Interview Technique
The technique of interviewing for television is very different from that used by journalists who work in the medium of print. Newspaper journalists are able to conduct their interviews over the telephone or in some quiet corner accompanied by nothing more technical than a drink, pencil and notebook or miniature tape-recorder. The occasion can be formal or informal to suit, with questions asked and clarification sought in any manner which seems appropriate. Questions and answers do not have to be grammatical or follow a logical path, for once back at the keyboard the journalist can tidy up the product and make it fit any desired shape.
The television reporter’s work is nothing if not public. At the very least the interview is conducted in the presence of one technician with the camera, which immediately creates an air of artificiality. And then the interviewer’s technique is subjected to a scrutiny to which the newspaper journalist is never put.
Putting the questions
There is always an element of ‘performance’ in every interview. Be conscious of it, even though your questions may be edited out.
●Don’t gabble.
●Be clear and unambiguous.
●Ask questions, do not make statements which leave the interviewee wondering whether to answer.
●Keep questions short, but not so short that they scarcely register.
●Remember that the audience is more interested in the interviewee’s answers than your questions.
●Once you have asked a question, let the interviewee answer. If you have to interrupt, do so when there is a natural pause. Recordings of overlapping voices are impossible to edit.
●If an interview strays too far off the subject, bring it back on course. If necessary, stop the camera, explain to the interviewee what is going wrong, and start again.
●Avoid ‘warm-up’ questions. They waste time.
●Do not preface every question with deferential words or phrases which suggest timidity. Typical examples: ‘May I/Could I/Do you mind if I ask …?’
●Be bold and direct–but being too brusque will be counterproductive.
●Take care not to ask questions which invite one-word answers, usually ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Rephrase.
Supplementaries
Some novice interviewers concentrate so much on asking their questions that they forget to listen to the answers. Always be prepared to ask supplementaries, and if the interview suddenly takes off in an unexpected, more interesting direction, follow.
Interview technique
Position the subject slightly to one side, looking towards the empty side of the screen (1). ‘Profile’ shot has the interviewee looking out of screen and seeming to exclude the audience (2). The camera operator’s view should be two to three inches (50–75 mm) above the subject’s eyeline (3).
Cliché questions
Some questions are asked so frequently they have become clichés. Avoid especially:
●How do you feel (about) … ?
●What of the future?
●What’s your reaction to …?
●Just how serious …?
●Just what…?
●Just when …?
●Just why …? These are just irritating.
●Just how serious …?
●Just what…?
●Just when …?
●Just why …?
These are just irritating.