Expectations

When I first read the description for the course, I thought that we were going to visit elderly veterans that were in care at the VA Hospital. I expected to interview someone like my grandpa, a World War II veteran who fought on the front lines, was injured several times during the war, lost a brother, but came back home, worked hard and started a large, loving family. It didn't occur to me until we started the course that the person we interview could be a younger veteran or someone who didn't have a combat position.
Originally I thought that I would ask about this person's harrowing experiences while at war and his strong will and set of values that he carried home with him. I wanted to relate to an older perspective and shape it to describe duty and honor to my generation. I realize now that I may find that this veteran joined the military for reasons other than a feeling of duty. This person may not agree with the war they served during, or may have been disillusioned by what he has experienced.
Now, I really have no expectations about our interview. I want to be very specific with my questions, but also wide ranging so that I can get a full picture of what is important to this man. After I've discovered what is important to him and to me as well, I can better decide the form that the animation will take.
I had also expected to dread the interview, to feel very uncomfortable or scared to meet this person. I had assumed that we would talk about heavy topics of war and loss, but I want to touch on all aspects of this person's life. Instead of dreading the interview, I'm really becoming excited about meeting this person, finding out a bit about him and choosing how to tell his story in a compelling way.