No-cost legacy films
I’m offering this service at no-cost for a limited time…please read below for details.
Meaning and legacy are two of the most important elements preceding the time a person will start actively dying.
— Henry Fersko-Weiss
I’ve always been fascinated by humanity, life, and meaning. I believe that by exploring and considering our death we can live a more fulfilling life. This led me to complete an End of Life Doula training course at Douglas College this summer.
As a part of my exploration, I am looking to merge this interest with my passion for filmmaking. The next step in my journey is to explore what it means to make legacy films for people with a terminal illness. I’m offering meaningful life review and legacy film creation at no-cost for the first few people who work with me.
What is a legacy film?
A legacy film is a kind of legacy project. Legacy projects can be anything like a scroll, recipe book, photo album, quilt, or film.
Legacy projects are created in response to meaningful life review. They capture and express an important piece of a person’s life, and the process can help someone make peace with dying. It also gives the bereaved a way to hold on to the person after they die.
A legacy film often takes the form of a documentary—an interview with the dying person as they recount their life and what gave it meaning according to them. It may include recounting of lessons learned, precious moments, jokes, light-hearted memories and photographs…anything that is fitting. Legacy films don’t have to take the form of a documentary: it could be a video of someone doing what they love, like making recipes for their family to remember them by, or personal messages for family and friends.
How is a legacy film different from the other kinds of videos you make?
A legacy film is process-oriented. It’s about reflecting on one’s life, meaning, and legacy. To engage in a legacy film with me is to engage in a process of self-discovery. I will help to translate your wishes and vision to the medium of film. I will not direct the process, but rather come along for the ride as a compassionate listener, companion, and creative collaborator.
Because of the nature of a legacy film, there will be no set timeframe for the project and all considerations to make the person comfortable during the reflection, creation, and filming process will be made.
Am I a good candidate for a legacy film?
Because I am offering this service at no-cost at this time, I am looking for someone who fits the following requirements:
Is drawn to the medium of film for their legacy project and is committed to the process (of course, if anything doesn’t feel right during the process there is no need to continue, but candidates should feel excited and ready to make a legacy film with the intention of completing the project)
Is well enough to engage in the process of a meaningful life review and the legacy film project
Has a terminal/life-limiting diagnosis
Can provide or their family/close people can provide a reference letter and testimonial after the project
Is open to me sharing the project or a portion of the project on my website and marketing channels to demonstrate the service being offered
Is located in the Vancouver lower mainland area
If you’d like to submit yourself or your family member for this service, please contact me at rheanna@rheannatoy.com, and we will set up a phone call to discuss and see if we are a good fit.
What is a Death or End of Life doula?
End of Life / Death Doulas provide non-medical support to people before, during, and after death such as facilitating discussion, companioning, advanced care planning, helping to explore meaning and legacy, creating meaningful rituals, and sharing resources. The support they provide is unique to each person and depends on their desires, beliefs, and needs. End of Life Doulas can provide support not only to the terminally ill but also to anyone who wants to plan for the future or to the bereaved. Although the dying process is never easy, the goal of the Doula is to reduce suffering at end-of-life and advocate for the dying person's wishes.
Or email rheanna@rheannatoy.com