I’ve worked for Blot Magazine for four years, ever since I was a freshman. All I ever really did was design and I was scared to write a feature in Blot. It seemed so intimidating to hit the high word count, so I avoided it at all costs.
Back in March, when we were planning the last issue of Blot, I decided it was time to try it out. Not only would it be great to add to my portfolio, but I could further leave my mark on Blot as not only a designer, and Editor-in-Chief, but also a reporter.
Come to think of it, deciding what to write about wasn’t really an issue.
When I first was named Editor-in-Chief of Blot, I kept thinking about the Main Street Video Co-op in town and how a feature about them would serve the community well. I’ve always been a horror movie buff, and a want-to-be screenwriter, so I decided doing some reporting on a place that sells the very thing I love would be the perfect story.
But, I was scared at the beginning of the year, so I waited. I waited until the last issue of Blot to write this story for the publication I love.
Before COVID-19 happened, I remember going to the video store with my reporter notebook and phone recorder. I was shaking and nervous. I’m always nervous before interviewing a source. I wanted to do the best I could to make the store proud — to make myself proud.
I walked into the store with the films surrounding me, I was instantly drawn to the lights and the film playing on the screen. Connor O’Rourke, the manager, was waiting for my arrival and he was talking with a customer. While I was waiting, I scanned the horror film section. It had all my favorites: “Halloween,” “Saw,” “Leprechaun” and even “Scream.” I couldn’t help but smile looking at the collection of DVDs and this seemed to calm my nerves.
Once I spoke to Connor, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. I got so caught up in our discussion over the store, and films in general, that I got caught up in the moment. It was honestly one of the best interviews I’ve ever had for a story.
I left the store on a happy high. I literally found myself skipping back to my dorm in excitement for the feature I was about to write.
Then COVID-19 hit.
Everything seemed to change for Blot, our process on creating and doing work for the magazine turned upside down. I wasn’t sure how I was going to get more interviews, and that made me nervous. But I didn’t think about how the community was affected by COVID-19.
I remember talking about my feature to some of my student media friends one day, and they sent me a screenshot from Facebook about the video store’s closure.
I thought, how could this be happening? So, that’s when I decided to change my angle and not give up on this story.
The video store, I’ve learned through reporting, has been an important part of Moscow for years. It has continually brought the community together.
I wanted to write a memorial to celebrate what the store was to people. It wasn’t just a store — it was an experience. I feel like I truly felt that when I went to interview Connor that day. I got that sense of adventure, not by renting films, but by talking to a man who has worked there for four years. I lived that adventure through him.
So, this is my first and last story for Blot. In a way I’m sad I waited this long to write a story, but I’m so grateful that I got to write something so incredibly important to the community. Writing this story has put a special place in my heart for the video store and it sure is going to be hard to fill.
—Lindsay Trombly
Read Lindsay’s story about Main Street Video Co-op’s closure here: https://www.blotmagazine.com/?p=12597&preview=true&_thumbnail_id=12601