Oral History and Video in Theory and Practice

The addition of videotape equipment to the arsenal of the oral historian has engendered a great deal of controversy. Oral historians using the new medium of video have been enthusiastic, for their new product has served many purposes, from documentation to publicity. Other oral historians, concerned with commitment of finances, time, and method, have held back their endorsement and posed important and significant questions. More than a decade has passed since I first conducted a videotaped oral history interview. During that time, the range of equipment has broadened substantially; moreover, the number of projects using the video medium continues to grow logarithmically. I am convinced that to interview properly requires both learning and experience. However, the reluctance of many oral historians to involve themselves with video has left the field open to untrained

Archaeology · Oral history · Computer Science · History · Oral History, Memory, Narrative Analysis