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Other features that should be available are battery level indicator or record level meter digital tape counter, and the ability to be used with batteries or through a wall socket. A noise reduction feature, such as Dolby, is also very nice but expensive.
Try to use a recorder that has a socket that takes an external microphone. Most recorders have built-in microphones. These often give poor results.
Tape Use only good quality C-60 (thirty minutes per side) cassette tapes if possible. The C-90 (90 minutes) or the C-120 (2 hours) tend to stretch and will break more easily.
Do not use tape for the interview that has been used before.
Be sure to punch out the tabs on the back of the cassette after the interview so that the tape cannot accidentally be erased.
Store tapes in a cool, dry place. Try to keep them free from dust. Remember to rewind them.
Microphones There are a variety of external microphones that can be used.
Lavaliere or lapel microphones attach to the interviewee s clothes and have a transmitter that is hidden somewhere on the person s body (if you re shooting video). If you want the interviewer s questions to be heard clearly, the interviewer could also wear a microphone.
Hand-held microphones should be held no more than nine inches from the mouth of the interviewer. (This is good for outside.)
Table-microphones (multidirectional) If it is necessary to hear the voice of more than one person, a multidirectional microphone could be used.
Book Binder Booklets can be taken to the local copy center to be bound or you can use a GBC machine to bind them yourself.
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Video Camera Video cameras can be either digital or analog.
Video cameras should have a flip out LCD screen besides an eyepiece viewfinder.
They should also be able to use an external microphone as well as one that is built in. Use the built in microphone for interviews only if you are very close (10 ft maximum) to the interviewee; otherwise use an external wireless or hard-wired microphone.
Use the camera on a tripod whenever possible so your shots are steady.
On-the-camera lights give a slightly harsh newsy feel to interviews. Use other, softer lights for interviews.
Microphones There are a variety of external microphones that can be used.
Lavaliere or lapel microphones attach to the interviewee s clothes and have a transmitter that is hidden somewhere on the person s body (if you re shooting video). If you want the interviewer s questions to be heard clearly, the interviewer could also wear a microphone.
Hand-held microphones should be held no more than nine inches from the mouth of the interviewer. (This is good for outside.)
Table-microphones (multidirectional) If it is necessary to hear the voice of more than one person, a multidirectional microphone could be used.
Needs to run on a modern computer with at least 128 megabytes of RAM memory and a 20 gigabyte or larger hard drive. Don t try to edit on an old, slow machine.
Can be inexpensive and basic (Ulead VideoStudio) or expensive and Hollywood (Adobe Premiere).
Should have a Firewire or iLink or IEEE1394 connection built in (iMac/G4) or plug-in card (PC s) for importing digital video (NOT analog!). Some Firewire cards come with editing software packages (Orange Micro, Digital Origins).
IMacs and G4 s come with editing software (iMovie, Final Cut) and cameral interface (digital, not analog) built in.
If you must use an analog camera, you will need help finding a good way to get your video into computer for editing.
Should have the fastest write speed you can afford.
Can be IDE (internal) or USB or Firewire or parallel port (external).
Need software to burn your video or audio onto a CD. It s usually free with the burner but you should check to be sure.
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Tape Recorder Tape recorders vary in price from about $400 to $20. You do not need to have the very best tape recorder, but you also do not want a very cheap one which will not give you clear sound quality.
Other features that should be available are battery level indicator or record level meter digital tape counter, and the ability to be used with batteries or through a wall socket. A noise reduction feature, such as Dolby, is also very nice but expensive.
Try to use a recorder that has a socket that takes an external microphone. Most recorders have built-in microphones. These often give poor results.
OR Video Camera Video cameras can be either digital or analog.
Video cameras should have a flip out LCD screen besides an eyepiece viewfinder.
They should also be able to use an external microphone as well as one that is built in. Use the built in microphone for interviews only if you are very close (10 ft maximum) to the interviewee; otherwise use an external wireless or hard-wired microphone.
Use the camera on a tripod whenever possible so your shots are steady.
On-the-camera lights give a slightly harsh newsy feel to interviews. Use other, softer lights for interviews.
Microphones There are a variety of external microphones that can be used.
Lavaliere or lapel microphones attach to the interviewee s clothes and have a transmitter that is hidden somewhere on the person s body (if you re shooting video). If you want the interviewer s questions to be heard clearly, the interviewer could also wear a microphone.
Hand-held microphones should be held no more than nine inches from the mouth of the interviewer. (This is good for outside.)
Table-microphones (multidirectional) If it is necessary to hear the voice of more than one person, a multidirectional microphone could be used.
Presentation Software This might include PowerPoint or HyperStudio or another program that you have available
CD Burner
Should have the fastest write speed you can afford.
Can be IDE (internal) or USB or Firewire or parallel port (external)
Need software to burn your video or audio onto a CD. It s usually free with the burner but you should check to be sure.
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