Some Lives Are Just Stranger Than Fiction: Why the Extended Cut Package Might Be Right for You

At Your Own Story, we believe every life is worth celebrating — and some lives are so rich, so full of twists and turns, that they simply can’t be told in an hour. That’s where our Extended Cut package comes in.

If you’ve ever heard someone say, “You couldn’t make this up,” then you may live the kind of life I’m talking about. The kind of life that’s layered with chapters, locations, new starts, stories that extra time to recant all the details. The Extended Cut is designed for people whose lives are stranger, deeper, or more remarkable than fiction. People who’ve worn many hats, crossed many miles, or lived through eras of incredible change. People who’ve loved and lost, started over, reinvented themselves more than once. People who need more than an hour or two to do their story justice. Because your story deserves to be told fully — not rushed.

The Extended Cut is our most in-depth, comprehensive package. It gives you and your family a longer final film, crafted with the same cinematic care and editorial polish we bring to all our work, but with more space to include the richness of your story. With double the interview time, we’re able to dive deeper into the details that make your life yours. We can explore the chapters of your story that might otherwise go untold. We can take our time. Pause. Reflect. Linger on the moments that really matter. Everyone should get their “15 minutes,” but maybe your life needs more, so the Extended Cut meets your story where it is.

For many families, our work becomes an heirloom — not just a highlight reel, but a vivid, meaningful record of who you are. If you’ve led an extraordinary life, or even just a full one, you may find that you can’t tell it all in one hour. This package gives you permission to slow down, to go deep, and to tell it all. Some lives are big, bold, and messy in all the best ways. Some lives defy easy explanation. And that’s a beautiful thing.

The Extended Cut is perfect for families who want to preserve a more complete family history, with additional details and anecdotes. It’s ideal for individuals who’ve lived through particularly eventful or historical moments, or for people who feel their story has too many layers for a standard video. And it’s perfect for anyone who simply wants the space to share everything that matters to them, in their own words and at their own pace.

We’ve met people whose stories read like novels — stories of survival, serendipity, great love, quiet heroism, and incredible resilience. Stories that deserve to be shared exactly as they happened, with nothing left on the cutting room floor. If that sounds like you, or someone you love, the Extended Cut may be the perfect way to honor that legacy.

At Your Own Story, we know some lives just need more time. And we’re here to make sure your story gets all the time it deserves.