Thanksgiving 2020 will likely look different than we’re used to. You might say it will be “one for the books.” In the spirit of documenting extraordinary moments in time, Listening in Place - Thanksgiving Family Interviews offers a unique way to connect with family and loved ones from afar during this historic holiday.
Part of the Vermont Folklife Center’s Listening in Place initiative developed in response to Covid-19, this workshop covers the basics of recording interviews (online, over the phone or in person within your household if it’s safe to do so). It also introduces the VFC’s Sound Archive, where your interviews and documentary recordings may be submitted to be included in this open access, crowdsourced audio collection of Vermonters’ experiences of pandemic and 2020.
This workshop is for anyone interested in a basic introduction to conducting family interviews, with a focus on remote recording techniques. This includes students, educators, community members, staff members of organizations doing cultural, community and social-service work or anyone looking to make a first effort at remote recording and media-production. The tools presented will be free to access (we will also discuss some paid options) and there is no requirement to submit your recordings to the VFC archive. The skills offered may also be put to use in participants’ independent documentary projects.