Getting Started with Immortalia

When you log in to Immortalia for the first time, you’ll be presented with a number of question categories; from Basic Facts, to Adolescence, to Regrets and Quirky Questions.

Open a category to see a full list of questions relating to that aspect of your life. Our questions are carefully curated to help you paint a full and engaging picture of your memories.

Many of our users choose to begin with Basic Facts, just to get the storytelling wheels in motion.

You might find, however, that starting with a very specific story can help immerse you in the process and jumpstart your memory.

For example, for your first question, you could choose, “Did you ever play any pranks on your neighbors and family?” under the Adolescence category. Or start with your Love life if you’ve got a romantic story that you’re excited to tell!

You can complete Immortalia questions in any order, and you can go back at any time to fill in the blanks or re-record an answer.

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To get the most out of Immortalia, you’ll want to create exceptional quality videos that are sure to last for generations to come. That means finding a place to record that provides ample lighting and insulates you from any distracting noises.

Here are some Dos & Don’ts for choosing a place to record:

• Do: Choose a room with lots of natural light for day recording. For recording at night, pick a spot with multiple sources of light in order to avoid harsh shadows or a spotlight effect.

• Don’t: Pick a noisy spot like a coffee shop or your front porch! Your iPad’s microphone may have trouble picking up your voice if you’re surrounded by lots of ambient noise.

• Do: Warn the rest of the household before you start recording. Asking them not to interrupt you while you record not only ensures quality audio and video; it also ensures you won’t lose your train of thought mid-story.

• Don’t: Play music or other background noise. You’ll want your voice to come through crisp and clear on the final video.

• Do: Pick a comfortable spot, like the sofa or your favorite chair. Wherever you choose, make sure you’ll be comfortable there for a long period of time while you tell your stories.

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Recording yourself on video can be intimidating for a lot of people. After all, we’re often our own harshest critics when it comes to our photographs – imagine how it can feel watching all of your little body language tics and facial expressions in real time!

Just remember, when you tell your story with Immortalia, you’re preserving your legacy for future generations of your loved ones; people that want to see you exactly the way you are.

You won’t need makeup or fancy outfits to create a lasting impression. Just follow these simple tips to make sure you look your best on camera.

• Check Your Angles: Looking straight into the camera, or even slightly up, is best. Try to avoid holding the iPad in your lap and looking down.

• Check Your Distance: Position yourself a comfortable distance away from your device; just enough that your face fills the frame. Avoid being too close or too far away from the camera.

• Check Your Lighting: Soft, even lighting is the best ways to ensure you’ll look great on camera. Try to avoid directing a single source of light onto your face, which will wash out your features and cast harsh shadows.

• Check Your Smile: Don’t be afraid to emote! Smiling isn’t just about your mouth; it also brightens your eyes and changes your entire demeanor, helping you appear relaxed and comfortable on camera.

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The iPad is truly a revolutionary technology that gives us unprecedented power and mobility in one compact device. But let’s be honest; it’s not exactly built for lengthy handheld videos.

We want you to be able to focus on telling your story, not fumbling with your device or constantly taking breaks because your arms are tired!

Follow these simple tips to comfortably position your iPad for steady, high-quality videos.

• Buy a tripod or stand: Most electronics retailers carry a wide selection of tripods and stands for mobile devices, including iPads. Find one that secures to the base of your iPad and holds it in place for a hands-free video experience.

• Try a special case: Having a case for your iPad is crucial for protecting it from wear and tear as well as damage from falls or other impact. But did you know that many iPad cases actually double as stands or props? Try a folding iPad case to keep the camera aimed perfectly with no effort on your part.

• Prop it up: If you don’t have access to an iPad case or tripod, you can always prop it up against a stack of books on a table! This way, the iPad will remain steady during shooting. Make sure you’ve made the surface non-slip using a coarse tablecloth or by securing the iPad in the front with an additional weight.

For short video answers, feel free to handhold your iPad away from your face at arms length. Just don’t lock your elbows or hold this position for too long, or you may find your arms getting sore!

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Some people just have the gift, don’t they? They can capture an audience around the fireplace, the dinner table, or the barstool and spin tale after tale that surprise and delight the room.

Others of us aren’t so lucky. It’s not that we don’t have great stories to tell; it’s that we haven’t honed the oral storytelling skills needed to really bring down the house.

But that’s okay! Try these tips below to get the most out of the stories you tell with Immortalia.

• Paint the Scene: Creating a sense of “place” in your stories can really go a long way. Help us imagine the setting and the mood. For example, if you’re telling a story that took place at your childhood home, don’t just say you were in the house. What room were you in? What did that room look like? What were you feeling when the story began? Every good story needs a solid starting point.

• Don’t Leave Out the Details: Immortalia gives you the chance to capture everything your memory contains. Don’t spare us the details! Tell us what you ate, what it tasted like, how the sky looked, what your loved one was wearing, what the air smelled like, and how the sun reflected off the hood of your first car. These details may seem irrelevant to the big picture, but the best storytellers know that the minutiae are often the best part of any story.

• Create Mystery: Don’t leave out interesting details, but do think about how and when you reveal them. Audiences love mystery, suspense, and anticipation. Telling the story of your marriage? Tease the bit about how you got your wife to agree to go on a date with you and save it until the end. Did someone pull a prank on you as a child? Don’t tell us whom it was right away; walk us through your detective work as you sought the culprit! Leave us guessing. Leave us wanting more.

Did this answer your question? If not, Contact Us and we’ll be happy to help.