Sergio's Message

Sergio Rothstein, PhD, Psychology

I would like to introduce you to Memories On Video with a personal story of my own.

I am a clinical psychologist who retired from psychotherapy practice to travel and pursue other work, but I soon missed the personal contact and privilege of talking with people about their lives. One day, on a trip to Buenos Aires, I interviewed a family friend who wanted his incredible story of survival recorded for his grandchildren. He knew I had done oral history interviews of holocaust survivors for Yad Vashem Museum-Yale University, for what is now called the Spielberg Project. A few weeks later my carpenter—hearing that I did personal oral histories—asked if I would interview him and record his story. He wanted to explain his years as a street urchin in Paraguay to his children and he had tried unsuccessfully to write his story down. Both men were grateful for the experience and the videotapes they made for their loved ones, but I owed them thanks as well. I treasured the experience and realized that I had found a new passion.

The urge to tell one’s unique story exists in all cultures. Chances are you’ve heard someone say, “I pleaded with my mother to tape record the story of her childhood” or “He’s been with the company from the beginning. We should record him talking about how it grew.” But for many, it is not easy to get started and even harder to complete.

Memories On Video is our alternative. We are committed to helping you create an in-depth, personal video memoir that captures you telling your story the way you want it to be told. Our experienced interviewers will work with you before, during and after production to make sure that your preferences are our highest priority. The caliber of our recording equipment and professional cinematographers will assure you a high quality document.

It is possible to have your story told on a documentary film that costs tens of thousands of dollars. It is also possible to just sit and talk off the cuff with someone videoing you. What we specialize in is between those two options. We focus on bringing you fully alive in a simple, direct way, and doing it very professionally.

I invite you to call us. If you choose to tell your story with us, or encourage someone you know to do that, I promise we will do all we can to make it a positive, fulfilling and honest experience.

Sergio Rothstein, Ph.D., President