Instead of boring everyone with paragraphs of information, we decided to style it the 'ole Frequently Asked Questions way.
Listed below are the questions we cover, feel free to click & jump around!
How and where did you get all those interviews?!
How long did it take to get the interviews?
What did you tell them to talk about? Did you ask questions?
How much editing was involved?
Why did you only interview students?
Where did you get the idea from?
Why did you include a Google map of tattoo shops?
Is there a deeper meaning behind the project and its goal?
How and where did you get all those interviews?! back to top
We reserved a kiosk in the Johnson Center (free to students) for a week and harassed the passers-by about tattoos. Kiosks can be reserved in Student Centers located in the Johnson Center, Room 324. Click here for additional information.
How long did it take to get the interviews? back to top
Not as long as you’d think. People were very receptive to what we were putting together, and literally everyone with a tattoo seemed willing to discuss it. The process of getting raw footage together took about five days; two hours a day at the kiosks.
What did you tell them to talk about? Did you ask questions? back to top
We tended to only guide them if they seemed unsure about what to say. Most tattoos carry a specific meaning to the individual, and this was often reflected in the interviews. Questions were only posed in generalities, such as “what can you tell us about your tattoos?” or “What was the experience like?”
How much editing was involved? back to top
We wanted everything to be as real and true confession style as possible. We didn’t want to feed them anything, or edit in some magical transitions to take you from beginning to end. We didn’t want to edit their message at all.
That being said; more than you might assume. Final Cut Pro was the film editing software available to us, and I am certifiably Mac-illiterate. The editing took us easily triple the time it took to actually conduct the interviews. We mainly only cut down some people’s times and the few inappropriate instances. But the end product was well worth the time spent.
Why did you only interview students? back to top
Keeping the interviews to just students lent the project a common thread for these people to relate with each other on. This common thread shows in the developing sense of community illustrated in the online discussions they’ve been having.
Where did you get the idea from? back to top
The Washington Post’s OnBeing series served as an inspiration for these short but decidedly intimate video blurbs. This medium allowed people not only an outlet to show off the beautiful artwork on their bodies, but also a soapbox with which they could voice their opinions on the subject.
Why create a social network? back to top
To create a place where these people could get together to share pictures, stories, music and more. Such sites currently exist, but none have a focus on this wonderfully colorful subculture; and the primary focus on GMU students could allow people of similar interests to find one another and make some friends on campus. So basically, we did it for the good of mankind.
Why did you include a Google map of tattoo shops? back to top
This feature allowed us to transcend the typical boundaries of a social network site; it made us a resource as well. People in the area that are interested in getting tattoos can not only find a shop in the area, but they can communicate with others who have actually gotten work done there. This resource allows users to make informed decisions.
Is there a deeper meaning behind the project and its goal? back to top
Absolutely: This project is a lot about debunking myths about people who get tattoos and why they get them. We hope to help with the evolution and respect for tattoos.
As of right now, most businesses have some form of dress code that addresses the topic of tattoos in the work place. The only way to change that is to change the opinions of the employers.
This project really took on a life of its own. It will be interesting to see where this social network steers itself long after we our “A.” Ideally, it will continue to serve as a place to meet people – a place to gain inspiration - a place to call our own.