Meet Elyse, our new Business Development Coordinator

Elyse has rejoined us as Business Development Coordinator for our Legacy Life Project division. We are excited to have her back on the Macbeth crew.

Backpacking in Joshua Tree, it's one of my favorite photos of myself because it makes me seem so interesting. Really I only did that twice, but it was amazing.

My path first crossed with Jim’s in 2016, when I interviewed to be a Studio Management Intern for his photography & videography business, Macbeth Studio. As if by kismet, I settled on the odd decision to include a sentimental recording I had made of my grandparents along with my application. Your typical business owner may have found this odd, irrelevant, a red-flag, even. But Jim said he enjoyed it, and expressed that he had a particular interest in the lives and stories of ordinary people, and the importance that people’s stories hold to those who love them. 

We worked together for several months, during which a tsunami of both wonderful and tragic paradigm shifting events occurred in rapid succession. We hosted our ten year anniversary party, we painstakingly moved offices, and we mourned a community tragedy that inspired us to dedicate ourselves to a successful fundraiser for The Zebra Coalition in support of LGBTQ+ youth.

Throughout it all, Jim never let go of the idea that there was value in honoring the people we love by capturing their voices, their stories, and the legacy they wish to leave behind. He brought our attention back to his idea over and over, and eventually he created the Legacy Life Project. Using his decades of experience in producing high quality videos, and his knack for capturing the essence of a person through the interview process, he began crafting documentary-style videos of average people, finding time and again that everyone has a story worth telling. 

I always felt supported in my passions when working with Jim, and after I completed my MBA at UCF and moved to California, we remained friends. When I moved back to Orlando, we decided to work together once more to continue to create these priceless heirloom memories. 

An instant-film camera photo with my grandfather.

A little over a month ago, I lost my grandfather. The small recording I included in my application is one of the most meaningful possessions in my life, and something I will cherish forever. I can share his voice, his laugh, and a glimpse into his personality with my mom, my nieces and nephews, and anyone else who may come along. The recording is short, audio-only, and poor quality, but I love it nonetheless. Anyone can record their loved one, and should! 

But what Jim creates with Legacy Life Project is something so artfully crafted with attention to detail and production quality, that I find myself tearing up watching the stories of people I don’t even know. There is so much beauty in seeing their eyes crinkle when they laugh, watching the faces they make when retelling the most exciting moments of their lives, and exploring the places that Jim navigates them toward in their conversation. When I see how grateful someone is to have something so meaningful, I feel like I get to be part of something really special. 

Since its inception, Legacy Life Project has expanded to include a range of videography services for businesses and families alike. But throughout our work, we maintain the essence and quality of Jim’s ability to distill character, personality, and the authenticity of every person he engages on film. I can’t wait to spread the word about what we do at Legacy Life Project through community events and initiatives, and share how you can rely on us to create something that your family can cherish for generations.

Jim Hobart1 Comment