Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Willis.
Hi Andrew, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I feel like I’ve always been a cameraman at heart. I’ve always had a camera nearby, looking for stories worth capturing.
A few years ago, I had the idea to record my grandpa’s stories on camera. He was getting older and living at my mom’s house, so the timing felt right. The idea was to set up my camera, ask him questions, and let him share his memories.
I thought I had plenty of time, but procrastination got the better of me. Unfortunately, he passed away before I ever had the opportunity to sit down with him and record those stories. There are stories I’ve never heard and now never will. There is also a voice and a laugh my mom will never hear again. I regret that tremendously.
However, out of that regret, Florida Legacy Films was born. I’m taking something I wish I had done for my own family and turning it into something timeless and meaningful for others.
So, how does it work? I sit down with your loved one, most often a parent or grandparent, and guide them through a series of scripted and unscripted questions. Nothing is included without your approval or your loved one’s approval, and I make sure to discuss any off-limits topics beforehand.
After the interview, I take that conversation into the editing room and transform it into a 20-40 minute documentary about their life, weaving in photographs, meaningful moments, and music to help tell their story. The goal is to create something that feels like watching your own family’s Netflix documentary.
My hope is that these films do more than preserve memories. I hope they allow future generations to meet the people who came before them — to hear their voices, see their personalities, and feel connected to a family history they may have otherwise never known.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road. The biggest challenge has been introducing people to a concept that many don’t know exists, nor realize they need until they understand what they’re really preserving.
Most people think about preserving family history through photographs, old videos, or written records. While those things are incredibly valuable, there is something uniquely powerful about hearing someone’s voice, seeing their expressions, and watching the way they tell a story. Helping people recognize that value has been one of the biggest challenges.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Florida Legacy Films is a documentary-style filmmaking company dedicated to preserving the stories, memories, and voices of the people who shaped your family.
At its core, I create personal family documentaries. I sit down with parents, grandparents, and loved ones to capture their life stories. These are the moments that shaped them, the lessons they learned, the challenges they overcame, and the memories their families may not have heard before. Those conversations are then transformed into cinematic films featuring the interview, family photographs, meaningful footage, and music.
I believe Florida Legacy Films sets itself apart from photographers, or the companies like Storyworth or Remento because it does something those can’t: allows future generations to hear their voice, see their expressions, and experience their personality.
My background in journalism has played a huge role in shaping the way I approach these documentaries. Years of interviewing people taught me how to ask meaningful questions, listen closely, and uncover these stories that often go untold. I bring that same storytelling approach into every family documentary. I’m also a very easy-going guy, allowing my interview subjects to open up right away.
If you’re reading this now, I want you to know that everyone has a story worth preserving. Big or small. Florida Legacy Films offers a variety of ways for families to preserve their stories, whether they want a full documentary experience that captures a loved one’s entire journey, a focused interview session designed to preserve their memories and wisdom, or a more personalized storytelling experience tailored to their family’s needs. Every project is built around the same goal: creating something that can be treasured for generations.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Just because everyone tells me that what I’m doing is such a great idea, doesn’t mean they’re going to be knocking down my door to purchase it. It takes months, and even years, of constantly showing up on things like social media, local marketplaces, and publications like this.
The good news is I’m determined to see it through.
Pricing:
- Prices range from $800 to $3,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://floridalegacyfilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floridalegacyfilms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floridalegacyfilms
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FloridaLegacyFilms
