Deconstructing History: Recent Episodes
Michael Baker
In today's episode I am joined by actor, writer and producers Barry Duffield (Spartacus, Xena Warrior Princess and Full Throttle: The Ernie Williams Story) and Ova Saopeng (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tide, Go to Sleep a Lao Ghost Story and Warsol an the Scarlet Bamboo which is in preproducrion)
We talk about the Hollywood side of making historic tv shows and movies, what it is like working on set, the role of an actor and producer, and why historic movies get made the way they do.
Also make sure to check out Barry Duffield's World War II-Werewolf comic book Deadman's Land .
and
See Ova Saopang in the horror short Go to Sleep: A Lao Ghost Story and his work with TeAda productions and their upcoming show Master of Currents.
In today's episode we talk to Historian and Black Living History Interpreter Marvin-Alonzo Greer. We discuss the black reenacting experience, racism and white supremacy in the hobby, being a reenactor vs living historian, and how to grow the community of reenactors of color.
Marvin also known as MAG the Historian ( https://magthehistorian.com/) is also one of the leads for the Sons and Daughters of HAM and the Hannibal Guard, two leading black living history groups.
On today's episode, I talk with Dr. Erika Briesacher, Associate Professor of History at Worcester State University. We discuss public history, and where reenacting falls under this academic study, try to tackle the reenactor-academia divide. We also talk briefly about material culture,statues, and historic movies.
Help support Dr. Briesacher's research on the material culture of masks during pandemics, by taking this survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzBSfC_naZst6vi3-C3JMZ4hyITzfI5Hy7dIRGtTZLNVuE9Q/viewform
In this episode I will be starting a series on conducting research. I will briefly explain a basic framework for research methodology, and go into some detail on the first step, developing an interest or research topic. My hope is that this episode will help guide new reenactors into developing their own research methodology, or to understand what is meant by "go do your research."
Some of the excellent research methods book mentioned in this episode are:
Rampolla, M. L. (2020). A Pocket Guide to Writing in History (Tenth edition). Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Storey, W. K. (2012). Writing History: A Guide for Students (4th edition). Oxford University Press.
Williams, R. C. (2019). The Historian’s Toolbox: A Student’s Guide to the Theory and Craft of History (4th edition). Routledge.
Yin, R. K. (2017). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th edition). SAGE Publications, Inc.
In this episode we continue talking to Matt (The Agincourt Soldier), Ari (The Turnip of Terror), Nadeem (Eran Ud Turan), and Andy and Caroline(Legio III). We talk about the trials and hurdles faced when crafting a portrayal and reenacting. We also talk a little about dream projects, and lessons learned over the years.
In our first episode, we talk to our panel Matt Blazek (The Agincourt Soldier, the Popham Soldier, and How Two Medieval), Ari (The Turnip of Terror, and How Two Medieval), Nadeem Ahmad (Eran Ud Turan), Caroline Bigelow (Legio III Cyrenaica, and the Massachusetts DAR), and Andy Volpe (Legio III Cyrenaica, Company of the Wolfe Argent, and Salem Traynd Band). In our discussion, we discover what inspired them to get into reenacting, how do they conceptualize their portrayal, and what does "do your research mean?