How many times have you thought about capturing your family stories, and then done nothing about it?
Or tried a DIY option and been dissatisfied with the result?
What's the impact on future generations if they don't understand their roots?
How often do you worry that you might wait until it’s too late?
We know how daunting it is to try to make sense of your own story, and to capture the stories of loved ones on your own. And we understand the haunting regret that comes from losing a loved one with their stories untold. Our team of award-winning storytellers will lovingly guide you through the process of creating your family heirloom film.
“You said you would
honor my story
and you certainly did,
and then some.”
- Peter Quigley
President and CEO, Kelly
(2019 - 2025)
How your film comes to life
You bring the memories. We shape them into a story.
1
Envision Your Film
It begins with what you want this film to mean.
During your consultation, we’ll talk about what you want to preserve, who the film is for, and what you hope they will understand and feel when they watch it. Together, we’ll determine the right type of film and customize the scope around your story, priorities and budget.
2
Tell Us Your Story
You talk. We listen, ask the right questions, and take it from there.
Through relaxed conversations, your producer gets to know you, your family and the experiences that have shaped your story. There’s no need to organize your memories, decide what makes the cut, or figure out how it all fits together. We help you identify the strongest stories and themes, determine what belongs in the film, and guide you toward the photographs, home movies, people and places that can help us tell it beautifully.
3
Be the Star of Your Own Film
Relax, enjoy the experience, and let our production team take care of every detail.
By the time the cameras roll, everything is prepared so you can be present and enjoy it. Our director guides the conversation naturally, with our crew operating a professional production environment around you. Depending on your film, we may also capture the people, places, traditions and moments that make your story uniquely yours — from everyday life to meaningful locations, family gatherings and milestone events.
4
Your Film Comes to Life
Behind the scenes, our storytellers transform everything we’ve captured into a cinematic narrative.
This is where the artistry of post-production begins. We artfully shape your interviews, footage, photographs, home movies, music and other materials into a compelling film with its own rhythm, emotion and point of view.
When the first cut is ready, we present your film to you. Then you step back into the executive producer’s role— sharing your perspective and helping us refine the details until the finished film is inimitably yours.
5
Share Your Legacy with Your Loved Ones
Gather the people you love and experience your family story together.
Your finished film becomes something to enjoy now and preserve for generations. Watch it together, share it with children and grandchildren, return to it over the years, and let it become part of the way your family remembers, understands and celebrates its story.
Sample Video Clips
Different Stories. Different Ways to Tell Them.
Final packages are customized to your story and budget.
Words of Wisdom for Future Generations
A short film preserving the values, wisdom and wishes you want to pass on to the people you love.
20 minutes
Starting at $19,000
Portrait Film
A cinematic time capsule of this chapter of your life—capturing the people, places and moments you’ll one day wish you could step back into.
12 - 15 minutes
Starting at $36,000
Family Legacy - Short Film
A cinematic documentary short film about your life, your family history, values, life lessons and the most important stories from your journey.
45 minutes
Starting at $42,000
Family Legacy - Feature Film
A richer, more immersive family documentary with room not only for the stories that shaped your family, but for the places, traditions and moments that bring those stories to life.
90 minutes
Starting at $68,000
Family Legacy - Mini Series
For families whose story is simply too rich for one film, a documentary series creates the space to preserve more of the people, places, traditions and stories that shaped your family.
Up to 6 episodes
Starting at $190,000
The Work You Never Have to Think About
All the detail, craft and coordination that go into making your film behind the scenes.
PRE-PRODUCTION
Pre-interviews
Story development
Location scouts
Historical asset curation (photos, artifacts and memorabilia)
half a day - 2 days
PRODUCTION
Broadcast-quality 4k film production
Comfortable and professionally guided interviews
B-roll footage of meaningful places, possessions and traditions
On-site digitization and capture of your historical assets
1 - 3 days
POST-PRODUCTION
Secure local backup of your footage and historical assets, with redundant, secure cloud storage
Footage and asset ingestion and data management
Creative assembly and narrative structuring
Color correction and grading
Sound design and audio mastering
Cinematic music score
Motion graphics and titles
2 rounds of review
1 - 3 months
DELIVERY
Your film is delivered digitally as a downloadable file. You may also choose:
-
A password-protected webpage hosted for one year, with the option to extend hosting
-
Archival-grade inorganic Blu-ray M-Discs
1 - 2 weeks
Skywriter Studios clients want to be remembered for their accomplishments, the challenges they overcame and the lessons they learned along the way.
They want future generations to benefit from the wisdom they’ve acquired, to carry the values they’ve lived by and to create ever greater opportunities for the generations that follow. They want their lives to be celebrated - not to stroke their ego, but to amplify their impact. And that is a noble call.
Telling a life story and family story in a clear and compelling way requires skill and expertise, a fact that anyone whose ever tried to do it for themselves or a loved one, knows well. It can be daunting, and tragically most people give up in the early stages or before they even start. Sitting on these untold stories can cause haunting regret.
Skywriter Studios believes that no life story should go to the grave with the person that lived it, that well-lived lives should be celebrated, and that everyone should be able to understand their own life in the context of the shoulders they stand on.
That’s why we’ve made it our mission to lovingly guide you through the process of creating beautiful films that preserve your life and family stories so they can be celebrated, amplified and passed down for generations.
Schedule a consultation today so you can stop worrying about waiting until it’s too late, and get the peace of mind knowing that your legacy will be preserved for your family and future generations.
About Us
We’re delighted you’re here and interested to learn a little more about us.
Paige Erlich
Founder, Producer, Director, Storyteller
I’m a filmmaker and storyteller with 18 years of experience producing and directing more than 500 films and videos across a wide range of industries. My work has earned multiple Telly and Hermes Creative Awards, and I’ve had the privilege of working with CEOs, nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs and global companies to tell stories that move people and inspire action. Throughout my career, the films I’ve found most meaningful have always been the ones rooted in personal stories—the experiences that shaped someone, the obstacles they overcame, the lessons they learned and the values they carried forward. Those are the films people return to years later and tell me still matter. That’s why I created Skywriter Studios. I believe the stories, wisdom and perspective of a life well lived should not disappear with the person who lived it. Film gives families something photographs, documents and genealogy alone cannot: the chance to hear a loved one’s voice, understand what shaped them and preserve not only what happened, but what it meant. My career began in experiential storytelling, producing large-scale corporate meetings and events for Fortune 500 companies. I later spent several years in the music industry as a recording artist and international DJ, living in Berlin and performing throughout Europe and beyond, before returning to marketing and film production. That varied path taught me how to create experiences that connect emotionally—something I bring to every Skywriter film. Outside of work, I’m an adventurous traveler, a lifelong student of personal growth and increasingly fascinated by the natural world and our place within it. I speak Spanish and some German, and I live in Michigan surrounded by a treasured network of family and friends.
Pete Ferguson
Director of Sales and Operations
Skywriter Studios brought me out of an early retirement. I was drawn to the work because I have tremendous respect for elders and for the wisdom that comes only from a life fully lived. I no longer have living elders in my own family, so I understand personally how much can disappear when there is no longer someone to ask. The opportunity to help families preserve those voices, stories and perspectives felt like work worth doing. As Director of Sales and Operations, I’m often one of the first people our clients speak with. I listen carefully to what they want to preserve, help them choose the film that best fits their vision and remain involved throughout the process. I want every client to feel heard, understood and valued—and confident that the investment they are making will result in something meaningful to their family. I also lead our crew and production operations on set, making sure the experience feels comfortable, organized and well cared for from beginning to end. I’m naturally drawn to problem-solving and relationship-building, and I’ve always believed that the best businesses are built on fairness: everyone involved should be respected, well served and feel good about the outcome. My professional background includes a degree in audiovisual engineering, five years working for large companies and the founding and operation of three successful businesses in audiovisual engineering, home restoration and herbalism. Across very different industries, the common thread has been understanding people, building trust, solving problems and creating organizations that work well for everyone involved. Outside of work, I’m a lifelong student of theology and philosophy and an adventurous traveler who has explored 18 countries across four continents. My background also includes years of combat sports, scuba diving and a wide range of outdoor pursuits. Those experiences have reinforced something I’ve believed for a long time: there is always more to learn from people, from experience and from the world around us.