The first view of the archives

Today we finally got access to the archives, and began real serious work on our documentary. We finished the first interview with Jochen, getting the importance of the DNA and what they need to succeed. We then moved on by interviewing Renata, who is the meta data expert for the project. For those of you who don't know meta data is basically the piece of information attached to the audio file, image, video, or any file really that lets the user know what it is, who is in it, and makes it searchable by keyword. Listening to her explain the real challenge behind the DNA and the metadata was something we did not expect. The people that are available to identify most of the subjects in the older photographs, are dead or dying, and the youth here are oblivious to the existence of any items in the photographs. So even after they get the items archived, there is a great change that nobody will know what it is, or what the significance may be!

After this we headed to meet Werner in the archives and begin learning what we are up against.. we are facing literally rows of cassette tapes from the NBC archives as well as classical records, from church groups and other organizations. Important historical recordings from the past on Reel to Reel, and we have currently 3 tape decks. Each tape is roughly 120 minutes recorded, and transcribing or digitizing audio happens in real time.... therefore we have roughly 7 working days to get the audio digitized, and as much metadata as possible added to it, and get it added to the DNA server. My guess from looking is probably 500 if not more, and that isn't including the oral history they had recorded.. 3 decks running 8 hours a day gives us a possibility of 60 maybe 70 cassettes. This is not a task 4 audio students can handle. Instead we are going to set up documentation on the exact processes and use of equipment, what equipment will be needed, and train the staff of the National Archive on the equipment. Then working with them we will digitize and enter data on as many tapes as possible. If all goes well we will leave behind the skill to finish this daunting task, and get their cassettes digitized. Once those are completed, they can begin doing the reels and records, which should preserve better than the cassettes have.

After lunch we decided to hunt for equipment in a local antique shop. We found a Telefunken TD11 microphone which hopefully will be given a price to us soon. Other than that we found Kovambo tribe wood carvings at an extraordinarily cheap price, basically $9 american a piece, (the fabricated ones in town are sold for $40-50 U.S.) I also found some gorgeous cork coasters from old british pubs (they seem to be from the '50s).

After a long day of work we decided to unwind at Prima, a sports bar across town where they were showing Uruguay vs. Netherlands, I never fancied myself a soccer fan, but I have to admit the games here pull me in. It must be the atmosphere and excitement of the people. The Netherlands played a solid game and beat Uruguay and we ended the day eating Kudu jerky and trying to relax. All in all another great day in Namibia, hopefully the next few weeks will prove to stay so incredible.