Still researching? And it’s going sloooooooowly?

Your next project is about to start.

A biopic, a biography, a film, script or book.

You should have started your research AGES ago… 

But now you’re going round in circles on Google. 

You can’t find anything. 

Or you find WAY too much. 

Then you find yourself watching outdated documentaries on YouTube. Again.

You need to research this person’s life, this setting, this era.

You’ve done it before, sure. 

But back then you didn’t have to juggle 3 different projects in an INSANELY short timeframe.

All while promoting another project from 1,5 years ago…  

You needed this yesterday. Get it by Friday. 

 

Get your materials in less than 1 week.

Many of your problems can be solved in a focused Two-Day Research Intensive. Barbara’s process combines historical research with character development, psychology and the creation of an authentic backstory. 

Once, the children of a prisoner of war could not be found. We found them in less than 27 minutes… so they could be interviewed on TV.

Let’s speed up your research, too. The first step? 

Tell us about your time and setting.

All information will be kept strictly confidential.

For this short-term, focused, last-minute research, we reserve only 3–4 slots per month.

Book your Two-Day Intensive à 1.990 Euros here.

Need more in-depth research support? Contact us about longer collaborations which start at 10K. Waiting list currently active.

 

Dear Dr B — thank you so much. I’ve just finished going through the material and I’m absolutely amazed. I had already realised that in terms of research what I can do and what you do are two different things. But now I see that they’re worlds apart. Incredible.

Isabel, author with Rowohlt Publishing House, Germany

How it works: CHOOSE ONE

1. Your Research Strategy

Tell us about the time period, setting or character you want to portray. (We will keep this confidential.) You will get a detailed plan of what to research (and what to leave out for now).

or 2. Get to know your setting.

Tell us where your protagonist lived. We will send you pictures, maps, descriptions of the interiors and, if possible, photos and early film footage of the location.

or 3. Get to know your main character.

Get a first glimpse of material about the period and the people who lived in it… the way they were dressed, where they lived and what a typical day was like. (And the etiquette of the time! What was ›normal‹ and ›expected‹ back then? How could you cause a ruckus?)

When should I book?

We help creatives speed up the early stages of delving into a new topic. The two-day intensive is ideal…

☑️ when you’re preparing a new role

☑️ when you start writing a script/manuscript

☑️ or when you want to start creating the backstory or character development.

Who is this for?

We conduct research for actors and scriptwriters, as well as directors, producers, make-up artists and costume designers. On the publishing side, we work with literary agencies and authors.

Book your Two-Day Intensive à 1.990 Euros here.

LET’S SAVE YOU SOME TIME

What do I get?

You receive a Strategy paper with a detailed research plan for option 1.

For options 2 and 3, you will receive a well-organised material dossier, with background information about your time, place or person from the past. Working through these will make it easier for you to recreate this world from the past. We’ll also include a video walkthrough. In this video we’ll explain the most important aspects. We’ll also point out possible pitfalls, so that you can avoid them.

What historical resources can I expect?

It varies. Depending on the time period and topic, we may find and include the following sources. To make them easy to understand, all sources are annotated and explained. Questions? Contact us here.

How much can I find in two days? A lot! By design, these days are extremely focused. No phone calls, no emails, no other client requests… just me and your questions. My hyperfocus will soon kick in, and I’ll be delving into a long forgotten world — searching for the real voices of the people who lived back then. All materials will be double-checked for plausibility and sorted with German thoroughness.

Dr. Barbara, historian

What’s the process?

1. Click the button ☝️ to book a pre-research video call.
2. For this service, choose your date of the call. The two following days, we will conduct research for you.
3. Send your payment.
4. We meet for an online call (up to 1 hour). Let’s talk about what would be most useful for you to know, so that you can start preparing this role, film or script. This will ensure that we know exactly what you need before the 2-day research begins.
5. On Research Day 1, historian Dr. Barbara will search through hundreds of historical sources on your topic.
6. On Research Day 2, she continues her research. She will then create a well-organised dossier on a private digital portal. She will also film a video walkthrough for you.
7. Up to 7 days after completion: Email us your questions about the material you’ve received.
8. Now it’s your turn. Work through the materials. You can always book follow-up sessions to explore your topics in more depth. We’re here to help.

 

But what if I have more questions?

When booking the Two-Day Intensive, you hire us for 2 x 8 hours of focused, intensive research. You’ll get everything we research during that time. If you have additional questions that need to be researched, this is not included in the price. You can book a half-day follow-up session up to 4 weeks after the delivery date for 500 Euros.

What if something in the dossier is unclear?

If you have any questions concerning the material we’ve delivered, you’re welcome to email us up to 1 week after the delivery date.

While you’re researching: Do I have to be online all day?

No. During the two-day Research Intensive, you don’t need be online all the time. It’s done-for-you, so let us do the work. However, check your email from time to time during the two days: If we need to follow up for clarification, we’ll contact you by email.

How do I get my info?

Your materials are delivered online through a private, secure client portal.

What is this not?

We’re not fact-checkers to be brought in at the very last minute. We also don’t travel to film sets to work as historical advisors. Our founder, Dr. Barbara, works best when you bring her in at the beginning of a new project. With a research collaboration, we can save you a lot of time while improving the quality of your work.

Ideal for first-time clients

Learn how I work before committing to a longer collaboration. This 2-day service is an ideal first step for both of us. Find out how I combine my historical expertise with a deep, intuitive feel for developing character, pacing, conflict and storytelling.

Dr. Barbara, historian