Audio Time Capsule Interviews

2021-11-19

A series of interviews on reflection, providing a snapshot of a life as it is for an audio time capsule. The most ambitious and meaningful project experience so far.

This project has been one of the most fulfilling personal projects i've worked on yet. Through the pandemic and life changes I've recently experienced, I felt a need to reconnect with people and have authentic meaningful experiences. I've listened to podcasts for a while and always felt inspired by the artistry of the producers that make impactful stories and the feelings they evoke. I decided to try and do it, but with my own twist.

Concept:

I knew I wanted to do a time capsule, one that would provide a snapshot of a life as it was. I came up with questions that I thought people want to hear about in the future. The questions I choose were deliberate and intentional. I debated on if I would tell the subjects the questions ahead of time if they asked, but I decided not to, to maintain the authenticity. I didn't want a prepared, practiced, response.

I had three main objectives:

Produce a tangible deliverable through sending an audio recording time capsule
Act as a catalyst for self reflection
Initiate and hold space for an experience of meaningful dialogue

Experience:

I've never done a project like this before, much less interview anyone. Initially I was only going to do this for a few close friends, about five interviews. But after the first few, I learned that I was decent at talking and interviewing people in this kind of context. I started to find it fulfilling and enjoyed it so much, I kept continuing to interview more and more people. The more I did it, the more I enjoyed it. I learned about others, I learned about myself, I learned to hold space.

Process:

Created list of questions, with a checklist of things to go over and explain before recording a subject. Used cloud storage to access and update the files on the go.
Being proactive about asking and scheduling interview times, it helped to be confident and reassuring when asking if people wanted to participate. Put it in my phone calendar, a meeting notice was sent in some cases.
Used the Zoom H4n Pro to record in the field
Interview. I am keeping the exact questions confidential, known only to those to participate. But the overall theme is self reflection providing a comprehensive audio log of the current moment in a persons life.
Use the DAW Reaper to edit the audio file, checking for levels, peaks, smooth transitions.
Render the file.
Store the file in a cloud based storage, and schedule send an email for the future.

Outcome:

Stats:

Interviewed over 25 people over 5 months
For over 40 Hours of total recorded interview audio
Conducted interviews in 4 different states
Most interviews were about 1.5 hours
Some interviews ran up to over 2.5 hours

Technical:

Figured out how to send hours long audio files, up to 100MB, scheduled for 5 years in advance
Learned the technical aspects of recording good audio in the field
Learned editting audio interviews in a DAW
Coordinated and scheduled interviews, locations, times

Results:

Learned how to navigate through different levels of interviewee openness
About 85% of interviews I requested were interested and decided to do it, most were curious, some were a little hesitant
Based on feedback, the interview subjects enjoyed or found the expereience fulfilling.
Felt fulfilled and seems to have made a meaningful difference in peoples lives

Future:

I want to continue doing this project, I'm not sure what changes or forms it may take. But I do know I want it to grow and change. Initially, the project was split into two phases. Phase one was during my travels along the west coast and Hawaii, that was the intended end. But I felt fulfillment from doing it and so I started phase two, which was done while back in Seattle. What might be next for phase 3?

Whatever form it takes, I know I want to keep doing it.