Where can I source stories from strangers for a project?
October 2, 2022 6:11 PM Subscribe
How did This American Life find its stories before it was famous? I have a project idea, and I want to source stories from strangers, but not sure where to start.
I want to hear stories from people about objects that they've gotten rid of in an impulse, and then later regretted it, and it continues to irk them, like a nagging regret that keeps you up at night. I have something like this in my life, and feel like I must not be the only one. The object is inconsequential, but it is a reflection of some emotional issues I need to process and deal with.
I'd like to interview other people about their objects, most likely over the phone, or even just receive an audio recording from them. I'm not sure what the final project will be, possibly an audio story, podcast, short film, something in that realm. I think it will become more clear once I start gathering the stories.
Where should I go to source these stories? What are some avenues people have used?
ps. feel free to dm me if you have a story to share!
I want to hear stories from people about objects that they've gotten rid of in an impulse, and then later regretted it, and it continues to irk them, like a nagging regret that keeps you up at night. I have something like this in my life, and feel like I must not be the only one. The object is inconsequential, but it is a reflection of some emotional issues I need to process and deal with.
I'd like to interview other people about their objects, most likely over the phone, or even just receive an audio recording from them. I'm not sure what the final project will be, possibly an audio story, podcast, short film, something in that realm. I think it will become more clear once I start gathering the stories.
Where should I go to source these stories? What are some avenues people have used?
ps. feel free to dm me if you have a story to share!
I do oral history recordings in my community. Often I already know a demographic for a project, and for me, it is often older people. Your project sounds like something that could come from anyone. And it would be hard to guess who would have a story without asking.
One thing you could do, in addition to asking friends, is to always have a recording device ready, maybe a lav mic that plugs into your phone. One of the outputs of our work is printed books, having them makes it easier to explain to people what we are doing and get them interested. You can also try going to a place with a captive audience, like a senior rec center. Or maybe some place where people are likely to be bored.
Maybe there is also a place to find people seeking specific items, like a message board or forum? Maybe there would be people there trying to replace something that they regret getting rid of. Maybe garage sales or flea markets would be good places to ask strangers about this, since people are in the process of looking for or getting rid of stuff.
posted by snofoam at 7:01 PM on October 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
One thing you could do, in addition to asking friends, is to always have a recording device ready, maybe a lav mic that plugs into your phone. One of the outputs of our work is printed books, having them makes it easier to explain to people what we are doing and get them interested. You can also try going to a place with a captive audience, like a senior rec center. Or maybe some place where people are likely to be bored.
Maybe there is also a place to find people seeking specific items, like a message board or forum? Maybe there would be people there trying to replace something that they regret getting rid of. Maybe garage sales or flea markets would be good places to ask strangers about this, since people are in the process of looking for or getting rid of stuff.
posted by snofoam at 7:01 PM on October 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
In the past I've heard about e-mail lists used by journalists looking for people who have had certain experiences. The idea is that they would reach people on the list, or people known to the people on the list. I don't know if there's a way to tap into that sort of network. Maybe some journalists on Metafilter would know.
In another direction: my town has a Facebook group with about 5,000 members. We regularly get posts along the lines of, "I'm a journalism student at X University, working on a story about Y. If you have an opinion about Y, please contact me."
posted by Winnie the Proust at 7:06 PM on October 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
In another direction: my town has a Facebook group with about 5,000 members. We regularly get posts along the lines of, "I'm a journalism student at X University, working on a story about Y. If you have an opinion about Y, please contact me."
posted by Winnie the Proust at 7:06 PM on October 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
Local history groups on Facebook?
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:29 PM on October 2, 2022
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:29 PM on October 2, 2022
Word of mouth through Facebook groups for sure! Make a post in your neighbourhood group - be fairly specific - and someone will know someone.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:21 PM on October 2, 2022
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:21 PM on October 2, 2022
A little over nine years ago I got a memail right here on metafilter from someone asking to interview me for an NPR show about a comment I made. Nothing ever happened with it but to answer your question: right here, apparently. Go trawling through old asks and then shoot off messages to folks who have shared stories that interest you.
posted by phunniemee at 8:31 PM on October 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by phunniemee at 8:31 PM on October 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
Libraries are great for this! Post on the community board and ask if they have any groups you could approach. I would also reach out to the senior center. They are always happy to pass along opportunities to talk about yourself and be interviewed to members.
posted by Bottlecap at 11:12 PM on October 2, 2022
posted by Bottlecap at 11:12 PM on October 2, 2022
You might find some stories for commiseration here: The Three Things series asks people 3 questions including, 'The thing [you] most regret losing'.
posted by lulu68 at 12:01 AM on October 3, 2022
posted by lulu68 at 12:01 AM on October 3, 2022
Providing a specific resource to Winnie the Proust’s suggestion, you could try Help A Reporter Out.
posted by emkelley at 4:50 AM on October 3, 2022
posted by emkelley at 4:50 AM on October 3, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by coffeecat at 6:16 PM on October 2, 2022