How often have you thought, with a tinge of regret, “I wish I had interviewed my parents or grandparents while they were still alive.” It’s understandable. Our lives are busy. Their lives were busy. Maybe they seemed uninterested in talking…or maybe you forgot to ask. Maybe they told you their stories, but you never wrote them down. Maybe you’re thinking the same about yourself, “I have an interesting story. One day, I’d like to tell it.” That day could be today.

FILM SCROLLS are custom-produced, personally curated short documentary films that capture and preserve a person’s unique life story and legacy. They consist of sit-down interviews, archival photographs, shots of the person at home (B-roll), music, and the option of filmed scenes alone or with others (verite). These elements will be skillfully woven together to create a beautiful and compelling film.

By documenting your personal narrative, you create a priceless and enduring gift – a time capsule of your history and memory - in your own words. It provides friends and family with a deeper understanding and appreciation of who you are, where you come from, your dreams, hopes, sense of humor, and philosophy of life.

FILM SCROLLS are for those who want to document and share their story through film. Why film? Film is a powerful, compelling, and accessible form of visual storytelling. It captures a person’s spirit, inner life, and character in ways that other art forms don’t. It paints a portrait of a living, breathing human being – how they move in the world, sound, think, laugh, smile… even sneeze!

FILM SCROLLS will be directed and produced by Emmy-award-winning documentary filmmaker Pamela Tom and her team of collaborators.

Director’s Statement: From the first day I picked up a movie camera, I’ve been drawn to creating character-driven stories that capture a person’s unique experiences and challenges. From my first film - a portrait of a 16-year-old Chinatown teenage girl - to the pioneering Chinese American artist Tyrus Wong or Hollywood icon, Sidney Poitier - they all have a common thread: finding the humanity, resilience, and beauty in an individual’s life.

FILM SCROLLS allow me to apply decades of experience to create personal portraits and make quality documentaries accessible to more families. One of the most essential skills of a documentary filmmaker is the ability to earn the trust of the person they are filming. This means respecting them and their lived experiences, being excellent listeners, honoring their boundaries, being culturally sensitive, and having the communication and interpersonal skills necessary to elicit stories. I work with people who share these same values and ethos. They bring a high level of professionalism and awareness to the “set” and in the edit room.