Interviewing Mom (or Dad) isn’t as easy
as it first seems.
Do a little homework. What historic events did she witness in her life? What was she doing when she learned that the United States declared war on Japan? Where was she when she found out that Martin Luther King Jr. had been assassinated? When Richard Nixon resigned?
Is there an object she’s had throughout her life that’s sentimentally significant to her? Find it so you can ask her to hold the object and talk about it on-camera.
Look into family history workshops, which often are offered at community centers, libraries and other venues. One example: The Aurora Central Library is hosting the Family Legacy Writing Workshop from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on May 21 at the library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway.
Do some reading. Bob Brandon’s “Complete Digital Video Guide” (Readers Digest) includes examples of interview questions and a script. Here’s some advice from Brandon:
Start with simple, chronological questions.
• What’s your first memory? Where were you? Was it warm? Cold? Quiet? Noisy? Calming? Scary? Why?
• Did you have a childhood pet? What was its name? Did you get along with your pet? Did your pet ever get in trouble?
• What’s your first memory of Christmas (or Hanukkah or Ramadan)? Do you remember the way your home looked? What song did you like then? What was your favorite food? What did you like least about the holiday?
• What did you do as a child that surprised yourself?
Listen for a theme that begins to emerge in the answers. Was life easy? A struggle? Was she a tomboy? A bookworm? Did she begin planning her wedding before she learned to read?
