dcbalzer · Oh my God: The Audio Doc

For 18 years, I gathered recordings, engaged with people on street corners, and interviewed experts—all inspired by a simple question: “When was the last time you said, ‘Oh my God’?” Using this phrase as a lens, the documentary examines personal beliefs, religious convictions, and cultural perspectives. It’s a thought-provoking story of how my understanding of the phrase has been reshaped.

THANK YOU to each person willing to share their story with a guy carrying a microphone!

Special thanks to Dr. Melissa Mohr, Dr. Sali Tagliamonte, Ali Mullin, Heather Hildebrand and Dr. Gordon Matties for offering long-form interviews.

Written, produced and narrated by David Balzer
Story editing by Ibby Caputo
Theme music by Jordan Jackiew
Voice acting by Eric Boorman
Mixing assistance by Darryl Neustaedter Barg

Listening Party, Feb 16...You're invited!

 

I Believe in Story Editors!

Her bio begins like this..."Ibby Caputo is an award-winning journalist based in the United Kingdom. She has reported on U.S. prisoners in Iran for the public radio show The World, on executions in Arkansas for Slate and on the gender pay gap for NPR and Boston Globe Magazine..."

A connection I made during my time at Duke University's Center for Documentary Studies, prompted a cold call email to Ibby in April of 2023. The experience of collaborating with her over the past 17 months has been transformative for me as a storyteller and person. I've become convinced about a lot things over these months, but one thing is for sure, no creative work happens without collaboration. If you want to make something, find someone to join you. Thank you, Ibby, for nurturing the vision I have carried for more than 18 years with this material. Thanks for helping me find the story in it. So grateful.

Audio Doc entered into BEA Festival of Media Arts

I just finished producing a 29-minute audio documentary. It's the culmination of 18 years of collecting tape, engaging countless people on street corners, finding experts and asking one question: When was the last time you said, “Oh my God”?  It’s been a remarkable journey of personal discovery through interviews, editing, writing, sound design and mixing. My collaborations included a story editor, a local composer and an audio colleague for a final mix.

The story contains five “chapters” that probe the phrase’s use in everyday conversations, landing on a surprising ending. The piece's uniqueness is found in how investigating one seemingly invisible yet ubiquitous phrase can become a catalyst for much larger considerations about how we live together in a world of differing views and convictions.

I just submitted the audio doc to the BEA Festival of the Arts, a large competition created by the Broadcast Education Association. I excited to receive feedback from peers!

Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University inspires!

Discovering the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University in North Carolina has propelled my project into its next phase!  From July 9-22, 2017 I spent two weeks collaborating with documentarians and basking in the creative mentorship of John Biewen--award-winning audio producer and Audrey Quinn--independent producer, journalist, and instructor at NYU's School of Journalism.

These intense and creative interactions have honed the next phase of my project.  Over the next 18 months, I'll be tracking down interviews, sifting through transcriptions and crafting a long-form audio documentary.

Short film finds its way into diverse audiences

From a university fall retreat, to a Friday night youth event in Morden, Manitoba, to a high school in Kitchener, Ontario, the short film is finding its way into diverse screening audiences.  As producer and director of the film, observing which elements of the film provoke and prod different audience segments is always a fascinating and privileged encounter.  What do international students from China living in Kitchener find compelling about the storyline?  What resonates with young adults attending university?  And why does the interview with a bride and groom just hours before their ceremony always prompt a knowing laugh?

Thanks to CMU Fall Retreat (Arnes, MB), Westside Community Church youth (Morden, MB) and Rockway Mennonite Collegiate (Kitchener, ON) for inviting these screenings.

Short film screens at McLuhan Conference

It was a true delight to screen the short film in a room full of McLuhan experts.  Among the audience were Marshall McLuhan's son and grandson, Eric and Andrew McLuhan, the keynote speakers at the conference.  Probing the themes of the film with this remarkable group proved to be invigorating.

L to R: Jonas Cornelsen, Andrew McLuhan, Eric McLuhan, David Balzer 

Short doc accepted into McLuhan Conference

On October 18-19, 2015, the short doc will be presented at the McLuhan's Faith and Works Conference, St. Paul's College, University of Manitoba.  This is a joint conference of the International Institute for the Study of Technology and Christianity (IISTC) and The Marshall McLuhan Initiative.  The conference will explore the importance of Marshall McLuhan's faith on his work.

The conference invited multimedia submissions in light of McLuhan's interest and commitment to making sense of the impact of many kinds of media.  I will be presenting the film and making the case that if we harness some of McLuhan's unique perspectives on faith, we discover a means of gaining particular spiritual insight into the use of the "oh my God" phrase in everyday talk.  McLuhan's perspectives make a far more robust understanding possible.

Short doc wins 1st place at film festival

When Was The Last Time You Said, "Oh my God"? won 1st place in the Short Doc category at the Winnipeg Real to Reel Film Festival. 

It was a real pleasure to interact with the audience in two screenings and to meet filmmakers like Catharine Parke, Very Good Dirt.  Thank you very much to Paul Boge and the festival team for creating this opportunity to share films!

Radio interview with CHVN 95.1FM about WR2R Film Festival

I had the privilege of speaking with Matt Veith from CHVN 95.1 FM in Winnipeg right after the second screening of the film on Saturday, Feb 21, 2015.  Listen here

Short doc premieres at Winnipeg Real to Reel Film Festival Feb 20-21

I'm excited to announce that the short documentary film (10 min), "When was the last time you said 'Oh my God'?" will premiere on February 20 and 21, 2015 at the Winnipeg Real to Reel Film Festival.  Screenings are Feb 20, 8:30pm and Feb 21, 8:00pm.  Visit the festival website for details.  Festival location is 1315 Gateway Road, NKMB Church.  I look forward to meeting you!

 

 

A few behind the scenes photos of the short doc filming

When you're doing street interviews and documentary-style production, there's intentionality mixed with a high degree of spontaneity.  Here are a few shots from behind the scenes.

If that looks like a super awesome microphone looking like it's set up in someone's clothes closet, then you're right!  We laid down some voice-tracks at Grant's place (Editor), and the best quality audio was if we diffused the space with lots of materials that can absorb sound.  Nice wardrobe, Grant. 

The opening and closing of the short doc was shot at Canadian Mennonite University in the beautiful historic building on the north side of the campus.  Fun fact...the photo frames on the walls are of graduated classes from the founding colleges.  My Dad's photo can be found in one of those frames from the late 50's.  Kind of cool to be taping a film that leans on the legacy of creativity my parents instilled in me during their many years of radio broadcasting.

 

 

Winnipeg Jets FanFest

I was in line early Saturday morning, Sept 20, at the MTS IcePlex along with a couple thousand other Winnipeg Jets fans to take in the first public training camp sessions. It was a great day at the inaugural FanFest great!  Dennis Beyak, TSN3 play-by-play announcer,  was delivering some great interviews on the main stage with Andrew Ladd, Mark Stuart and others.

Next weekend, I'll be on deck with a few player interviews of my own at the MTS Centre for the film.  Can't wait!

Gave us an interview on their wedding day!

Grant (Director of Photography) and I started out our Saturday at the University of Manitoba to revisit where my curiosity with people's use of "Oh my God" first began.  Then we headed to the Legislative Buildings.  At the Legislature we came upon a wedding party photo session and were able to "crash" the event (with permission).

We ended up interviewing the bride and groom an hour before their wedding ceremony.  Their wedding car was a beautiful 1963 Ford!  What do you think they said when we asked them about the last time they said "Oh my God"?!  Thanks to the happy couple for being so generous with us!

 

Can't wait to get this interview into the film.  Spent the rest of the day all over the city talking to Winnipeggers.

Toronto street interviews

During a crisp weekend in late January 2013, my videographer, Grant Hoeppner, and I hit the streets of Toronto to shoot some footage as a pilot project for the "Oh my God" concept.  It's been a while since I had so much fun!  The stories we heard were riveting, hilarious and gut-wrenching.  We got a lot more than pilot footage.  Thanks to everyone who was willing to respond to our question, "When was the last time you said, 'Oh my God'?  Enjoy the video.

U of T linguistics professor explains role of teens in language change

Our weekend of video taping in Toronto in January 2013, began with a visit to University of Toronto's linguistics department.  During my academic reading about language variation I discovered Dr. Sali Tagliamonte and her fascinating investigation of words such as 'like' in everyday usage.  My research had me curious about the role of female pre-teens in language change in society.  A highlight for me was when I got the chance to test my hunch with Dr. Tagliamonte.  Her expertise in sociolinguistics had a lot to offer an understanding of Oh my God in everyday talk.  Here's just a fraction of the interview with Dr. Tagliamonte.

Logo launches!

Logo launches!  Welcome to the mind of Girish Manuel...

Promo video shoot

Grant Hoeppner, videographer at work during shoot of promo video.  Beautiful summer evening in Winnipeg on the campus of Canadian Mennonite University.