Instructions for Interviewers & Videographers

Many of these materials are based on the original Texas After Violence Project Oral History Handbook by Antony Cherian and Mark Westmoreland, Seed Documentary Cooperative, prepared for our February, 2008 training, and the revision of that handbook by Antony Cherian and Gabe Solis, Fall 2008. Copies are available at the office.

what to do ahead of time - well before the day of the interview

what to do in the day or two before the interview - interviewer & videographer

what to take to the interview - interviewer & videographer

setting up for the interview - interviewer & videographer

videographers - setting up for & recording the interview (please see the February, 2008 handbook by Mark Westmoreland and Antony Cherian, as revised by Antony Cherian & Gabriel Solis in 2009)

consent to be interviewed form

* consentimiento para ser entrevistado

Ask the person if she or he has any questions and answer them. Make sure the person audibly and clearly consents to the interview on the videotape or audiotape.

There must be a clear beginning to the interview, e.g., "Okay, are you ready? .... Let's begin. Today is the 31st day of February, 2086. We are here in [city] at the [describe location but not street address unless it's a public space] to interview [name the narrator]. The person speaking is [Nancy NonInterrupting Narrator or Quincy Quiet] and the videographer is [Vinnie Videographer]. Ms. Narrator, we've talked about the purpose of this interview, and its possible risks and benefits. Do you have any questions at all? .... Do you consent to this interview?.... I'm going to ask you to please sign these consent forms on camera..."

interviewers: what to do at the interview

interviewers: what not to do at the interview

interviewer & videographer team: what to do immediately after the interview
1) take some big breaths and let it settle in, talk or not talk about the experience with your interviewing partner on the way back to the office or Austin
2) notice your feelings
3) set some time aside to reflect on your experience in this interview
4) process the interview with Texas After Violence Project teammates, and/or with counselors if you wish

write a thank you note to the person you just interviewed within three days of the interview