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 passionate storyteller with 15 years of experience producing and directing over 400 films and videos in a wide range of industries. My work has won numerous prestigious awards including multiple Tellys and Hermes Creative Awards. I’ve had the privilege of working with CEOs and senior leaders at non-profit organizations, startups and multi-billion dollar international corporations to tell their stories in beautiful and compelling ways that touch hearts and compel action. Please feel free to check out my commercial work at Paige Erlich Productions here! Throughout my career, I have found the brand films that feature personal stories to be the most fulfilling and rewarding. These films delve into the journeys of individuals, the obstacles they faced, the valuable lessons they learned, and how they ultimately reached new heights of achievement and success. These are the stories I cherish the most, and they’re the ones that consistently draw people back to me year after year to express their appreciation for the profound impact they made. That’s why I decided to create Skywriter Studios - to bring this opportunity directly to people and families. I believe that no life story should go to the grave with the person who lived it, and that lives well-lived should be preserved in such a way that enables others to benefit from their wisdom. My professional experience as an experiential storyteller began when I was corporate meeting and event producer for pulse220, managing million-dollar budgets and producing high-end productions for Fortune 500 companies nationwide. I then pivoted to a career in the music industry as a recording artist and international DJ. I moved to Berlin, Germany, in 2003 to perform for millions of people in clubs and at shows on three continents. I returned in 2006 and became marketing director for pulse220, leading it through a brand repositioning that culminated in its acquisition by one of its industry’s giants. In addition to my professional endeavors, I am an avid boater and personal growth and development enthusiast. I’m a Tony Robbins Platinum Partner and advanced student of Dr. Joe Dispenza’s meditation practices based on findings from neuroscience, epigenetics, and quantum physics. Yo hablo español und etwas deutsch and I live in Royal Oak, Michigan with a treasured network of extended family. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to connect with you and share my passion and expertise. Feel free to call me at +1 248.217.3328, email me at paige@SkywriterStudios.com or schedule some time with me. I am always eager to expand my network and explore synergies so please don't hesitate to reach out!
Susan Brody
Executive Producer
Susan is passionate about preserving family legacies, life stories, and values on film. Her life’s work and personal legacy are apparent in each of the heirloom-quality family legacy films she creates for her clients. She has been a pioneer and thought leader in producing video biography documentaries and ethical wills since the year 2000. Susan’s interest in peoples’ stories began as a child growing up in Montreal in a multi-lingual, multi-cultural community with immigrants from all over the world, including Holocaust survivors and war veterans. Susan was captivated by the stories of struggle and success and developed the conviction that these stories and legacies needed to be preserved for future generations. Following her tenure as Entertainment Director for Club Med Resorts in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Haiti, Susan went on to establish Convention Designs, LLC, which became one of Colorado’s leading destination management companies. After growing and selling that company, Susan returned to graduate school to study film production and founded Family Legacies Inc. in 2000, to capture personal, family, and business stories, values, and ethical wills on video and film. Susan believes that people benefit immensely from understanding their family roots and values, giving them a self-confidence and sense of self that can’t be achieved in any other way. Through her years of working with families, Susan has shown that younger generations connect best with film and video, and that a family legacy films provide the most powerful way to connect generations past, present, and future. Susan and her husband David raised three boys, Jordan, Jason, and Zach. Tragedy struck them in 2018 with the death of their eldest son Jordan, from leukemia, at the age of 26. Jordan was a caring person, a civil rights activist who fed the unhoused and stood up for the voiceless. They continue Jordan’s legacy by supporting homeless non-profits, and through Susan’s work as Board Chair of the Mountain States Region of the Anti-Defamation League (a civil rights organization.) Their second son Jason is a compassionate and talented surgeon in NYC who works tirelessly to make the world a better place by helping his patients and saving lives. Susan and David raised their nephew Zach after he lost both his parents at age 11. He has been a gift to the whole Brody family. This year Zach graduated from university and will pursue his passion for international affairs. Susan is involved in numerous boards and community service activities, including leadership positions in the business community, civil rights, international affairs, homelessness and education. She speaks seven languages.