Interview
Pre-Interview Meeting
Meeting before your interview will help your narrator understand the purpose and process of the interview. It will also help you identify and address any issues with logistics or recording technology.
Share the topic and scope of the interview. For example, how long it will take and what kinds of questions you will be asking. You may want to review and revise your questions with your narrator.
Identify a quiet and comfortable interview location where you won't be disturbed. You may want to do a brief test recording to make sure your equipment works.
Interview Day
Settle into your quiet and comfortable interview location. Identify your narrator and the date at the beginning of the recording.
Remember to be flexible and use the questions as a guide. Keep your focus on your narrator, and be open to changing course if their memories take them in a different direction, or they don't want to discuss a topic. Show respect for your narrator by working collaboratively and making decisions together.
At the conclusion of the interview, thank your narrator for their time and for sharing their memories. Let them know how and when you plan to share the audio file and transcript with them.
Photo by Catherine Powell