An oral history is the audio/video collection and presentation of an interviewee’s life and memories. It is life from YOUR perspective and showcases the events and concepts you believe are important and were instrumental in your development. This oral history collection is also concerned with our Cajun identity.

Your interview will be scheduled and held at your home. We will arrive in the morning. You can do your cooking tutorial first or your oral history, it is completely up to you. You will sign your release form(s).

Oral History: We will set up lights and a camera and give you a clip on microphone. You will be asked the questions on the question form. If you do not wish to answer a question, you can state “next question” and we will move on. If you wish something to be redacted, tell us afterwards and we will make note of it.

Cooking Tutorial: Have your ingredients prepared (thawed, chopped, etc.) and ready to go. There will be a camera and lights set up by your stove/burner. I will film your ingredients and you cooking your dish step by step. Once your dish is complete, I will plate it and take a photo and video.

B Roll: B Roll is a term used to classify supplemental content for a film. Examples include a closeup of you putting ingredients into a pot, or if you’re talking about your family, a video or photo of your family would show on the screen.

Photos: The oral histories are more elaborate and thoughtful when full of B Roll and photos that provide visual context to demonstrate what you are talking about. Please have some photos you would like to include ready. We will take pictures of them to be included in your video. We also want a photo of you from your filming day.

Handwritten Recipe: We would like to include a handwritten recipe of your dish, complete with ingredients and steps. Please have this ready whenever we arrive.

You will need to narrate your cooking tutorial. I will show you the footage and B Roll of ingredients and steps. Please be as descriptive and informative as possible. We will record your audio.

Your release form will include all of your contact information that we will store. You will be required to sign a release form to release the content to us, so that it can be edited and presented online. There are optional releases on the form that you may opt out of if desired

This release form is for the submission of your full oral history to the Center for Louisiana Studies’ archive, where historians and researchers will have access to it. You can redact information or names. This is entirely optional, but highly encouraged.

Ya MeeMaw’s Magnalite Collection currently does not offer financial compensation for those featured on the project.