The latest edition of the Studio News has been published. If you are not on the e-Letter list, you can subscribe at your convenience. And of course, you can opt out at any time. You can read the latest issue online, here.
Brent
New oral history interview posted
I’ve mentioned several times the oral histories I have been recording at Otterbein Homes. Today, you can listen to one that had a big impact on me.
Gertrude Bloede was 99 when I interviewed her in September. She passed away November 1st. Gertrude spent 30 years in the mission field in Africa and Red Bird Mission in Kentucky, serving as a midwife and nurse. Gertrude was sharp as a tack, and I was blown away at how she could remember and pronounce names of people she met and served in Africa 50 years ago. Her laughter was contagious, and passion filled her voice.
You can listen to Gertrude’s story in Sound/Otterbein Stories.
The profoundness of what we do
As a journalist, a documentary photographer, and independent producer, I relish in helping others tell their stories. That takes many forms and methods.
For the past couple of months, I’ve been recording oral histories for a customer, Otterbein, a retirement community that does much more. My subjects have been men and women who have volunteered to tell the stories of their lives. Of course, there are plans for these materials to show the “Spirit of Otterbein,” the people who live and work at an incredible organization at nine locations in the state of Ohio.
The very first interview was Gertrude Bloede. I never met a woman with such a sharp mind. She could rattle off details and names of individuals in Africa like it was yesterday rather than the actual 60 years ago. She was a joy. Her stories were profound and entertaining. And, her laughter was music to the ears.
When I learned of her passing, I was working on the project with my customer and playing the portion of video that was her interview, when they said, “You know, Gertrude passed away last week.” I was very moved … and for a couple of reasons. I had hoped to go back and visit Gertrude to show her what we did. I speak about Gertrude when I tell others about this project and how important it is to do oral histories. All of a sudden, this interview, Gertrude’s interview took on a new meaning.
Her passing is a reminder to me why I do this. I help others tell their stories. I am fairly confident that I am the last person to record a conversation with Gertrude. Oh sure, she talked with plenty of other individuals, but I recorded ours. It is preserved for as long as the digital media can be saved. I sent the family an audio CD of the full interview for their family history, and of course a copy of the photo.
Every now and then, an event, a transition in the circle of life gives credence to what we do. Rest in peace, Gertrude, and thank you for what you taught me in our short time together and the preservation of that moment in time. I have been blessed in meeting you.
Brent
Looking for those motorcycle videos?
As I continue to develop the content for the web site, one of my concerns is how to display all of those videos I produced at Sojourn Chronicles, and how will you find them. Well, take a look over at the sidebar and you’ll see a YouTube box for Sojourn Chronicles. All the videos are there, and you can subscribe to the channel when more are produced. Here is the full channel address: http://www.youtube.com/user/SojournChronicles.
Brent
New page for the Banner Photo
I like a dynamic web site—one that changes regularly. All too often, I visit a web site to find that nothing is changed, or at least it looks like nothing has changed, or the last time it was changed was 2008. One of the methods I use to combat this static impression is to change the banner photo.
Changing the banner photo gives it a fresh look. Occasionally, someone asks about the photo I choose, and so I have created a page to give a little info. It’s like that blurb you find in a magazine about the cover photo. Here’s my blurb about the Banner Photo.
Brent
Web site changes now underway
If you’ve been paying attention for the past week or so, you’ve noticed some changes. Here is where it’s going: All new content will be published at DBrentMiller.com in new formats. Sojourn Chronicles, which has been primarily my travel related site, will be phased out by March, 2011. Don’t fret, there will be some motorcycle travel stories published along with other content.
Here is the basic format for content of DBrentMiller.com.
Home
The Home page is a static landing page designed to be changed regularly. Blog posts will not change the appearance of this page. Home will feature photography, articles or sound stories and point to other items on the site as new content is added.
Blog
This is one of the biggest changes. Rather than posting stories or photography in the Blog, you’ll be getting notes to readers, activities, event coverage and commentary perhaps pointing to other pages on the web site or Internet. This is the only page that scrolls as new content is added—it’s a blog.
Words & Images
Also a big change. Here, you will find published stories of travel or event coverage worthy of a magazine article, because that’s exactly what they will look like—a page right out of a magazine. And, what if you want to read a story on your e-book reader or iPad? Download away. That’s the plan.
Sound
Although audio productions are nothing new to my work, they have been an increasing part of the storytelling in the past couple of years. AND, it’s only going to get bigger. Here, you can listen to the interviews, conversations and stories produced specifically for audio or radio consumption. In the future, some of these stories will be available as a download from iTunes so that you can take the stories with you while walking, hiking, biking, motorcycling, or looking for something different on the radio while driving.
Store
Last, but not least, a store where you can buy one of those images that you said should be hanging on a wall. Perhaps your wall? Or, maybe a book?
Whew! That’s a lot of change. BUT WAIT, there’s more. To make sure you get the latest, subscribe to the RSS feed—e-mail by Feedburner—to get these updates in your inbox when they are created. Second, if you haven’t already, sign up for the DBrent Studio News. This opt-in e-letter is sent regularly with other announcements and occasionally coupons for the store.
Thanks for reading, and as always, I’ll see you on the highway.
Brent