LIFE STORIES

we record long-form interviews with people who have stories to tell and create a production friends and family can enjoy for years to come.

Pictured at the mic: Bob Griffith

Studio C’s Andy Miles has a passion for interviewing people and recording their stories. A history major at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, former production assistant on the Wisconsin Public Television series “Wisconsin Stories” and “Wisconsin’s World War II Stories,” an intern on WTTW-Chicago’s “Chicago Stories,” author of numerous published articles on 20th century history and culture, co-author and editor of Perspectives in Black and White: A Concise History of Evanston’s Struggle to Rid Itself of Segregation and Racism, and host of the forthcoming podcast series “Resistance, Resilience and Hope: Holocaust Survivor Stories,” Andy’s grasp of and passion for history is considerable, and he loves talking to people who have lived it and made some of their own! His resume also features several stints in network and local radio (his first love), and he currently owns and operates Studio C, where he records numerous ongoing podcasts for clients; produces transcripts for the PBS series “Washington Week,” foreign policy think tanks, and others (and formerly owned a small transcript production company for six years); handles various graphic design and website design projects; edits manuscripts and lays out books; and more.

Life Stories “interviewees” have the choice of coming to record their story at Studio C’s wood grain ping pong table (see photo above) or having Andy come to their home (for an additional $30). In either case, Andy is fully vaccinated and will have a recent negative COVID test in hand and a mask on his face. Zoom interviews are also an option.

“My father loved the whole experience (including the intimate Studio C on Central Street where he and Andy conversed) and we are all super thrilled with the end result. Andy deftly facilitated my father’s own unique way of recalling stuff, guided him through a variety of personal and career-based events with ease, and posed intriguing questions submitted by each of the grandkids. We love the fact that my dear father’s voice, laughter, musings, emotions, memories, points of pride and advice are now captured in an easy-to-access link, audio file, and transcript which we will treasure for years to come. Highly recommended for anyone hoping to create a lasting (and affordable!) collection of current thoughts and special memories, spoken by that someone you love.”
— Leslie Murphy of Evanston

What you’ll get

  • a fully edited audio interview

  • a web page that has the uploaded audio, a banner (designed by Studio C) and any images that are provided

For additional cost, we will provide a verbatim transcript of the conversation (see pricing below). We can also videotape the conversation and make a video version or produce a video version that includes the audio and a series of still images. Finally, there is a book option that includes the interview transcript, images, and a CD copy of the interview; that’s on top of the fully edited audio interview and web page noted above. (Please ask about pricing for this option). Burned CD copies without a book are also available for a small charge (based on number produced). Andy can also scan your photos for inclusion on the website and (optional) video.

What you’ll pay

For every one hour of audio recorded, the cost is $180; with video, that cost comes to $220 (adding $40 per recorded hour). If you’d like to add a transcript (which we recommend), the total cost comes to $260 per one hour of audio recorded (adding $80 per recorded hour; the total with video included would be $300).

What the price covers is pre-interview research and prep (including, in some cases, a pre-interview conversation with the interviewee), the interview recording itself, audio editing, video editing (if applicable), transcript (if applicable), and web page production.

So, for example, a 90-minute interview would cost $270 without a transcript and $390 with a transcript; if video is included, the cost would be $330 without a transcript, $450 with a transcript). A two-hour interview comes to $360 without a transcript, $520 with a transcript; if video is added, the cost would be $440 without a transcript, $600 with a transcript. (Please note: Interview length refers to the raw audio recording, not the final edited audio product.)

Please reach out toAndy Miles at studio.c.chicago@gmail.com if you’d like further information.