Record a Plastic Memories Interview

GoodGym Community Mission: Record a Plastic Memories Interview

GoodGym is supporting See Through News / STTogether, a nonprofit storytelling project that helps ordinary people share real-life experiences in simple video form.

For this mission, we want to capture short interviews with older people about how everyday life worked before plastic became so common. These memories can help people today think differently about waste, reuse, packaging, shopping, and practical ways of living with less plastic.

You do not need to be a filmmaker. A simple, clear smartphone interview is enough.

What you need to do Find one older person who is happy to take part. Record a short interview on your smartphone. Keep it natural, friendly, and clear. Then send in the raw video.

Interview length Please keep the recording to 5 to 10 minutes maximum.

Before you start Please make sure the person: • is happy to be filmed • understands the video may be shared publicly as part of this nonprofit project • is comfortable answering a few simple questions

At the start of the video, please ask them to say:

“My name is [first name], and I’m happy for this interview to be recorded and used by See Through News / STTogether.”

How to film • Hold your phone horizontally • Film in a quiet place • Keep the phone steady • Make sure the person can be seen clearly • Make sure they can be heard clearly • Please record one simple continuous interview if possible

Ask these questions 1. What do you remember about shopping before plastic became common? 2. What did people use instead of plastic bags, bottles, or packaging? 3. How was food stored, carried, or reused in those days? 4. Do you think people wasted less then? Why? 5. What could people today learn from the way things were done before?

Helpful follow-up prompts • Can you give an example? • What did people use instead? • How did that work in practice? • Did people repair and reuse more? • What feels different today?

Please avoid • filming in a noisy place • interrupting or talking over the person • making the video too long • adding music, effects, or fancy editing • filming anyone else unless they are happy to appear

What to send Please send: • the raw video file • the interviewee’s first name if they are happy to share it • their approximate age • the location • your name

Where to send it Please upload or send the video here: TBA

The main thing A real memory, clearly recorded, is more useful than a polished film.

If you want a shorter version for a GoodGym task page, here it is:

Record a 5–10 minute smartphone interview with an older person about how everyday life worked before plastic became common. Ask a few simple questions, get consent on camera, and send in the raw video for See Through News / STTogether.