Following straight on from that last blog - you've got a friend, let's call her Karen, who has great stories and you want to record them with the view to creating a book. While you are thinking about what kind of book it might be (maybe even a documentary?), let's just make sure you have permission to do the recordings.
Of course you’ll need Karen's permission. You don't need contracts at this stage, but it's a good idea to record her giving her permission at the start of each recording. Just a friendly chat at the start will do - you don't have to get formal about it. During your discussions, you should have made it clear that there might eventually be a book, but don't make any promises.
Don’t get anyone's hopes up that you are all going to be millionaires. Frankly, biographies don’t always sell that well, unless it’s someone who has been on TV. You could be very successful, or you might make £20 – even a publisher won’t be able to tell you at this stage. (more on that later)
So suggest the idea to Karen with a ‘softly softly’ approach. Your first approach should be “we’d like to record your stories because you are a brilliant story-teller” and then maybe “I think your stories might make a good book, but I can’t promise anything at this stage”. Get Karen involved with the process and make sure you have her permission to make the recordings.
Also, Karen’s immediate family need to be aware that someone is recording Karen’s stories with the possibility of creating a book. Ideally Karen should be the one to tell them, if she’s able to, and her family may want to discuss it with you. Again, don’t get their hopes up and don’t discuss finances at this stage – unless they want to contribute some money to the project, but even then take care! If they’d like to get involved, that’s up to Karen. She might like them in the room while she's telling the stories. (As a writer, I'd actually prefer to have Karen alone, but that would be up to Karen.) Her family and friends might also contribute time and effort to the process, which is a bonus. But don’t guarantee them percentages of any profits just yet! The whole project may end up making a loss, so don’t start encouraging big investments. Not yet anyway.
Also a quick note about images - express permission is needed to use Karen's photos, including any you take of her. The family may have more images and ask them for permission upfront. Don’t offer payment, at least not yet.
If Karen is in a nursing home or other ‘public’ location, then the location manager needs to know that you are doing recordings. It is highly unlikely they will object, and if you can get them onboard, they may have advice and be able to help, maybe even a quieter location. It might also stop any staff members interrupting the recordings with offers of tea etc – but make sure you work at their convenience, around their schedules.
SO YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT:
KAREN’S PERMISSION Each recording should be introduced by you or someone making sure that Karen is happy to do the recording, and she understands that these recordings could become a book or documentary.
KAREN’S FAMILY – they need to know what Karen is doing and they may want to get involved, but that’s up to Karen.
LOCATION MANAGER (if applicable) – needs to know about the recordings and might be able to offer help.
In the next blog, I'll talk a bit about the actual recording process.
Of course you’ll need Karen's permission. You don't need contracts at this stage, but it's a good idea to record her giving her permission at the start of each recording. Just a friendly chat at the start will do - you don't have to get formal about it. During your discussions, you should have made it clear that there might eventually be a book, but don't make any promises.
Don’t get anyone's hopes up that you are all going to be millionaires. Frankly, biographies don’t always sell that well, unless it’s someone who has been on TV. You could be very successful, or you might make £20 – even a publisher won’t be able to tell you at this stage. (more on that later)
So suggest the idea to Karen with a ‘softly softly’ approach. Your first approach should be “we’d like to record your stories because you are a brilliant story-teller” and then maybe “I think your stories might make a good book, but I can’t promise anything at this stage”. Get Karen involved with the process and make sure you have her permission to make the recordings.
Also, Karen’s immediate family need to be aware that someone is recording Karen’s stories with the possibility of creating a book. Ideally Karen should be the one to tell them, if she’s able to, and her family may want to discuss it with you. Again, don’t get their hopes up and don’t discuss finances at this stage – unless they want to contribute some money to the project, but even then take care! If they’d like to get involved, that’s up to Karen. She might like them in the room while she's telling the stories. (As a writer, I'd actually prefer to have Karen alone, but that would be up to Karen.) Her family and friends might also contribute time and effort to the process, which is a bonus. But don’t guarantee them percentages of any profits just yet! The whole project may end up making a loss, so don’t start encouraging big investments. Not yet anyway.
Also a quick note about images - express permission is needed to use Karen's photos, including any you take of her. The family may have more images and ask them for permission upfront. Don’t offer payment, at least not yet.
If Karen is in a nursing home or other ‘public’ location, then the location manager needs to know that you are doing recordings. It is highly unlikely they will object, and if you can get them onboard, they may have advice and be able to help, maybe even a quieter location. It might also stop any staff members interrupting the recordings with offers of tea etc – but make sure you work at their convenience, around their schedules.
SO YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT:
KAREN’S PERMISSION Each recording should be introduced by you or someone making sure that Karen is happy to do the recording, and she understands that these recordings could become a book or documentary.
KAREN’S FAMILY – they need to know what Karen is doing and they may want to get involved, but that’s up to Karen.
LOCATION MANAGER (if applicable) – needs to know about the recordings and might be able to offer help.
In the next blog, I'll talk a bit about the actual recording process.