AI-Powered Stories That Last Forever!

November 20, 2025•3 min read

R. Kenner French interviews Chance McClain, founder of Heritage Films, a company based in Houston that creates documentary-style films for families and founders. Chance shares how he enters projects with no expectations because people’s lives are always far more complex than they appear “on paper.” He illustrates this with a story about a seemingly ordinary grandfather who, in the late 1960s and early 1980s, secretly ran a major drug operation before turning his life around and building a successful structural steel business. That experience taught Chance never to assume anything before hearing someone’s full story.

Chance explains how Heritage Films has grown over ten years from a passion project into a serious, thriving business. Beginning with a background in radio, sports radio, and creative filmmaking, he slowly discovered the emotional power of capturing real stories for families. What started as a Houston-based operation expanded nationwide and globally as clients hired him to film parents or grandparents living in other states or countries. He and his team have now produced around 800 films, many deeply emotional—filled with humor, hardship, and pride in genuine “rags to riches” journeys.

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He shares memorable projects, including a large multigenerational film for a retired dentist’s family. In another example, he travels to upstate New York expecting a historic, picturesque family bar only to find a rundown building. But once he hears the stories of generations of shift workers connecting there, he realizes the true value is in the community and history—not the appearance. These experiences reinforce Chance’s belief that meaningful storytelling comes from listening, not assumptions.

Chance also discusses how he incorporates AI into his filmmaking. During pre-production, families send large volumes of documents and notes, which he processes through tools like Notebook LM or Claude to build a detailed “producer guide.” In post-production, he uses tools such as 11Labs to enhance clarity or provide missing context by recreating a subject’s voice. Kenner notes that these innovations may qualify for R&D tax credits—a key theme of VastSolutionsGroup’s focus on AI and entrepreneurial tax strategy.

Toward the end, Chance reflects on how obsessing over quality transformed his business—both in client experience and the final product. He wants filming day to feel fun, special, and cinematic, and he ensures the finished film is something families value for generations. He ends with a powerful story about an elderly man who confesses on camera to a 25-year affair he had never told his family about. Later, the man’s son reveals the family already knew and had forgiven him. For Chance, moments like this show that his work doesn’t just record history—it helps families process truth, healing, legacy, and connection.

Takeaways

• Investing in real estate is straightforward and effective.

• Eight out of ten millionaires made their wealth in real estate.

• Filmmaking allows for deep personal connections with subjects.

• Every film has intimate moments that may not make the final cut.

• The importance of sharing personal stories and legacies.

• Clients often seek to honor their loved ones through film.

• Forgiveness can be a crucial part of personal stories.

• Understanding family dynamics is key in filmmaking.

• Real estate offers a common recipe for success.

• Entrepreneurship often stems from a desire to create something unique.

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