Torch Theatre has launched an exciting project which will see the community come together following a particularly difficult year, to share their stories and memories of life in Pembrokeshire.
In addition to a professional team of artists who are capturing and interpreting memories of Pembrokeshire life through different art forms, an invitation also goes out to our young people, to connect with their grandparents or older relatives to capture and submit stories (perhaps untold until now) which will be transformed into treasured pieces of history.
Everyone has a story to tell
A story might be something as simple as how life has changed over the years or it might be a special event that someone would want to remember. So often these stories remain as legends within our own families and this is a chance to share them with the world. A good way to start is by going through some photographs which will trigger various memories.
Capturing history for future generations
The inspiration behind the project originated from the Torch Theatre’s Artistic Director, Peter Doran, who, whilst caring for his father who was suffering with Covid-19 at the start of the pandemic in 2020, encouraged him to elaborate on stories which previously he had only touched on in passing.
Peter said,
“My father told us of his time as an evacuee, having been sent from his home in Liverpool to the Welsh speaking village of Llanberis in North Wales. It was a fascinating tale and one that we might never have heard about had it not been for Covid-19. We’re all so busy, I feel we just don’t spend enough time with each other to allow these wonderful moments to happen.”
Peter’s father has thankfully gone on to make a full recovery from Covid-19 and is continuing to tell many more stories.
The Pembrokeshire Story Living Archive
The Pembrokeshire Story project is being led by Tenby based creative James Williams who is working with a team of freelance artists to capture extraordinary stories in different mediums from across the county.
These stories will form the core of a Living Archive on the Pembrokeshire Story website (launched later this month) and the community created stories will later be added to create an ever growing ‘human library’.
It is hoped that these stories will also form the core of a multimedia theatre production at Torch Theatre in the future.
Will you create a piece of Pembrokeshire’s history?
Do you have friends or relatives in your family who have a fascinating stories to share?
Can you spare some time to capture their story for the world to enjoy?
Read on for tips on how to do it…
How to capture your story
FORMAT: Your story needs to be captured digitally and can be in the form of:
- A short video
- A voice recording
- A series of photographs with accompanying written or audio words
LENGTH: Each story should be no longer than 5 minutes long
LANGUAGE: English or Welsh
TECHNICAL THINGS TO CONSIDER:
Video
- When filming, hold your phone or camera in a landscape position
- Try to limit background noise that may cause the story to be unclear
- If filming outside or near a window, make sure bright light is shining on the person (rather than into your camera)
- Try to find somewhere to place your phone/prop to minimise camera movement (or use a tripod)
- Attempt to frame the person you are recording capturing just their head and shoulders (so you can see their facial expression clearly)
- Film a few seconds of the person speaking first to make sure your microphone is close enough for them to be heard (or use a lapel mic of you have access to one)
Voice recording
- Try to limit background noise that may cause the story to be unclear
- Record a few seconds of the person speaking first to make sure your microphone is close enough for them to be heard (or use a lapel mic of you have access to one)
Photographs
- Make a copy of old photographs by lying them down on a flat surface and taking a photograph with your camera held as horizontally as possible (or use a scanner)
- Crop the photos you take to remove unwanted background so just the photo frame remains
How to submit your story
The best way to send your stories is via WeTransfer – follow the instructions below when you submit your file. For further technical guidance, email marketing@torchtheatre.co.uk
