Videotape Preserves the Details of Home : Visual record of possessions takes the guesswork out of estimating losses. Narration adds to the picture.

Madelon Rowen remembers being 15 and struggling to recall everything that had been lost in her bedroom in the 1961 Bel-Air fire. When her parents were making their insurance claim, it was hard to remember just what she had owned.

With thick smoke in the air as the fires raged last fall, Rowen made a 1 1/2-hour item-by-item videotape of her Woodland Hills house. Her house was spared that disaster, but she was glad she had the video after she lost hundreds of dollars worth of china and art objects in the Northridge earthquake.

As a partner in Continental Video, a Woodland Hills production firm, Rowen encourages others to capture as much as possible on film, with detailed narration.

“The video reminds you of what you had, shows that it was together and in what kind of condition, and can be used to help you describe other details, such as your drapes, or your roof line, or landscaping,” she said.

While homeowners can take their own pictures or videos, some experts recommend hiring a professional video production firm because the quality of the photography--especially lighting and detail--is typically far better. Professionals usually charge about $100 an hour to film a home inventory tape; most homes will not require more than two hours.

Insurance companies suggest people take a complete home inventory, including detailed lists, photographs and, if possible, a well-narrated videotape.

“With a photograph or a videotape, there’s no guesswork involved. If something’s broken in a million pieces, it’s pretty hard to estimate its value without documentation,” said Mabel Yosifi, public affairs manager of State Farm Insurance in Westlake Village. A videotape is more effective than still photography because it can offer a more three-dimensional view and also provide narrative descriptions for each item, she said.

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Yosifi suggests people shoot as much as they can, including anything unique to their home, such as special tile work, expensive carpets, woodwork, staircase and architectural details.

Video experts also recommend including not just the furniture, appliances, china, jewelry, clothes, computers, framed photographs and art, but also the landscaping, pool and any other structures on the property. Special collections--such as figurines, records, old trains, stamps and coins--can be photographed close up, with detailed narration describing their age, characteristics and value.

Stephen Bigilen, owner of A-Stephens Video Production in Agoura Hills, said many of his clients opt for video inventories because the film shows the actual condition of the item, a factor that can be important in estimating its worth later. Bigilen urges clients to get at least two copies of the video, putting one in a safe-deposit box or in a relative’s home across town.

To prepare to have a home inventory video shot, experts suggest planning what must be included in the film and jotting down notes about particular items, or even writing a script. For some shots, it may be helpful to include the brand name or an engraved serial number, Rowen said.

Small items can be gathered to speed the filming. Jewelry can be laid out on one table, for example, or cupboard doors can be opened to show dishes, glassware and small appliances.

Ben Bercovici of B & B Video Productions in Encino suggests having a video production firm superimpose titles and serial number over the visuals of particular items. For those without a camcorder or the budget to hire a video firm, he recommends renting a video camera, which costs about $50 a day.

Bigilen warned that, as memories of the 6.6 quake fade, the risk of procrastination becomes greater.

“Everybody keeps putting off doing a home inventory until it’s too late,” he said. “My best advice: Just do it.”

Where and When What: Video production firms that make home inventories. Price: Varies, depending on time involved, but averages $100 to $400 a home. Call: A-Stephens Video Productions, (818) 703-0336; B & B Video Productions, (818) 705-5945; or Continental Video, (818) 705-0123.