ArtDes 310 Sec. 002 -- Fall 2006
Veterans Video Portrait Project
Heidi Kumao, Asst. Professor
Tues/Thurs 1:30-4:30 pm
School of Art and Design, University of Michigan

Interview-Things to do and ask
Bring your answers to class after your first interview-(see #8, #9)
be prepared to present what you learned to the class

Due by Oct. 10, 2006:
1) Photo of your vet posted to BLOG
2) Maps of where they served
3) Information about their context: music, job, basics

See also the Library of Congress' Interview TIPS AND RESOURCES

1) Bring camera, at least 2 tapes, microphone, headphones, tripod, Library of Congress Veteran's History Project booklet (to give them), extension cord, battery for camera
2) Have them sign the release form for the Library of Congress.
3) Set up your veteran in a setting in which they are comfortable and there is good lighting on their face.
4) WHITE BALANCE the situation
5) Set up your camera on a tripod, plug in headphones and microphone.
6) Begin test recording. Make sure camera is focused. Make sure you have clean audio.
7) Check your test recording by playing it back and listening to it and looking at it. If it's okay, start regular recording.

8) BASIC QUESTIONS: (see the Library of Congress sheets)
-Where did they serve?
-What did they do?
-Why did they go? (drafted, volunteered, etc.?)

AS THEY TELL THEIR STORIES, GET THEM TO REFLECT ON THE MEANING OF THAT EVENT BY ASKING SIMPLE THINGS SUCH AS,
"What did that mean to you?" "How did that effect you?" "What do you make of that?"

Are there any stories that have surprise outcomes? Those stories will probably be the most interesting to a general audience member. Are there any stories in which their personal opinion was changed dramatically? They learned something they didn't expect to learn?

****QUESTION THAT ALWAYS WORKS:
What did you think this was going to be like before you started, and then what was it REALLY like?

9) CONNECTING QUESTIONS
Try to understand where they were culturally, politically, socially at the time of their service
What music did they listen to then? Favorite TV shows? Movies? Books? Food?
What age were they? How was being that age THEN different from being that age NOW?

News stories of their day: What was going on in the USA at that time? What was going on in the world during that time?
(If they don't have the answers, they YOU need to look this information up)
What did their families think of their service before and after?

Connect with them on where they are now:
How did their service affect who they are today?
How does it affect what they think of the current war?
What do they think of the current war in Iraq?

 

 

8) Additional materials/ideas
Does he/she have any visual or audio materials they can lend you for the creation of the video? (to be scanned or photographed then returned)
Does he/she have any relatives/friends that might be interested in being interviewed for the piece?
Does he/she have some ideas for shooting in another setting or while doing some activity? attending an event? For example, if he/she is active in some organization now, would they want you to videotape them leading/participating in some activity?