video business partner Mark Shapiro go a step further.
The producers - she's videotaped for Eaton Corporation, MTV and ESPN; he's worked for the Indians, Cavaliers and at the World
Series - use interviews, photographs and home movies to create a professional video that becomes a cherished keepsake. It
starts with interviews in the family home. "We want to know how far back the family can go," says Streichert. "Maybe a
grandparent who immigrated here will be one of the important interviews. And that grandparent can reach further back, both in
photos and personal reminiscing."
Events such as the Depression or World War II can play important roles in the video... as in life. "It's wonderful for us to see the
big picture, the huge backdrop of international affairs, and the ways men and women navigated," she says.
After all the footage is catalogued and a logical order for the family's story is determined, Streichert starts to edit. "I line up the
[family's] photos or home movies with what's being talked about on the video," she says. "It makes a big difference because we
all get tired of looking at a talking head."
Finally, she lays down a soundtrack based on the family's favorite music and superimposes names beneath the interview
subjects. Why names? "We do that because what we're creating will be watched by kids not even born yet," Streichert explains.
Occasionally, the team produces a special video, such as the recent one for "The Mad Marauders" of Firestone High School.
The dozen members of the Class of 1979 wanted to turn back the clock of time for their 40th birthdays. "Marauder" Rick
Ferensic, general manager of the Wooster Country Club, watched the video on its premiere night, and then the following day
viewed it another 10 times. "It's hilarious," he says. "You didn't know what anyone else said [at the interview] until the first
showing."
"Usually we don't interview a dozen people for a video because it gets too confusing for the viewer," Streichert says. "But for the
Marauders, it was vital that each one talked about the good old days' and the way they were." - John H. Tidyman
© 2002 The Plain Dealer. Used with permission.
Copyright 2002 cleveland.com. All Rights Reserved.
Deborah Streichert does what the person holding a video camera at a baseball game or a birthday party does. She records
precious family memories. However, she and Generation Video business partner Mark Shapiro go a step further.
The producers - she's videotaped for Eaton Corporation, MTV and ESPN; he's worked for the Indians, Cavaliers and at the World
Series - use interviews, photographs and home movies to create a professional video that becomes a cherished keepsake. It
starts with interviews in the family home. "We want to know how far back the family can go," says Streichert. "Maybe a
grandparent who immigrated here will be one of the important interviews. And that grandparent can reach further back, both in
photos and personal reminiscing."
Events such as the Depression or World War II can play important roles in the video... as in life. "It's wonderful for us to see the
big picture, the huge backdrop of international affairs, and the ways men and women navigated," she says.
After all the footage is catalogued and a logical order for the family's story is determined, Streichert starts to edit. "I line up the
[family's] photos or home movies with what's being talked about on the video," she says. "It makes a big difference because we
all get tired of looking at a talking head."
Finally, she lays down a soundtrack based on the family's favorite music and superimposes names beneath the interview
subjects. Why names? "We do that because what we're creating will be watched by kids not even born yet," Streichert explains.
Occasionally, the team produces a special video, such as the recent one for "The Mad Marauders" of Firestone High School.
The dozen members of the Class of 1979 wanted to turn back the clock of time for their 40th birthdays. "Marauder" Rick
Ferensic, general manager of the Wooster Country Club, watched the video on its premiere night, and then the following day
viewed it another 10 times. "It's hilarious," he says. "You didn't know what anyone else said [at the interview] until the first
showing."
"Usually we don't interview a dozen people for a video because it gets too confusing for the viewer," Streichert says. "But for the
Marauders, it was vital that each one talked about the good old days' and the way they were." - John H. Tidyman
© 2002 The Plain Dealer. Used with permission.
Copyright 2002 cleveland.com. All Rights Reserved.
The following article was published in the Sunday Magazine of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 25, 2002. Please note a
couple changes: Montrose Video was formerly known as Generation Video and Mark & Deborah were married in 2004.
couple changes: Montrose Video was formerly known as Generation Video and Mark & Deborah were married in 2004.
Montrose Video
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