3 Things I Learned About Interviewing Family Members Over the Phone To Collect BRCA1 Data
I'm working on a video about our family's genetic predisposition to cancer.
To add depth and credibility, I wanted to talk to family members on the phone and record our calls. We've already talked by email, but I want their voices in the video. I know how to operate a phone, and a tape recorder, and carry on conversations with other humans, but ask me to do all of those things at once? Yikes!
Here’s what I learned:
Pause longer than you think. When I replayed my chat with Mary, I realized I laughed over her best line!
Go beyond sound bites. Asking Melody to talk through everything led to new insights. (Note to self: For a future video, do this with Mary too!)
Record calls easily: Use speakerphone and a digital recorder. In the future I may upgrade to an interview-specific app, but for these first interviews, this was simple and effective.
If you've been thinking about conducting interviews with your family, maybe these tips will help you.
The video about our family's BRCA1 genetic variant is shaping up to be more than just a collection of facts - it's becoming a meaningful story of our family's experiences. It would not be the same without these ladies' voices.