Famous Last Words (And Afterwards)
I was driving when the text came in.
It was from Bill (not his real name). Bill and I are continuing to develop a project together. The details are under wraps, but let’s just say that it’s a unique spin on a biography.
At least, we thought it was unique.
Bill’s message implored me to watch Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane’s Famous Last Words on Netflix. Apparently, someone scooped our idea.
In a 45-minute session, Eric Dane reflects on his life, love, and struggles in an emotional interview, sharing heartfelt advice and a final message for his teenage daughters. ALS may have taken Dane’s body, but nothing was going to silence his voice. At least not yet. The session was filmed with the intention of delaying its release until after Dane’s passing.
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It’s a profound thought that, like an echo, our words may be carried onward into the future after we’re gone.
In fact, it’s not so strange. My cousin makes beautiful quilts of a quality that will endure decades; my daughter fashions jewelry from silver and other durable metals. Why shouldn’t our precious reflections on life also share in the permanence that these objects enjoy?
***
When I crossed into the current chapter of my storytelling life, it was not to establish a new frontier in story media. It was to solve a problem.
The first of a kind: When an unforeseen medical event caused Holly to consider the substance of her legacy, she became the first subject of a Life Story by Lavender Story Studio. In the ensuing 5 years, the concept continues to be adapted to the unique circumstances of private filmmaking both locally and afar.
My dear friend and co-worker, Holly, is known to her grandchildren as “Mimi”. This is a role that she treasures beyond all else. Despite being active in spin classes, strength training and yoga, Holly suffered a sudden and near-fatal health incident that brought her within a few hours of death. As she and I unpacked this situation a few months later, the concept of Life Stories was born. While nothing can replace Mimi when she’s gone, we agreed that the idea of leaving behind an intentional story could provide a beautiful and insightful keepsake for her children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren.
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In the five years that I have been offering personal filmmaking, many variations of the Life Story concept have emerged. Sometimes, the people are gone already but their family initiates a collaboration. Often the people are still around and their family sets up some recording sessions at a gathering to capture the classic family stories. Occasionally, they’re not so advanced in years as one might think – for why not capture one’s story as a vigorous 50- or 60-something? For the record, my youngest Life Story participant was 50 and my eldest was 100 years old. Most are somewhere between.
And, yes, sometimes my clients create stories for “later”. The reasons for this are profoundly touching and personal. There is something poetic about leaving a sealed message to make an impression from beyond our time.
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While most of my creative work involves storytelling for non-profit organizations, commercial enterprises and social agencies, I’m still deeply impacted when someone reaches out to discuss a Life Story. And if things move forward, I feel honoured to facilitate their story.
As Eric Dane may have considered, a Life Story isn't about legacy in the grand sense. It's about the people who will miss you — and what you most want them to carry forward.
What will your famous last words be?
Curious to explore the concept of a Life Story?
Contact me to set up a short discovery conversation.
It would be a pleasure.
