Instructions for Submitting
Instructions for Submitting
Ephemera is art, music, poetry, class essays, diary entries, screenshots, any written word, etc. The medium by which you share your story is not as important as the act of sharing.
Don’t worry about having everything in high resolution. A photo taken with a phone is more than adequate! If you would like assistance scanning your materials, please contact oralhistory@deerfield.edu.
To submit ephemera, follow the directions on the submission form.
For both monologues and interviews, the preferred mode of recording is Zoom as it is the standardized tool used by the community, and it conveniently converts recordings to .mp4 video files.
Monologue
If you are going to record a monologue, review the prompts ahead of time. Identify which prompts you would like to speak about during your 20-45 minute monologue.
To record:
Open up Zoom and click “New Meeting.”
A video meeting should open up with you in the video frame.
Click "Record."
Begin your recording with a brief biographical statement including your name, the date of the recording, and the name of your interviewer, if applicable.
Read the prompt you are going to speak about.
Start talking!
When switching to another prompt, please read the new prompt aloud for the audience.
After 20-45 minutes, select “End Recording.”
Zoom should then process the video and present it in an open window.
Rename the video with the following naming conventions: LASTNAME_MONTH.mp4
Keep the window open so you can then drag the file into the Google Form to upload.
Interview
If you would like to be interviewed, contact the Oral History Project and we will assign an interviewer, or coordinate with a friend who will interview you.
The interviewers job is to allow the interviewee to talk, and to ask questions that create clarification and allow for a deeper exploration of a topic. The interview questions should not put the interviewee on the spot or make them uncomfortable. We want this to be a positive experience and do not want anyone to share more than they are comfortable sharing.
The pair should meet ahead of time to review and decide upon the prompts to be used.
When it comes time to do the interview, the one being interviewed should be the host of the meeting, as they are responsible for recording and submitting the file. Please ensure that the interviewee is the one who records the interview. The interviewer MAY NOT submit the file on behalf of the interviewee, as there is a question of consent on the submission form.
To record:
Once you are both in the Zoom meeting and ready to start, click "Record."
Begin your recording with a brief biographical statement including your name, the date of the recording, and the name of your interviewer, if applicable.
Start talking!
Be sure the interviewer reads the prompt for each section. They may ask appropriate clarifying and delving questions. Be sure to not fall into a conversation as this is an interview for an oral history.
When switching to another prompt, please read the prompt aloud for the audience.
After 20-45 minutes, select “End Recording.”
Zoom should then process the video and present it in an open window.
Rename the video with the following naming conventions: LASTNAME_MONTH.mp4
Keep the window open so you can then drag the file into the Google Form to upload.