With Frankie Ray
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the essentials of setting up and recording oral history interviews with both video and audio. We will cover how to prepare a recording environment, assemble and test a recording rig, and troubleshoot common technical challenges. Beyond capturing the interview itself, participants will gain practical skills in file transfer, organization, and archival best practices, ensuring that valuable stories are safely preserved for long-term use. Participants will practice setting up tripods, microphones, and recorders, then conduct short mock interviews to apply these skills in real time. Cameras available to participants will be Sony FX6, Canon XA40, Blackmagic and JVC 3CCD. The session will conclude with a focus on safe file management: offloading to a computer, creating backups, and preparing files for the archive. No prior technical experience is required; this workshop is designed for anyone interested in documenting, preserving, and safeguarding oral history materials.
What we’ll do:
§ Why technical setup matters for oral history
§ Demonstrate a short 10-minute oral history video/audio project from our archives
§ Equipment set up: build camera & mics
§ File offload and management for editing
§ Best Practices in Archiving Audio- and Videofiles
§ Tear down gear and put it back safely
Perks:
§ Everyone gets to touch gear
§ Make a check list for oral history kit for everyone to take home
Frankie Ray is a Montreal-based videographer and DJ, with professional experience across music festivals, music videos, and film productions, including Netflix, HBO, the NFB and Crave. Trained as a certified 2nd Assistant Camera in ICG669/IATSE, Frankiebrings both technical expertise and creative insight to their work. Outside of their personal work, Frankiehas always put a focus on accessible, hands-on training. At COHDS, Frankie combines their professional background with a commitment to supporting researchers, artists, and storytellers in capturing and preserving stories with care and technical confidence.
REGISTRATION
Please note that all our events are free and open to all, but you need to register!
This technical workshop has a maximum number of sixteen participants. To have your name added to our waiting list once this maximum number is reached, please contact: cohds.chorn@concordia.ca
LOCATION
In-person in the COHDS Media Lab (LB-1042).
You will find us on the tenth floor of Concordia’s Library Building, 1450 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Montreal, Quebec.
COHDS/ALLAB is located on unceded Kanien’kehá:ka territory, in Tiohtiá:ke/Montreal.
