Gosh, this site is all new to me. First of all, i would like to introduce myself. My name is Jenny and I'm a young aspiring film maker based in the UK. I know that veterans must be asked a lot about their experiences from WWII, and I am sure that the repetition gets tiring, but I am hoping at least one person will be able to help me. I'm not much of a history buff, or a military buff (though I find both very interesting), but one of my favourite things is hearing people's stories. Stories about holidays or what happened when a friend took their dog for a walk - I find other people so interesting to listen to and talk with, though apart from my stepmothers grandmother telling me stories when I was young, I have never had much of a chance to speak with someone who was alive in the war, and is able to remember it with clarity. Now that I'm older I'm interested in doing a short video series - of people's stories. I'm hoping that some of these stories can come from the era of the war - childhoods and service and post-war, and that's what brings me here. If anyone is interested, here is what I'm hoping it would include: Pictures of the past (any photos that you would have would be greatly appreciated, though it's not necessary) Story telling - basically, I set up my camera and give prompts. Asking about service records or experiences. Anything too painful or hard to talk about will not be pushed, though. A guide through what military discipline and regulation was like in the 40s Not all of it has to be included (if this comes to pass), and these videos wouldn't really be anywhere but Youtube, though I would like to be able to do these in person. I'm currently living in Cardiff, though any travel in the UK I will pay for myself, and if I am able I might also be able to give some small form of payment (though as I'm young and unemployed, I won't be sure until the time comes). Gosh, if you've stuck through all of that thank you very much for taking the time to read it. As I said, if you have any stories you'd like to share, please get in touch with me. If it comes to pass that I am unable to travel but you are still interested, then a meeting can be conducted via the internet - through Skype and video conferencing. Once again, thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this, even if you are not interested in partaking. Best wishes, Jenny.
Hello Jenny and welcome to the forum. We have quite a few Veterans on here who have shared their stories. I would like to suggest that you first check out their stories on here. I know of at least two of them who have contributed to the BBC People's War website and you will find there are lots of interesting stories there. Ron Goldstein and Tom Canning are the ones mentioned above and you can find them under their member name and follow the link in their signatures -there are lots of stories and photos. Other Veterans who are active on the forum are Joe Brown Sapper Gerry Chester Wilf Shaw I can guarantee that their stories will keep you busy for a while Lesley
hello Jenny link below for Veteran accounts. http://ww2talk.com/forums/forum/28-veteran-accounts/ regards Clive
Welcome Jenny, I hope you enjoy looking at the collection of accounts that have been posted. You mentioned pictures above - The Imperial War Museum has a wonderful collection online and if it is a not-for-profit project you are working on the terms of use are extremely flexible. If it is a commercial project the terms of use are still quite good. I think it is useful for supporting stories you may gather. They also have other materials in other formats. http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections-research Best wishes, Dave
Thank you very much - I'll start looking at some of these things tomorrow! I appreciate the help greatly, and no, this project would not be for a profit Thank you again!
Jenny - all power to your elbow for wanting to do something like this and that’s coming from a film maker and a lecturer who wishes some of his students had half your ambition and energy. I hope you intend to go and study your craft somewhere that will recognise your talent. There are, aside from the veterans on this site, a number of people who, like me have interviewed/spoken to many veterans of WW2 and other conflicts, whether professionally or out of plain interest in preserving their stories and I’m sure they may give you some advice or contacts as well. Sadly, as you know, such people are thin on the ground, given that a veteran of WW2 would have to be 85 to have taken part in the conflict. In the meantime, a few general pointers to possible contacts that you may already have thought of: http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ http://www.burmastar.org.uk/associations.htm http://www.veterans-uk.info/links/comrades.html http://www.normandyveterans.org.uk/ There are still plenty of individual regiments and corps that maintain veterans associations but the best way is to look for those individually - every contact may know another couple, so it’s worth asking. One event happening close to you which is bound to attract veterans: http://www.armedforcesdaywales.co.uk/veterans-day-wales-south.aspx Always happy to encourage film makers, so if I can help, even though I’m in Liverpool, don’t hesitate to post or get in touch. Good luck, Brian
Brian, This is really helpful, thank you so much! I'll be sure to check out your links and if I do find that I'd like some guidance I will not hesitate to contact you! I'll send you a friend request for now, thank you very much! Do you have any tips as to how to broach a subject like this? I've never done anything like it before! Thanks again, I very much appreciate it.
I put an add in the local chip shop and post office, you would be surprised how many people come forward. I extended my request to Korean veterans too. Spoke to a chap who was with Speakman when he won his VC and was then taken POW, it was a very humbling experience to listen to him. Don
Dear Jenny, Thank you - you're onside mate, having had the wherewithal to get here in the first place. In terms of interviews, in my opinion, and it's only my opinion, I'd say be as straightforward as you can. If people have been good enough to say 'yes' to being interviewed, they don't then want to meet someone who isn't sure why they asked them here in the first place. They do say, "have ten questions but be prepared to only use two" - there's nothing quite so excruciating as listening/watching someone plough relentlessly through a clipboard of questions, seemingly not listening to the answers given. It's a conversation, not an interrogation. It's something you do with your personality and character, not a hammer - too many people think they have to behave like Jeremy Paxman interviewing politicians, or the complete opposite, they mumble and almost apologise for being there, and give every impression of wanting to get out as soon as possible. In terms of veterans, some of them will have more experience than you, as they get thinner on the ground, they get interviewed more - some people seem to remember everything, other people not much. Some people are natural story tellers, others aren't. I couldn't ever prise much out of my own father, but he'd be happy to talk to my wife or the other girls in the family. Sometimes people will even tell you things they haven't told others - it's a question of how good you are at listening. I would tell people roughly what you'd like to discuss, no detail, no big preamble, and off you go - given the amount of material that some of the veterans on this forum contribute, you'll have no trouble. Depending on what format you're recording on, it's relatively cheap to talk. Enjoy yourself above all. Brian
Thank you very much for this advice - I feel like it's going to help me a lot if I can make this happen as I've also never interviewed anyone before! I'll do my very best to follow your advice and if I manage to get some interviews and/or recordings I would be happy to share them with this site and you if you wanted I'm very grateful, thank you!
Hi Jenny. I would agree with Brian's comments above. Especially the part about neither being a Paxman or mubbling your way through it - very well put. If you have not interviewed someone before there are lots of books on interview techniques. Some are full of theory and rubbish but some have very practical tips. If you can get access to the nearest Uni library you will find a lot but your public library may have some. Here are some tips based on my experiences of doing interviews in other subject matters: Which ever type of recording device you are using I would suggest to set that up first thing and then, time permitting, try to break the ice before the interview proper starts. Allow them some time to get used to the camera and try to take their attention away from the camera. Show them some photos or something so they have something else to occupy their thoughts. Or even bring a cake (sounds trivial but cake works to relax people and break the ice!) Before the interview try to find out what the vet did (regiment, theatres served in, etc). You should not pretend to know more than you do (there is nothing worse then an "expert") but at the same time your questions should be informed. Even if it just involves a glance at the relevant Wikipedia page and obviously look to these forum pages too!!! In the interview let them do the work. Ask your question and wait. It may take a few minutes for them to respond. The main thing is that you may think they are finished answering a question when they are not. When you are a bit nervous or feel rushed it is instinctive to move on quickly to the next question if you think they are done. By doing this you may accidentally end up talking over them or not allowing them enough time to respond. If you take a pause after each answer you may end up getting more information (when there is a silence most people will naturally want to fill it by speaking - as much as possible let them be the ones to fill the silence). Long story short, take your time - make sure it is giving them a chance to tell their story and not just a quick fire Q and A session. In terms of your list of questions, by all means have them, but if it is their story you want, as opposed to research a specific topic, you should really only have these as a back up. Once you get started your only questions should be "can you tell me more about that" and "what happened next". But whatever questions you do have keep them short. There is nothing worse than a question that goes on for so long that the interviewee ends up with no idea what they have been asked (says Dave rambling!!!). It makes life easier on you too. If something gets upsetting or contentious change the subject to something more friendly or take a break. In the case of vets perhaps ask about their grandchildren (obviously be sure they have them first). It will usually bring a smile to their face. Finally and most importantly (I am sure you already know this). Be respectful and polite. While I am sure all of the members of the forum would appreciate seeing any work you do, be sure to first get explicit permission for how you will distribute this. I have only done audio interviews in the past and it looks like you will get excellent advice from Brian, but feel free to get in touch if you need any further advice. All the best, Dave
Dave, thank you very much for this! It's extremely helpful that everyone is contributing their knowledge in this topic, and I very much appreciate the advice and support. I'll be sure to get in contact if I have any further questions, thank you! It's comforting to know that I can have guidance from people more experience than myself in this topic. Jenny
