Class Notes: Week 3
Reflections + Q&A
On building trust between the interviewer and interviewee
-Why is trust needed?
-What makes you trust people?
David provides a metaphor of getting into a car with somebody you’ve never been in a car with, and they suck at driving. You don’t feel safe. Versus somebody who does know what they’re doing. You want to be the person driving who makes everybody else feel comfortable.
-Think about setting the ground before you even get there. Talk a little bit about what you’re going to be talking about before you even get there; give them a sense of what they will be talking about. Ask them what would make them feel comfortable. Make sure that the environment is going to be safe, and there will be no distractions.
NOTE: Maybe waste some time at the beginning to get them comfortable. Have them forget that the mic is there.
Body language. Tone. Leaning in. Asking questions that don’t go on forever. Let them finish.
Atlantic mentions resilience and the story is the journey, not the endpoint
The reading is like a therapy. Being able to listen and have empathy.
How does the notion of presence affect the space
The notion of positivity, and the intentionality that every interaction has
The posture of an artist, trying to find truth in this — be humble and optimistic
The process of finding the silver lining, and the idea of people telling their own stories. Allow the person to tell their own story, their own unique story.
When a traumatic event appears in the middle of an interview
-Alice’s experience
-It was difficult to know what to say
-Let people speak, because they are going to say what they want to say
-Let the pause hang
-Lean in, nod your head. You might be the first person they’ve ever shared this with.
-Amy’s experience
-Worked in Katrina, outpouring of emotions on the street
-Empathy, concern for others, putting self in their shoes
-Listening is of utmost importance
-Sometimes you don’t know where it’s going to go, no agenda
-If it gets emotional, be a listener, be a helper
-Subjects will apologize; remind them to take their time; less is more; give the interviewee agency
-Don’t worry about what is usable and what isn’t usable. You will get more out of a genuine and honest conversation, not one based off of your notes or your premonitions.
-David: Be up front that you want to use somebody’s story in a piece.
You say (when you want to let them know it isn’t what you’re looking for)
-You’re not that person? I’m sorry, have a wonderful day.
-If you have talked to them. Thank you for your time, we’re gonna see if this will work and get back to you.
Carson:
-You’re following up on a few leads for a potential story.
-Don’t make any promises up front.
-When you decide, you contact and start booking the actual shoot dates.
-Follow up, let them know you’ve picked another story, but you really appreciate that time.
-No need to smoke screen or lie.
-Following up on a few leads, and let them know honestly.
-Why is trust needed?
-What makes you trust people?
David provides a metaphor of getting into a car with somebody you’ve never been in a car with, and they suck at driving. You don’t feel safe. Versus somebody who does know what they’re doing. You want to be the person driving who makes everybody else feel comfortable.
-Think about setting the ground before you even get there. Talk a little bit about what you’re going to be talking about before you even get there; give them a sense of what they will be talking about. Ask them what would make them feel comfortable. Make sure that the environment is going to be safe, and there will be no distractions.
NOTE: Maybe waste some time at the beginning to get them comfortable. Have them forget that the mic is there.
Body language. Tone. Leaning in. Asking questions that don’t go on forever. Let them finish.
Atlantic mentions resilience and the story is the journey, not the endpoint
The reading is like a therapy. Being able to listen and have empathy.
How does the notion of presence affect the space
The notion of positivity, and the intentionality that every interaction has
The posture of an artist, trying to find truth in this — be humble and optimistic
The process of finding the silver lining, and the idea of people telling their own stories. Allow the person to tell their own story, their own unique story.
When a traumatic event appears in the middle of an interview
-Alice’s experience
-It was difficult to know what to say
-Let people speak, because they are going to say what they want to say
-Let the pause hang
-Lean in, nod your head. You might be the first person they’ve ever shared this with.
-Amy’s experience
-Worked in Katrina, outpouring of emotions on the street
-Empathy, concern for others, putting self in their shoes
-Listening is of utmost importance
-Sometimes you don’t know where it’s going to go, no agenda
-If it gets emotional, be a listener, be a helper
-Subjects will apologize; remind them to take their time; less is more; give the interviewee agency
-Don’t worry about what is usable and what isn’t usable. You will get more out of a genuine and honest conversation, not one based off of your notes or your premonitions.
-David: Be up front that you want to use somebody’s story in a piece.
You say (when you want to let them know it isn’t what you’re looking for)
-You’re not that person? I’m sorry, have a wonderful day.
-If you have talked to them. Thank you for your time, we’re gonna see if this will work and get back to you.
Carson:
-You’re following up on a few leads for a potential story.
-Don’t make any promises up front.
-When you decide, you contact and start booking the actual shoot dates.
-Follow up, let them know you’ve picked another story, but you really appreciate that time.
-No need to smoke screen or lie.
-Following up on a few leads, and let them know honestly.
Big questions asked during pitches
-What is the reveal? What is the hook?
-Can you shoot at these big events? What is the feasibility?
-What are the visuals?
-Can you shoot at these big events? What is the feasibility?
-What are the visuals?
Pitches: Alice, Marina, Will, and Summer
#1 Crystal Taylor
Queen Curator
-Runs the Underground Collective (a venue)
-Provides production, subculture of hip-hop
-Monday night rap battles, art presentations
-Stumbled into this looking for “dope music”
-This weekend is a huge Beats & Bars Festival (Great visual accompaniment) - Access to shooting at this festival
-Queen Curator as Identity
-First time for the festival, (will they won’t they?)
-Access wouldn’t be a problem
-Music as opportunity for audio
#2 Oren, Israeli guy in Durham (Soomsoom Pita Pocket)
-Melding of cultures
-Food community
-Farmer’s market
-Cocoa Cinnamon
-Holding onto your identity in a new place through food
-Does simple, traditional food (Pita pocket) really, really well
-He is on board, but prefers Crystal’s story
-His assimilation to a new place and his identity to a new place as an immigrant
#3 Visiting professor
-PhD in animation history
-manga, anime
-analyze how Japanese identity expresses itself through art forms
-Impact on western media, huge presence in USA
-Animated movie is screening next week (B-Roll opp)
Queen Curator
-Runs the Underground Collective (a venue)
-Provides production, subculture of hip-hop
-Monday night rap battles, art presentations
-Stumbled into this looking for “dope music”
-This weekend is a huge Beats & Bars Festival (Great visual accompaniment) - Access to shooting at this festival
-Queen Curator as Identity
-First time for the festival, (will they won’t they?)
-Access wouldn’t be a problem
-Music as opportunity for audio
#2 Oren, Israeli guy in Durham (Soomsoom Pita Pocket)
-Melding of cultures
-Food community
-Farmer’s market
-Cocoa Cinnamon
-Holding onto your identity in a new place through food
-Does simple, traditional food (Pita pocket) really, really well
-He is on board, but prefers Crystal’s story
-His assimilation to a new place and his identity to a new place as an immigrant
#3 Visiting professor
-PhD in animation history
-manga, anime
-analyze how Japanese identity expresses itself through art forms
-Impact on western media, huge presence in USA
-Animated movie is screening next week (B-Roll opp)
Pitches: Danielle, Julian, Sarah, Quinn
#1 Alex
-Bisexual & Mexican-American
-Identity of halves (Half-straight, half Mexican, half American)
-How he doesn’t need to fit into these rigid categories
-He has artwork
-He traveled around USA in his truck, making stained glass
-Intersection of farmworkers and art and queer spaces
-His hands as a way that he manifests his self and sense of self
-parallel his journey with his identity
Is he making anything right now?
-As you move forward, you have to be more careful with your pieces
-A message that if you keep continuing being creative, you can learn so much about yourself
-Alex as an example
-Story of his identity; creation of art; intersections of both
Focus here is on the casting
#2 Michael Anthony Williams
-MFA at DocStudies
-Promising filmmaker/single father
-Raising a child as a black man in the United States right now
-Police brutality/gang violence/untimely deaths
-Michael’s son is 11
-Blacks/Hispanics are 3x likely to be searched at a motor stop
-How can a black father raise a black son and be positive about the future when the future looks uncertain?
Thought: This definitely parallels the experience of a filmmaker
-Characters: Two at least
Was he also raised by a single father?
Look for secondary characters
#3 Sexual Assault - CiCi (Private)
-Survivor of sexual assault
-Her case was overturned
-Fighting to reopen the case
-Would have to keep identity as private as possible
-Would have to mask face
-B-Roll following her throughout her everyday life
-For survivors of sexual assault
-How she is moving throughout her life
-Will she receive any type of justice here at Duke?
-Any type of justice or resolution for herself?
-David Huppert: Is there a way to find an opposing view?
-Bisexual & Mexican-American
-Identity of halves (Half-straight, half Mexican, half American)
-How he doesn’t need to fit into these rigid categories
-He has artwork
-He traveled around USA in his truck, making stained glass
-Intersection of farmworkers and art and queer spaces
-His hands as a way that he manifests his self and sense of self
-parallel his journey with his identity
Is he making anything right now?
-As you move forward, you have to be more careful with your pieces
-A message that if you keep continuing being creative, you can learn so much about yourself
-Alex as an example
-Story of his identity; creation of art; intersections of both
Focus here is on the casting
#2 Michael Anthony Williams
-MFA at DocStudies
-Promising filmmaker/single father
-Raising a child as a black man in the United States right now
-Police brutality/gang violence/untimely deaths
-Michael’s son is 11
-Blacks/Hispanics are 3x likely to be searched at a motor stop
-How can a black father raise a black son and be positive about the future when the future looks uncertain?
Thought: This definitely parallels the experience of a filmmaker
-Characters: Two at least
Was he also raised by a single father?
Look for secondary characters
#3 Sexual Assault - CiCi (Private)
-Survivor of sexual assault
-Her case was overturned
-Fighting to reopen the case
-Would have to keep identity as private as possible
-Would have to mask face
-B-Roll following her throughout her everyday life
-For survivors of sexual assault
-How she is moving throughout her life
-Will she receive any type of justice here at Duke?
-Any type of justice or resolution for herself?
-David Huppert: Is there a way to find an opposing view?
Pitches: Serges, Hunter, Lauren
#1 PhD Mental Health; PhD Physics Student Aaron
-How does mental health affect the phd process
-Willing to talk about having the PhD and how traumatic the process can be
-General feelings of isolation, disillusionment
-Long period of time not knowing about the future
-Not a ton of black physicists in physics in the USA (As well as women)
-The human experience
-TAs, other people interacting with undergraduate students who are also dealing with undergraduates
Reminds me so much of Short Term 12
-Right now, he is at a point when he might be giving up his dream and go into finance and make money
Is this the right story in this time period?
I love this, but is it feasible in this time?
-Intersectionality of his identity, student experiences, other PhD students, senior thesis undergraduates
#2 Jillian Johnson, Durham
-Introduction about hair
-Already an interview in Lauren’s possession
-Durham city council woman
-She has natural hair
-Ultimately a story about conformity and image in reference to identity
-Wants to be known for what she does, rather than what she wears and does not wear
-She doesn’t want to feel like a clown
-Identity as an activist
-Is a Duke graduate
-President of LGBT Center at the time
-Sometimes isolated from both the African American and LGBT community because of the other
-When she was 3-4 years old, organized a strike in her living room against vegetables
-Hellraiser
-Never intended to be a city councilman
-Encouraged by people who wanted their voices heard
-Board game developer
What drives her? This could be the story.
-Lived in a Co-op house, and wants to encourage the same community in her house for her children with potlucks, board games
#3 Political identity; General council for republican party in NC
-Hunter lived with him
-Raised in super liberal
-How did he get to this point?
-Super liberal, southern household
-Civil rights activist
-How did Tom “get to this point” based on his household
-Political identity in relation to his work
-Been to the supreme court and own a case
-Intelligent man
-He really does love the people around him, he just super opinionated about what is best for people
-Finding middle ground
Is there middle ground?
Is this a story about Hunter’s relationship with Tom?
Is this reality tv?
How do you bridge the gap between political identities?
Humanize a Trump supporter
-How does mental health affect the phd process
-Willing to talk about having the PhD and how traumatic the process can be
-General feelings of isolation, disillusionment
-Long period of time not knowing about the future
-Not a ton of black physicists in physics in the USA (As well as women)
-The human experience
-TAs, other people interacting with undergraduate students who are also dealing with undergraduates
Reminds me so much of Short Term 12
-Right now, he is at a point when he might be giving up his dream and go into finance and make money
Is this the right story in this time period?
I love this, but is it feasible in this time?
-Intersectionality of his identity, student experiences, other PhD students, senior thesis undergraduates
#2 Jillian Johnson, Durham
-Introduction about hair
-Already an interview in Lauren’s possession
-Durham city council woman
-She has natural hair
-Ultimately a story about conformity and image in reference to identity
-Wants to be known for what she does, rather than what she wears and does not wear
-She doesn’t want to feel like a clown
-Identity as an activist
-Is a Duke graduate
-President of LGBT Center at the time
-Sometimes isolated from both the African American and LGBT community because of the other
-When she was 3-4 years old, organized a strike in her living room against vegetables
-Hellraiser
-Never intended to be a city councilman
-Encouraged by people who wanted their voices heard
-Board game developer
What drives her? This could be the story.
-Lived in a Co-op house, and wants to encourage the same community in her house for her children with potlucks, board games
#3 Political identity; General council for republican party in NC
-Hunter lived with him
-Raised in super liberal
-How did he get to this point?
-Super liberal, southern household
-Civil rights activist
-How did Tom “get to this point” based on his household
-Political identity in relation to his work
-Been to the supreme court and own a case
-Intelligent man
-He really does love the people around him, he just super opinionated about what is best for people
-Finding middle ground
Is there middle ground?
Is this a story about Hunter’s relationship with Tom?
Is this reality tv?
How do you bridge the gap between political identities?
Humanize a Trump supporter
Edit Lab
Use Carson’s organization template unless you have a better organization system yourself
Use Pluralize for syncing massive amounts of content
-Organize who has the 30-day trial for this plug-in. It will save your life.
-Camera 1 on V1A1; Camera 2 on A2V2, Zoom on A3
Use Pluralize for syncing massive amounts of content
-Organize who has the 30-day trial for this plug-in. It will save your life.
-Camera 1 on V1A1; Camera 2 on A2V2, Zoom on A3
