Some videos aren't made to promote anything; they're made to keep. A father's eightieth birthday, three generations of a family, a wedding that happens once, the journey the whole family took together. The material is usually scattered: faded prints, old tapes, phone clips, perhaps interviews filmed for the purpose. Chipscat Studio sorts, restores and edits it into a film with a shape and a feeling. We don't film; anything new can be recorded by the family or a videographer you hire, then handed to us for post-production.
Common private commissions
Family documentaries and life stories
An elder's own account, woven with old photos, home video and family memories, made to be passed down. See making a family documentary.
Personal brand films
Introductions for doctors, lawyers, consultants, speakers and business owners, for websites, talks, social media and proposals. See personal brand videos.
Milestone birthdays and anniversaries
Life-story films for seventieth and eightieth birthdays, anniversaries and retirements. See milestone birthday banquet videos and birthday surprise videos.
Weddings
Family travel
See travel video editing.
Memorials
See preparing a memorial video and pet memorial videos.
Preparing material
- Old photos: scan them, or photograph them from directly above in daylight. Damaged or faded photos can be assessed for restoration through our repair site.
- Tapes and discs: digitise them first; poor-quality old footage can be assessed too.
- Interviews: a phone or camera on a tripod, a quiet room, the speaker facing a window; see recording clear audio without a microphone.
- Phone, camera and drone footage: send originals through the cloud; see how to send large video files.
Where the care goes
- Story structure: deciding what the film should leave people with, then choosing material.
- Interview editing that keeps the speaker's voice and pauses, with subtitles for Taiwanese or Hakka.
- Picture quality: footage from different decades brought to one look, photos with slow, layered movement.
- Sound: clear voices, music that never talks over them.
- Versions: a short cut for the banquet, a full version for the family archive.
Process and pricing
- Fill in the request form or message us on LINE with the purpose, occasion and date, and what material you have.
- Assessment and quote: we reply within 48 hours to tell you whether we can take it on; if we can, we write up a quote so you can decide whether to go ahead.
- Sorting, editing and first cut, with one round of minor adjustments included, within the scope set out in the quote.
- Delivery.
Quotes depend on the volume and condition of material (including any restoration), length, interviews and subtitles, and the number of versions. With a fixed date, tell us early.
Examples
Wedding videosGrowth videosMemorial videosTravel videos
Fill in the request form.
We reply within 48 hours.
It takes about a minute: what the video is for, how long, the deadline and what footage you have. The form is in Chinese; if you prefer English, email us or message us on LINE. Within 48 hours we'll tell you whether we can help, and if we can, we'll send you a quote.
Frequently asked questions
We only have a box of old photos and some tapes. Is that enough for a family documentary?
Usually, once digitised and combined with recorded memories from family members. How far it can go depends on the material.
Can you come and record the interviews?
We don't offer filming; we specialise in editing, post-production and AI video. Family members can record on a phone or camera, or you can hire a videographer and send us the original files.
The film will play at a banquet. What should we check?
Ask the venue about screen ratio, playback equipment and file format, and test in advance; see playing a video at the venue.
