Interview Types

Most interviews fall into one of a limited number of categories. At this stage it is important to differentiate, so what we are examining here are those conducted out on location with an ENG team. Interview types which take place in front of the studio cameras are discussed on pages 124–140.

Set-piece interviews

Set-pieces provide much of the bread-and-butter material for inclusion in reporter packages pages 88–91. They presuppose the interviewee’s willingness to participate, which means that on occasions arrangements can be made far enough in advance for the reporter to undertake some proper preparation.

This form of interview is likely to take place on the interviewee’s own ground, and will tend to be used to gather opinion and interpretation rather than fact.

A typical set-piece for news-related programmes probably consists of no more than six or seven questions. Make sure the interview follows a logical pattern with a recognisable beginning, middle and end, so that afterwards it is possible to select a coherent chunk rather than edit fiercely. Less time will be spent in the cutting room and what appears on the screen won’t seem ‘bitty’.

Put the interview in context by setting it against a relevant background. If there’s a sensible alternative to the anonymous office, use it. During the interview the camera will probably point over your shoulder at the interviewee, framed in medium close-up, and only your voice will be heard. Any necessary changes of shot and angle should take place only during the questions, which are likely to be edited out of the final version and replaced with ‘cutaways’ (see page 86).

Doorstepping

The term ‘doorstep interview’ is more or less self-explanatory. The reporter waits–sometimes literally on the doorstep of a building–for an interviewee to appear. A special target may be in mind, or it could be that anyone who is willing to talk will be pounced on and interviewed.

Questions are usually straightforward–typically connected with the outcome of official meetings or negotiations.

Doorstepping tends to be a fairly hit-or-miss method of interviewing. It is not much liked by reporters, although some useful material is often forthcoming. It is also surprising how regularly what begins as a shouted question from a few yards away ends with the person who has been ‘doorstepped’ agreeing to take part in a proper interview.

Doorsteppers, by their nature, demand a large measure of patience, stamina, and willingness to push through the rest of the media crowd to point a microphone at the right person.

In the melee, don’t forget to take the camera crew with you.