For all Americans and the world, September 11 is a day those of us who lived through it will never forget. We all have our own personal memories and experiences from that day and the weeks and months that followed. In today's post, I'll share with you some interview tips on how to preserve those memories for future generations.
Why interviews are important
As with all events throughout history, memories and experiences fade with time. Record keeping and storytelling are the only ways to keep these memories and lessons alive. This fateful day brought about fear but it also brought about a sense of community and brotherhood. Our nation came together in ways not seen since the World Wars.
Whether your personal memories are filled with pain, empathy, or an overwhelming sense of patriotism, these are all pieces of you that should be recorded and shared with future generations.
People often think specifically of New York and the Twin Towers, but we mustn’t forget the brave souls on Flight 93 who sacrificed themselves to bring down the 4th plane. Or the souls lost in the air and on the ground at our Pentagon. The effects rippled through our nation as a whole that day and continued through our families, loved ones, and patriotic soldiers who answered the call to service for many years to come.
All views and stories are personal memories that belong to each individual. Capturing those memories allows them to live on forever.
We at Archoral encourage you to interview people, be it audio or video, and capture all that you can. We will store it for many generations to come, making it accessible, sharable, and preserved with love. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you start your journey.
Tips to a successful interview recording
A Comfortable, Quiet Location
When focusing on a topic like personal memories of tragic events, having the person you are interviewing in a comfortable setting is paramount to success. I find that conducting interviews in their own home is preferred. Make sure that disturbances and distractions can be kept to a minimum. This includes children and pets running through the middle of the room. Don’t worry if it happens, that’s what editing is for, it’s more about keeping the person you are interviewing focused on their memories.
Supplies to Have
It’s always good to bring a box of quality tissue for tears and nose-blowing! You don’t want the distraction of hunting something the moment you need it! Also, some bottled water because talking is a thirsty job! Photo Albums, Picture Frames, Medals or anything personal relating to the topic are often good memory joggers too. Don’t forget to photograph what those items are or have the person you are interviewing show them to you so you can, in turn, show the camera.
Recording Equipment
With the advent of smartphones and tablets, we no longer need expensive video cameras. What you WILL need is a stand to hold the device. I’ve found that having a small side table next to me, with a tabletop phone stand, has been the most helpful. This gives me a place to set things down and a good position for the camera.
Lighting Equipment
Digital recording devices are so good at light balancing that very little additional ambiance is necessary. A strategically placed tabletop or floor lamp will suffice. If you want to get fancy, there are many vlogging kits out there that are a great addition to your equipment list.
These are two of my primary stands:
Sunpak – Mini Box
Self-Storing Collapsible Bi-Color Vlogging Kit
I like this one because it completely folds down into its rectangular case. It fits nicely in my luggage or carry bag. It also has different light temperature options. I can place it on a table top or extend it to stand on the floor.
Bower – 6-in-1 Professional 36″ Tripod
This stand is handy when you don’t require any additional light sources. It’s wonderfully portable with a ball swivel phone mount and a remote that can teather to your phone.
My preferred one on one interview layout
Eyeline on a slight angle
Camera on a slight angle
Lighting on a slight angle
I have found that interviews are more comfortable for the person talking if they are not staring directly into a camera. It also makes a nicer shot (in my opinion). You want the person you’re interviewing to have a conversation with you instead of an interrogation!
I like to set the camera/light stand on a table to my right. I’m right-handed, so this allows me to keep my pens, notes, water glass, etc. handy as well. I prefer not to put myself in the camera frame, but there’s nothing wrong with that if you choose to do so.
Lighting should also come from slightly off-center. This softens the face while still highlighting their features.
I avoid setting people’s chairs directly in front of a window because the backlighting can overpower the light in the room, making it harder to see their facial features. I also avoid having people face a window. It can “overlight” their features and often be distracting.
I also set everything up at eye level. If you have to raise or lower people, cameras, lights… I do so to keep everything horizontally even.
Interview questions to help you capture personal memories and experiences
Personal Details
- How old were you?
- Where were you?
- Who were you with?
- How did you hear about the attacks?
- What was your initial reaction?
- Who was the first person you called?
- Who was the first person you hugged?
- What did you initially think was happening?
- What were your thoughts when you learned it was a terrorist attack?
In-Person Witness
- Did you witness the attacks personally?
- What did you do as it was happening?
- Was your health affected by the events? If so, how?
- What changed in your life following that day?
- What did you do to cope with your feelings?
Surrounding People
- Did you lose anyone on that day or the days following? Tell me about them.
- How did you help those around you?
- How were you helped?
- Did you rely on faith, friends, family?
Military Response
- How did you feel about going to war afterward?
- Did you or someone you know serve in the conflict?
- If yes, in what capacity?
- How did you feel when they captured Bin Laden?
- Looking back, how do you feel about the response now?
After-Effects
- Did the events change your path in life?
- What differences did you notice in the daily lives of Americans afterward?
- How did you feel about flying in the days following?
- How did you feel about international travel?
- Did you feel safer with the newly implemented TSA screening rules?
First Responder
Firefighter, EMT, Police
Were you there on the day or did you rush to a location to help??
What was your role?
Were you part of the recovery effort?
What was your greatest triumph?
What was your greatest loss?
Medical Response
Doctors, Nurses, Therapists
Are you a medical professional that cared for others?
Were you already working that morning or did you run to your offices and open your doors to support people?
What was your greatest triumph of the day?
What was your greatest loss?
Community Action
Did you stand in line for hours to donate blood?
Did you organize or work at local food banks or shelters?
Did you help set up or donate to fundraisers?
Did you set up or participate in any community safety programs?
Enlist in a Security Force
Did you choose to enlist in a military branch to help protect your homeland?
Become a police officer?
Did you join TSA, become a part of Homeland Security?
In-flight during the grounding?
Were you on an airplane that made an emergency landing?
In an airport awaiting a departure?
What were you told was happening?
What was your experience like?
Did you house displaced passengers?
Did you open your home, feed or clothe stranded passengers?
Were you one of the displaced passengers?
Are you still in contact to this day?
Help us fulfill our collective promise to never forget: get involved throughout the year or plan your own 9/11 observance. This article gives guidance for the following topics:
How To Honor
- Moment of Silence Timeline
- Bell Tolling
- Reading of Names
- Lowering of the Flag
How To Remember
- Submit a message of remembrance and reflection to our digital Blue Sky Remembrance Wall
- Share Reflections on Social Media
- Host a Community Memorial Beautification
- Host an “Anniversary in Theaters” Event
9/11 Resources
* All links provided in this article are strictly informational. We are not affiliates of any represented businesses and receive no funds from purchases.
Empower your interview video!
Archoral’s Media Repository allows photos, documents, and audio files to work seamlessly together, enhancing the stories.
Come visit to see how our tools can aid you in telling the story of people’s personal memories and life journeys!
