2.) Getting started on your oral history project

Summary

In this educational podcast, hosts Becca, Joe, Jenni, and Monica guide listeners through the essential steps of preparing for an oral history project. They emphasize understanding the oral history process, defining the project's purpose, selecting interviewees, conducting preliminary research, and mastering recording equipment. The hosts discuss the importance of knowing one's role as an interviewer and the significance of high-quality recordings for future research. They also touch on the advantages of interviewing both known individuals and strangers, and the practical aspects of using equipment like lavaliers for better audio capture.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Learn about the oral history process to understand its significance beyond a simple interview.
• 🎯 Determine the purpose of the oral history project to guide the focus and choice of interviewees.
• 👤 Establish who you will interview, considering the advantages of interviewing known individuals versus strangers.
• 📚 Do general study on the topic or time period to prepare questions and understand the context better.
• 🎥 Find and learn to use the right recording equipment to ensure high-quality audio or video recordings.
• 🤝 Consider the comfort level and potential biases when interviewing family members or friends.
• 🗣️ Communicate clearly with potential interviewees about the project's purpose and time commitment.
• 🏫 For class projects, work with teachers to understand potentially sensitive content and prepare accordingly.
• 📘 Independently research the topic to gain general knowledge, which aids in focusing the interview.
• 🔍 Practice using the recording equipment beforehand to avoid technical issues during the interview.
• 👂 Always test the recorder and sound levels before starting the interview to capture clear audio.

Q & A

What are the five important things to prepare for an oral history project?

The five important things to prepare for an oral history project are: learning about the oral history process, determining the purpose of the project, establishing who you will interview, doing general study on the topic or time period of the project, and finding and learning how to use the right recording equipment.

Why is it important to understand the oral history process before starting a project?

Understanding the oral history process is important to know what makes oral history more than just an interview, to define your role as an interviewer, and to prepare for the steps needed to prepare for, conduct, and process information after the interview.

How does one determine the purpose of their oral history project?

To determine the purpose of an oral history project, one should consider whether they are creating genealogical records, interviewing someone with first-hand accounts of a historical event, or learning about local history with few written records. Additionally, one should think about the final use of the oral history, such as creating a documentary or donating it to a historical society.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of interviewing someone you know versus someone you've never met before?

Interviewing someone you know can make the conversation easier and more comfortable from the start, but they may assume you already know certain things and not provide as much detail. Interviewing someone you've never met can provide new perspectives and detailed stories, but it might be more challenging to establish rapport and keep the dialogue flowing.

How should one approach a potential interviewee and what should they disclose?

When approaching a potential interviewee, one should be upfront about the time commitment and their intentions for the recorded material. It's important to ask if they are willing to participate and to clarify what will be done with the video or audio footage.

What is the significance of studying the topic or time period of the oral history project?

Studying the topic or time period is significant as it helps to narrow the focus for the interview, prepare relevant questions, and understand the context in which the interviewee's experiences occurred, which can lead to a more meaningful and informed conversation.

Why is it crucial to learn how to use recording equipment before conducting an interview?

Learning how to use recording equipment before an interview is crucial to ensure the quality of the final audio or video, to avoid wasting time during the interview, and to prevent technical issues that could compromise the recording quality or content.

What are some tips for choosing and using recording equipment for an oral history project?

Tips for choosing and using recording equipment include using the best quality equipment available, such as lavaliers or stand-alone microphones, directing the microphone at the narrator to eliminate background noise, borrowing equipment if necessary, and practicing with the equipment before the interview to ensure familiarity and proper setup.

How can one ensure the quality of their recording during an oral history interview?

To ensure the quality of the recording, one should use high-quality equipment, test the recorder and sound levels before starting, and ensure the microphone is directed at the narrator. Additionally, one should be aware of any distracting noises in the room and consider the environment for optimal recording conditions.

What will be discussed in the next podcast according to the script?

The next podcast will discuss preparing for the interview and doing individual research.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 Introduction to Oral History Project

The script introduces the hosts Becca, Joe, Jenni, and Monica who are discussing the steps to prepare for an oral history project. They emphasize five key points: understanding the oral history process, determining the project's purpose, identifying interviewees, conducting general research on the topic, and learning to use recording equipment. Jenni explains that oral history is more than an interview and involves understanding the role of the interviewer and the steps to prepare, conduct, and process the interview. The hosts suggest watching a series of podcasts and doing additional reading to gain a deeper understanding.

05:01

🎯 Determining the Purpose of the Project

Monica and Becca discuss the importance of defining the purpose of the oral history project before proceeding. This clarity helps in focusing the project and choosing the right interviewees. The purpose could range from creating genealogical records to documenting historical events or local history. They also consider the final use of the oral history, such as creating a documentary or donating it to a historical society. Once the purpose is clear, the next step is to select the interviewee.

👤 Identifying the Interviewee

Jenni and Monica talk about the process of identifying the person to be interviewed for the project. They highlight the advantages and disadvantages of interviewing someone known versus someone new. Family and friends might be more comfortable, but they may not provide as much detail. Contacting the potential interviewee and discussing the project's scope and intentions is crucial. They also mention the importance of being upfront about the time commitment and the use of the recorded material.

📚 Researching the Topic

Becca and Joe discuss the importance of researching the topic or time period of the oral history project. For class projects, teachers should guide students in asking relevant questions and preparing them for potentially difficult interview content. For independent projects, individuals should familiarize themselves with the topic to narrow the focus for the interview. This general knowledge aids in conducting a more informed and targeted interview.

🎙️ Preparing Recording Equipment

Jenni, Monica, and Joe provide advice on preparing and using recording equipment for the interview. They suggest using high-quality equipment like lavalier microphones and emphasize the importance of directing the microphone towards the narrator to minimize background noise. Borrowing equipment from local resources is also an option. Practicing with the equipment before the interview and testing the recorder and sound levels are crucial to ensure a high-quality recording that can be used for various purposes and preserves the oral history for future research.

👋 Conclusion and Upcoming Discussion

The hosts bid farewell to the audience, indicating the end of the current discussion. They also mention that the next podcast will focus on preparing for the interview and conducting individual research, suggesting a continuation of the series to delve deeper into the oral history project process.

Keywords

💡Oral History

Oral history refers to the practice of recording personal accounts of historical events or experiences through interviews. In the context of the video, it is the primary method used to collect and preserve stories that may not be documented elsewhere. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding what makes oral history more than just an interview, including the role of the interviewer and the steps involved in preparing for, conducting, and processing the information after the interview.

💡Interviewer

The interviewer in an oral history project is the person who conducts the interview. The video discusses the importance of the interviewer's role, which includes preparing for the interview, conducting it, and processing the information afterward. The script mentions that understanding one's role is crucial for the success of the project, as it influences how the interview is approached and the quality of the information gathered.

💡Purpose

The purpose of an oral history project is the intended goal or objective that guides the direction and focus of the interviews. The video script highlights the necessity of determining the purpose before starting the project, as it affects who to interview and what questions to ask. Examples given include creating genealogical records, gathering first-hand accounts of historical events, or learning about local history.

💡Narrator

A narrator in the context of oral history is the person being interviewed, who shares their personal stories and experiences. The video mentions that teachers should be aware of potentially difficult content for narrators and prepare students accordingly. The quality of the narration is crucial as it directly contributes to the richness of the oral history.

💡Genealogical Records

Genealogical records are documents or records that detail the lineage and history of a family. In the video, one of the suggested purposes for an oral history project is to create such records. This involves interviewing family members to gather information about ancestry, which can be valuable for future generations and historical research.

💡Historical Event

A historical event is a significant occurrence that has taken place in the past and has had an impact on the course of history. The video script suggests that one might conduct an oral history project to gather first-hand accounts of such events, which can provide unique insights and perspectives not found in written records.

💡Local History

Local history refers to the study of the history of a specific region or community. The video mentions that one might conduct an oral history project to learn more about local history, especially in areas where there are few written records. This can help to preserve the stories and experiences of a community that might otherwise be lost.

💡Documentation

Documentation in the context of an oral history project refers to the process of recording and preserving the information gathered during interviews. The video emphasizes the importance of high-quality recording to maximize the life of the oral history for future researchers. This includes using good equipment, learning how to operate it, and testing it before the interview.

💡Lavalier Microphone

A lavalier microphone is a small, clip-on microphone that can be attached to the clothing of the person being interviewed. The video script mentions lavaliers as an example of affordable, high-quality recording equipment that can help eliminate background noise and capture the narrator's voice clearly.

💡Recording Equipment

Recording equipment refers to the devices used to capture audio or video during an interview. The video script discusses the importance of using the best quality recording equipment available and learning how to operate it properly. Examples include lavalier microphones, stand-alone microphones, and potentially borrowing equipment from local resources.

💡Practice

Practice, in the context of the video, refers to the act of rehearsing or familiarizing oneself with the recording equipment before the actual interview. The video emphasizes that practicing with the equipment is crucial to avoid wasting time during the interview and to ensure that the recording is of high quality.

Highlights

Introduction to the importance of oral history projects.

Five key steps to prepare for an oral history project.

Understanding the oral history process is crucial.

Determining the purpose of the oral history project is essential for focus.

Establishing who to interview is a critical step in the project.

The necessity of general study on the topic or time period of the project.

Learning how to use the right recording equipment is vital for quality.

Oral history is more than just an interview; it's a process.

The role of the interviewer and steps to prepare for the interview.

Consideration of the final destination for the oral history information.

Identifying the advantages and disadvantages of interviewing family or strangers.

Contacting and securing participation from the interviewee.

The importance of studying the topic or time period with a teacher for class projects.

Becoming familiar with the topic for independent projects through reading.

The impact of recording quality on the options for using the footage.

Using high-quality recording equipment like lavaliers for better audio.

Practicing with recording equipment before the interview to avoid technical issues.

Testing the recorder and sound levels before starting the interview.

A preview of the next podcast focusing on interview preparation and individual research.

Transcripts

[Music] [Becca] Hi, I'm Becca.

[Joe] And I'm Joe.

[Jenni] I'm Jenni.

[Monica] And I'm Monica.

And we're here to you about getting started on your oral history project.

[Becca] There are five important things that you need to do to prepare

for doing an oral history project.

[Joe] Learn about the oral history process.

[Jenni] Determine the purpose of your oral history project.

[Monica] Establish who you will interview.

[Becca] Do some general study on the topic or time period of your project.

[Joe] And finally, find and learn how to use the right recording equipment.

[Music] [Jenni] It's important that you

understand what oral history is before you embark on this project.

What is it that makes oral history more than just an interview?

You will need to know what your role will be as the interviewer,

and what steps you will need to take to prepare for the interview,

conduct the interview, and process the information after the interview.

Watching this series of podcasts will walk you through the basics of the

oral history process, but you may also want to do additional reading.

[Music] [Monica] Determine the Purpose

of your Oral History Project.

It is difficult to have any sort of focus for your project, or to

determine who you should interview, until you know exactly what the

purpose of your interview is.

Are you interviewing family members to create genealogical records?

Do you intend to interview someone who has first-hand accounts

of a certain historical event?

Are you trying to learn as much as you can about local history, for

which there are few written records?

[Becca] You also need to consider how you intend to use this oral history.

What will be the final destination for this information?

Are you going to create a documentary?

Will this person’s story be compiled with

other stories and donated to the county historical society?

[Joe] Once you decide on a specific purpose, then you can

move on to the next step of choosing who you will interview.

[Music] [Jenni] You will need to identify

who you will be focusing on for your oral history project.

Are you going to interview someone you know?

Or someone who you have never met before?

There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

Family members and friends are usually more comfortable with one

another from the very beginning, so it's sometimes easier to keep

the dialogue going between the two.

However, family members or friends may also assume that you already

know about certain things, so they may not tell stories with

the same level of detail.

[Monica] Contact the person who you would like to interview, and ask if

they would be willing to participate.

Be up-front about the time commitment and what your intentions are for

the video or audio footage that you record in the interview.

[Music] [Becca] If you are doing this as

part of a class project, you will first begin by spending some time

studying the topic or time period together with your teacher.

[Teacher] So what questions would you have to ask a narrator for the 1930s.

[Becca] Teachers should be aware of the interview content that might be

difficult for narrators to discuss, and prepare students for this.

[Joe] If you are doing this project independently, take some time

to read about the topic and become more familiar with it.

Once you have some general knowledge about the topic, it will be easier to

narrow the focus for your interview.

[Music] [Jenni] Many people are intimidated

by the equipment needed to record an interview, but there are a few simple

things that you can do that will make a huge difference in the quality

of your final audio or video tape.

The better your recording, the more options you have for what

you can do with the footage.

In addition, a high-quality recording maximizes the life of the

oral history for future researchers.

[Monica] First, use the best quality recording equipment that you can find.

You can find lavaliers, the clip-on microphones, or even a stand-alone

microphone, for less than $100.

[Girl] I'm going to put this lavalier mic on you, is that okay?

[Monica] Having a microphone directed at the narrator will help eliminate

any distracting noises in the room.

It also may be possible to borrow equipment from a local TV or radio

station, historical society, or school.

[Becca] Second, learn how to run your equipment and practice

using the equipment before the day of your interview.

When you arrive at the interview site, you do not want to waste

valuable time trying to figure out how to run the camera or voice recorder.

[Joe] In addition, you should always test your recorder and sound level

before you begin the interview.

There's nothing worse than starting the camera rolling and doing a full

interview, only to find out that the volume was set too low and

you can hardly hear anything.

[Music] [Jenni] In our next podcast we'll

talk to you about preparing for the interview and doing individual research.

[All] Goodbye!