Oral History Toolkit

Brief Overview

Recording an oral history is more than just sitting down with someone, hitting record,

and asking them questions. It is a collaborative process where one’s memories and

experiences are collected and preserved in conversation between interviewer and

interviewee. The toolkit below is intended to help guide you in this process, providing

instructions and tips for equipment setup and video storage, pre-interview preparation,

and successfully conducting the interview itself.

1) Equipment

Luckily, the variety of technologies today will be able to accommodate whatever both

parties decide. Some options are explored in detail below.

Recording in Video Conferencing Platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting)

These video conferencing platforms have become widely used throughout the COVID

19 Pandemic and are perfect for recording an oral history interview at a distance. For

our purposes at California Chronicles, there is no preferred platform as each allow open

access and the ability to record the video session. Thus, we suggest for interviewers

and interviewees to select the platform which they feel most comfortable.

• Computer Setup

o Evaluate the computer setup of the interviewee. Video conferencing

o Video conference calls require a strong internet connection, as well as

good Internet speeds and bandwidth. A quality video conference call and

recording typically requires a minimum download/upload speed of 75/8

Mbps (megabytes per second). Search “internet speed test” on your

device and run a few tests to check your speed. Note that fiber optic

connections can have much lower bandwidth needs (around 25 Mbps.)

o Helpful tips for improving your internet speeds and bandwidth

 Close all other apps on your computers, as well as other tabs in

your internet browser

o While each video conferencing platform has its own unique interface,

there are some general functions to recording a video call that they all

follow.

 The “host” of the meeting will control the recording and settings

 The “host” of the meeting starts and stops the recording

 In the Recording Settings, select “Active Speaker” mode

• (This gives the full screen to the speaker)

 In the Recording Settings, make sure the following are NOT

selected

• Timestamp Preferences

with no fee or subscription.

 Note on Storage – When deciding between these two options, it

should be noted that video recordings are large files. If you choose

to record to your computer, you will want to make sure your device

has enough storage for the recording.

Recording Video in FaceTime

For iPhone and Mac users, FaceTime is another option for recording your interviews at

a distance. It does require, however, that both parties have Mac products. Moreover,

while the recording could be done with the phone itself, it is preferable to use a Mac

discussed in the previous section) needs to be considered.

• Recording Instructions

o Start FaceTime Call

o Launch QuickTime from the Applications folder

o Navigate to File and select New Screen Recording in the menu bar.

o Alternatively, you can use Shift + ⌘ + 5.

o Select to Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion and make sure

your FaceTime window is within the frame

• Recording to Computer

o A FaceTime / QuickTime recording will be stored on your computer. There

Recording Video via Smart Phone

steady frame for video recording. With the video and camera features of

Smart Phones becoming widely used, there are a number of stand options

available.

• Environment

o Creating a suitable recording environment will be discussed in more detail

below. Here it is important to note that recording with a Smart Phone may

present additional challenges, namely that the phone’s camera and

microphone are situated at a farther distance from the interviewee then

one’s computer during a video conferencing call. Lighting and audio

should be tested beforehand and adjusted as needed. A quiet, well-lit

o Although COVID 19 vaccines are becoming more widely available, in-

person interviews can still pose a risk to both interviewer and interviewee.

It is recommended that standard safety protocols such as social distancing

and wearing masks before and after the interview be observed. Discuss

such protocols with the interviewee and decide a plan of action with which

There are times when video recording an interview is not desired by the interviewee.

Perhaps they are camera shy or self-conscious about being video recorded. In these

instances, an audio only recording is a good second option. And here a Smart Phone

can offer an easy and accessible solution.

• Recording Apps

• Environment

o Similar to video recording, a quiet environment is highly recommended.

the best position possible for the interview.

space is available on the phone prior to recording the interview.

2) Pre-interview Preparation

Once you’ve settled on the equipment to be used, you can now turn your attention to

preparing for the interview itself. As stated earlier, oral history is a collaborative process

between the interviewer and interviewee, and that collaboration begins well before the

record button is pressed. In an oral history, interviewees are asked to recall events,

feelings, and experiences that likely happened many years—if not decades—in the

past. This recall process can sometimes be both difficult and overwhelming for

individuals, which is why it is important to have pre-interview discussions with the

interviewee about the scope and content of the oral history. Such discussions will not

only significantly aide the interviewee in the recall process, but also help you, the

interviewer, in preparing to conduct the oral history interview. Below are some tips for

this pre-interview preparation.

 Achieving a goal through determination and hard work

 An experience that gave you a new perspective on life

 A moment or event that made you believe in yourself and/or others

 An experience you’re proud of

 Sharing something inspirational

o Have a broad discussion about the interviewee’s life. This will help with

the memory and recall process, allowing them to relive and articulate

moments of their past. Likely you’ll come across a lot of events that fit the

above criteria. And to be clear, the oral history does not have to focus on

just one singular event.

• Accessing the Memory Bank

o Opening the Memory Flood Gates can be overwhelming. A pre-interview

o The interviewee may initially struggle with getting the sequence of events

in correct order. In these cases, be patient and let them work it out. The

last thing you want is for them to get frustrated. An oral history should be

an enjoyable process. Reassure them that there is no need for them to put

pressure on themselves—there is plenty of time to get things ironed out.

o Use memory aides to help with the process. Having them talk with friends

• Sample Outline

o Slate the Interview

of Aging

o Tell us a little about yourself

 When and where were you born?

 Where did you grow up?

 Where did you go to school and what career(s) did you pursue as

an adult?

• What did your family say / feel about this?

 Follow up questions at the end

matter the mode of recording being used. If recording at a distance via a

video conferencing platform or FaceTime, you will have to communicate

with the interviewee in regard to the environment. This may require them

turning on more lights, or addressing disturbances and ambient noises on

their end.

o As referenced earlier, internet speed / bandwidth will affect video

Once the interview is complete, it is important to make a backup copy of the recording.

While the raw video / audio file may seem safe in the cloud or on the interviewer’s

computer / phone (depending on the mode of recording), none of these are fail-safe.

The cloud storage of video conferencing platforms will automatically delete recordings

after a specified time limit, just as computers and phones are prone to hard drive

crashes and other mishaps. Making a backup copy of the recording ensures that the

interview will be preserved. Below are a few suggested ways to store the raw

video/audio file.

• Personal cloud base storage

o While the cloud storage of many video conferencing platforms have a time