Ref: MAT2_E01 |
Part E: Technical – Interview Process |
as
part of MA Hist Project: |
Parallel Lives |
E. Technical – Interview Process :
Progression from Stories to Active Interviews
Below is a simple chart of the steps followed for this Project. I began with discussing possible interviews with Wanda and Jack during which they started sharing their often told stories. As specific interview times were scheduled the process moved to an interviewer/interviewee relationship where new material is covered. For some steps used for transferring “voices " between video, audio and transcripts see Part M. |
Table
of Contents |
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Item Number sort |
Elec. Doc Number |
Short Title |
Description note |
Master elec directory |
E |
|
Technical - Process of MA
Thesis project. |
Interviewer and Interviewee participation |
Heading |
E.1 |
|
Preliminary meetings to
discuss with Wanda and Jack Keefe the Idea of interviews |
There were a few discussions that touched on interview
process and Jack’s or Wanda’s request to get some of the stories written down.
Some consideration that apart might eventually be section of a family book that had been proposed over the decades |
|
E.2 |
|
Storytelling examples and agreeing
on a list |
There was a few sessions of sharing stories which led to
Jack agreeing to make a draft list of
often told tales or anecdotes – the draft list just had a key word or two and
a number |
|
E.3 |
|
Recording the List |
Jack read to Adhiratha his list adding brief detail – the
conversation was tape recorded. The list typed from the tape and shared with
Jack |
|
E.4 |
|
Then some stories fro m the
list were transcribed |
Also shared the beginning chapter of a book which jack had
been in process of drafting for a few years. |
|
E.5 |
|
Beginning chapter of a book |
Jack read from a beginning draft chapter of a book “not
one of the boys” he
had been planning for some time. |
|
E.5.1 |
|
Wanda’s Account of
1956 visit to |
A copy [jack
edited] copy of Wanda’s description of
trip Wanda and her sister Gwen made with 9 children going back to Alberta in
1956 as sample of a family story. |
|
E.6 |
|
Time Context for Interviews |
Discussed with Wanda and Jack the idea of pursuing the
interviews in a rough time sequence [e.g. early life and family, school, beginning
jobs , how met, coming to New York etc.] |
|
E.7 |
|
Interviews and transcripts |
Interviews were recorded and transcripts sheared with
Wanda and Jack for comment on the content or process |
|
E.8 |
|
Questions for Follow up |
In at least two cases written questions were shared with
Wanda and Jack in advance of the interview process |
|
E.9 |
|
Share Background Texts |
Jack was very interested in the Books Adhiratha was
reading as part of the project. He read a good bit and shared some of his
comments on the texts |
|
E.10 |
|
Presentation to Oral
History Class |
Adhiratha recorded a presentation of excerpts from
beginning Interviews. This was presented to a teaching Oral History class The
presentation and class reaction were shared with Wanda and Jack |
|
E.11 |
|
Using Video |
It was agreed to try video recording some of the
interviews |
|
E.12 |
|
Sharing the Video and
transcripts |
At first a small section of the video was shared with
Wanda and Jack using he monitor of the camera for playback Then they were
provided one VHS tape the equivalent
of the 3 hours of interviews which were video recorded [transcripts had been
previously provided for comment] |
|
E.13 |
|
Draft Parts of the MA Thesis Project |
Draft Parts of the MA Thesis project were shared with Wanda
and Jack who also added Pictures and other memorabilia |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Use of video, Audio tape recording, transcribing, CD
mastering etc. |
Heading |