Criterion A

What are some reasons why it is important to record the personal life stories of individual people?

I believe that recording personal life stories is really important, since it helps us capture the unique experiences of individual peoples and it preserves cultural heritage. This can be found commonly in Indigenous and other cultures, where people use storytelling to pass down knowledge values, and customs from one generation to another. When personal life stories are documented, we not only honor the person, but we also gain valuable insights into diverse perspectives and histories. And, these stories can contribute to a collective understanding of humanity, and really help us appreciate the complexities of human existence and experience.  

Describe what could be some benefits for the person being interviewed.

For the person being interviewed, sharing a life story can be beneficial by allowing them to look back on their life journey, celebrating their achievements and finding closure for past hardships. Sharing their experiences to others have been proven to leave individuals empowered and validated, and recognized for their contributions to society. Furthermore, preserving personal narratives makes sure that voices and perspectives can endure beyond a lifetime, which helps us appreciate the complexities of human existence and experience. 

Describe what could be some benefits for viewers of the video now, and in the future.

For people that witness personal life stories, videos are one of the best ways to provide a unique window into human experiences. They can be valuable educational tools, offering insights into various cultures, historical contexts, and personal struggles. They also promote empathy and understanding by showcasing the diversity of human experiences and the universal themes that connect us all. These recordings can become invaluable historical records, and it also provides a firsthand account of past eras and everyday life. This can teach future generations about history and the resilience of individuals in navigating life’s challenges. 

Identify real-life stakeholders.  These include potential subjects (interviewees) and the intended audience (viewers) of your finished video. These people should be accessible for you to use as primary sources for further research in this project. 

I will be interviewing Ryan Huang, an incredibly gifted musician that plays the piano. I will also hopefully be working with Edmond Shen, who will be helping me to take the video. Mr. Crawford and Mr. Sontag may also be available while taking this video. 

Use the PMI (plus, minus, interesting) framework, and your knowledge of what makes an effective interview, to analyze 3 “oral history” interviews. Indicate at least 2 strengths (“pluses”), 1 area for improvement (“minus”), and 1 aspect that caught your interest (“interesting”) . You should consider the questioning technique, the physical situation, filming techniques, audio, and editing techniques.