The key is to mark what time you’ll find the tape (so great tape at 2:23). It’s also a good idea to add as many details as possible – you might want to pull this tape in ten years, and a helpful log will always save you time.
Here’s an example:
Earthquake Vox Pop Log
NYC, 40th Street (in front of the Times Square Subway Stop)
August 24, 2011
Firstname Lastname
email@journalism.cuny.edu
Track 1 (Father and Son)
0:00: Q: Where were you
0:02: On subway , didn’t know it happened
0:05: Q: What was your reaction
0:08: pretty surprised, think of them happening in more mountainous areas or in the south
Track 2 (same people)
0:00: Q: Are you guys from NY?
0:04: We’re from Atlanta
Track 3 (same people) This is my best tape. They’re all wearing NYC Apple t-shirts, dad is holding a subway map upside down. They are so excited about the earthquake!
0:00: Q: What are you doing in NY?
0:04: son: It’s fun, lots of sights to see
(father repeats my question)
0:08: son : acting
0:13: Child expressing his surprise (mimicking father’s sentiment), “I said really? In NY? I wouldn’t think of an earthquake in NY!”
0:24 Q: Do you ever get earthquakes in Atlanta?
0:25 No, never.
Track 4 (2 teenage girls)
0:00 : Q: Where were you?
0:05 : In subway, I think we were in the Subway
0:12 : Really scared, first year in NY, I thought earthquakes were supposed to be in California
0:22: (friend speaking) Felt the same way, wondering when and where
0:29: Q: Do you know anyone who was affected by earthquake?
0:32 : I don’t
0:33: (friend speaking) At the bookstore she works at books fell off the shelf
Track 5 (Man from Peru)
0:00: Q: What do you think about the earthquake?
0:05: I speak a little English I’m sorry
0:07: (repeat question)
0:12: Ah I feel it, I feel it
0:14: Q: Where were you
0:16: In my room watching TV
0:21: Q: Did anything happen?
0:25: What’d you say?
0:27: Q:(repeats question)
0:33: Felt my bed move a little (makes moving sound effects)
0:44: Television “FLASH FLASH” earthquake right now
0:47: oh my god, me wake up, go outside to the street for security
0:53: Q: How did you feel? We’re you frightened
0:55: In my country, every two months there is an earthquake, here, 1st time. I’m here 17 years, no problem.
1:06: Q: Where are you from?
1:09: From Peru, South America
1:10: Q: There’s a lot of earthquakes there?
1:11: Yes.
1:14: Q. What do you do in your country when there is an earthquake?
1:16: What you say?
1:17: Q: (repeats question)
1:36: In my country it’s dangerous, everybody afraid, please God stop it, here, nothing.
Track 6 (Construction Worker)
0:00: Q: Where were you?
0:02: Right over here working
0:04: Q: And you didn’t feel anything?
0:05: No. LOG CONTINUES……
