As the producer of your home video, first things first: Get a camera and start shooting — or put the camera in the hands of someone whose eye you trust and get in the picture yourself. Here are some tips to keep in mind throughout your shoot:
* Plan a day's shooting schedule ahead of time. Hollywood directors work from a "shot list," detailing each moment they want to capture on a given day. When you film, keep your own list at hand. Is your granddaughter at her most priceless when she's dancing to her favorite Broadway soundtrack? Plan to get that shot right after her nap. Do you want footage of your grandson eating spaghetti with his hands so you can embarrass him when he's older? Make sure your camera is charged by lunchtime.
* Keep the filming of individual moments short, so the kids don't get tired of being on camera, and so you'll have less editing to do.
* Kids can be adorable when they're putting on a show for you, but if you're aiming for more of a documentary style, try to sneak up on them, to capture them as they really are. If that's not possible, just let them fool around in front of the camera for a couple of minutes until they get over the excitement and go back to being themselves.
* To get the best audio quality possible, film in a location with minimal background noise. If you're inside, for example, make sure TVs and stereos are turned off before you start recording.
So, now that you're ready to film, what movies will you make? Every grandchild has his or her own special qualities worth capturing for posterity, and every family has its own rituals, but these ten suggestions cover some classic moments that any family would want to preserve:
1. My First Year
Record just a few minutes of video each month to document a new grandchild's growth and personality development. (Include a handwritten sign with the baby's age in the first shot of each scene.) Aim to get the baby's first roll, cruise, and step, of course, but also try to capture everyday moments — like the child's giggle when being tickled, or his or her reaction to hearing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider."
2. The Birthday Party
Pan the room, focus on the (probably overwhelmed) star of the day, get statements from special guests, show a toddler's fascination with bright balloons and, of course, record the unveiling of the cake, the candle-blowing, the singing, and the good-byes. A shot of the birthday girl or boy looking exhausted makes a great final image.
3. Look Who's Talking (and Swimming and Skating... )
Start a highlight reel of milestones from your grandchild's first few years: first day at the beach or in the pool; first night in a big bed; first day of nursery school; first time on ice skates or swinging a bat. When your grandchild is old enough, ask him or her a few questions on camera about each new accomplishment. Remember to keep it short and sweet: All these moments will add up to one big documentary, maybe something to give the grandchild on a special birthday.
4. Toddler Idol
Make your grandchildren the stars of their own music videos: Record them singing their ABC’s; reciting the poems they have memorized at preschool; having an impromptu, high-energy dance party with siblings; playing air guitar to a rock CD, or air conductor to a classical recording; or practicing a dance routine. Years later, when you show it to them, it will bring back some long-forgotten memories.
5. A Day in the Life
This is a great video to make once a year, and one that is well served by a carefully planned shot list: Get footage of the grandchildren waking up, eating breakfast, going to school, making an art project, chasing the dog, playing at the park, and snuggling before bed. Later on, you can add captions and commentary, as in the sample below:
6. When Grandpa Met Grandma
Ask your child, or an older grandchild, to record you, or you and your spouse, sitting on the couch talking about how you met. Keep it sweet and romantic. Even if you think everyone knows the story, it’s an important part of your family history and deserves to be preserved.
7. The Never-Ending Story
Pick one of your grandchildren's favorite books and ask your spouse or child to tape you reading it to them during a visit. Make sure to include the kids' rapt faces in the shot. If you're a long-distance grandparent, tape yourself reading the book in your most theatrical voice, then mail or e-mail the recording to the kids right away. It’s guaranteed to become an instant favorite.
8. Happy Birthday to You, and You, and You
Make separate videos of yourself singing "Happy Birthday" to each of your grandchildren and start a tradition of e-mailing the footage to each of them on their birthdays. It gives them a way to share a special celebration with you each year, whether or not you'll be at their party in person.
9. Every Picture Tells a Story
Channel your inner Ken Burns (producer of PBS' Baseball and The Civil War) by lining up and shooting footage of old family photographs to introduce grandchildren to your own parents, grandparents, siblings, and other important people they may never have met. Do a few trial runs before adding your narration to make sure you're able to show the photos to their best effect. If grandchildren are present when you shoot, encourage them to participate by asking questions while the camera is focused on each photo.
10. This Is How We Do It
What's your grandchildren's favorite tickle game? What's your goodnight ritual with the kids? What's their favorite place to go with you? Film you and the kids doing whatever it is that makes your relationship special, whether it's gardening, going to the swings, or having a dance party. These are the moments you'll want to be able to look back on forever. Don't let them get away.
Previously in our home-video series: Producing Your Family’s Memories
Want to put yourself on film? Become a grand storyteller
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