VHP Process – 1 st Form a Team Settle upon a combat veteran or combat support person and contact him/her to ask about participation. Explain project (mention the videotaping). If it’s a yes, get basic information of when, where, rank, unit, job, etc. Research basics to understand veteran’s job/area/context. It is a good idea to meet the veteran in advance in order to make him/her comfortable with you. Schedule interview—time and place (give at least 2 hours time). Sign up for class camera and tripod if needed. Cameras are also available for checkout at the library Educational Media Center. Check VHP website for suggested questions and compose your own list pertinent to your veteran. Send them to your veteran ahead of time so he/she will have a chance to think about them.website

During Interview, you must Record on tape (1)the date and location of the interview;(2) the name of the person being interviewed; (3)his or her birthdate and current address; and (4) the names of all the people attending the interview, including the interviewer and his or her institutional affiliation and relationship to the interviewee and the name of the camera or recording operator if different than the interviewer. At the start, ask the veteran what war(s) and branch of service he or she served in, what was his or her rank, and where he or she served..

Process, continued. Pick up camera and tripod before interview (if needed)from your instructor or ETC in Meyer Library, along with materials [1MINI-DV (60 minutes), if needed, and 3 VHS tapes or DVDs] from your instructor. N.B. The Library of Congress will accept paper memorabilia – photos, diaries, letters, etc. Additional forms for these contributions are available at the VHP website. Photos shown on tape do not require special forms. At interview get all paperwork filled out and signed (biography, VHP releases, MSU releases). Releases must be signed by everyone present! Make more copies of the forms if you need them. After interview, take tapes to library for dubbing to VHS or DVD (or dub on home VCR or computer with media software). While dubbing fill out the Recording Log cover sheet and list subjects covered as accurately as you can,along with minute markers. Personnel from ETC are there to assist, but it is your job to accomplish the dubbing. For burning DVDs, ETC provides iMovie and iDVD programs. Return camera & tripod (if checked out) promptly and in working order. Note that ETC charges for late returns.

Final Stages Return one VHS or DVD copy of the interview to the veteran. Sooner is better – this will be important to the veteran. Write up a 2-page account of things you learned to turn in as part of your final. Work on class presentation for last three weeks of class. On day of class presentation, hand into instructor all VHP & MSU paperwork, master recording, and 2 VHSes or 2 DVDs to complete project. Instructor will ship one copy of interview and paperwork to Library of Congress and give the second copy to the Appleby Veterans History Collection in archives at Meyer Library.

Meyer Library