The Hear Me Now Interview: Step-by-Step
A Hear Me Now interview is about 40 minutes of uninterrupted time to record
a meaningful conversation between two people who know one another well.
A trained facilitator will be with you throughout to help make your experience
more comfortable by handling the technical aspects of the recording.
Here’s what you can expect:
Step 1 - Welcome
The facilitator will welcome you, explain their role and set up recording
equipment. The facilitator will also give reminders about the interview
process and answer any questions.
Step 2 - Logistics
The facilitator will walk both participants through the initial paperwork,
which asks for basic personal information, such as name, address and ethnic
background.
Step 3 - Sound Check
Once both participants are ready to proceed, the facilitator will check
the audio levels and make small microphone adjustments.
Step 4 - The Interview
While you are talking, the facilitator will keep time, monitor the audio
and take notes. facilitators are not interviewers, although they may ask
a clarifying question during the interview.
Step 5 - Release Form
When the interview is over, the facilitator will explain the release form,
which must be signed by both people who participated together to allow
StoryCorps to keep one copy of the interview and archive another at the
American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. In some cases, another
copy will go to Providence.
Step 6 - Photos
With your permission, the facilitator will take photos of you and your
interview partner both together and separately. These photos will be included
with the archived recording. One person, most often the storyteller, will
receive a copy of the interview a few weeks later.