What is Interviewing?
Interview Questions
• Write 3 interview questions each person
• Story is about a recent bomb threat
(this is just an example and did not really
happen)
• 1. Mr. Savage
• 2. School Nurse
• 3. Officer Pan
Interview Questions
• Create 5 questions for a student at OEHS
• They can be about anything
– Choose one topic or theme for your questions and
then create them
Interviews
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Check camera speed
Check sound
Use microphone – make sure it’s on
One person camera; one person reporter and
switch
• Ask the interviewee 5 questions
Tips for Good Stories
• Go directly to the source for an interview
• Don’t give them questions in advance – you want
a natural sounding response; not something
scripted
• If they have advance questions, they may not
agree to answer them!
• Be an eyewitness
– Get involved for first hand experience
• Do research
• Take a poll
Good Interviewer
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Does their homework
Explains reason for needing the interview
Flatters their source
Plans – create questions in advance
Listen and take notes; don’t interrupt.
ACTIVELY listen so you don’t capture
unwanted sound
Good Interviewee
• Knows what they’re talking about
• No jargon – use words everyone can
understand
• Calm and confident
• Uses vivid examples
• Short and sweet – take away microphone if
you have someone going on and on…
Good questions
• Start by asking person to say name and spell
• Give title/job description
• Sound bite is between 9 – 15 seconds
• Provide more than a yes or no answer
• Allow interviewee to expand
• Leads to more questions at times
Question Stems
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Describe how you felt when…
What are the steps to…
What is the process of…
Why…
What purpose…
Inform me how…
Email to send to interviewee
Subject: Interview for Broadcasting 1
Hi ______,
In Broadcasting 1 I am working on a news story about _____
and am writing to get your perspective on _____.
I would like to interview you for this story and am available
during XX period this week and next. If there is a more
convenient time, please let me know.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
– Your Name
Types of Interview Set ups
• 90 degree angle
– Camera person stands behind reporter
– Camera is over shoulder of reporter
• Parallel
– Reporter stands next to camera person
Background
• Choose an interesting back drop. A White wall
is not very interesting!
• Check for sound around you (Nat and Ambient
sound). The commons is not the best place for
an interview when students are eating lunch.
Photo Quality
• Frame the person properly
• Check camera settings to make sure person is
clear, color is nice, and focused
• Link to camera settings:
http://www.urbanfox.tv/workbooks/sonypd15
0/pd150exposure.htm
Interview Set Up
• Subject should be more of their head and less of
a profile
• Reporter stands to the left of the camera
• If interviewing more than one person, stand on
other side for second interview
• Be at the same level as interviewee
– If you stand, he/she should also stand
– If you sit, he/she should sit
Correct Framing
Framing
Framing
Steps for taping interview
• Before interview
– Check camera speed, sound, photo quality
– Check microphone
– Mic should be close to interviewee and if possible
NOT in the shot
• During interview
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Camera person begins recording and checks framing
Reporter asks for name – say and spell
Instruct subject– look at reporter not camera
Begin interview
Problems
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when mic doesn't work
how close to get
using camera mic
going through camera operations
stand ups
in loud area
person grabs mic
raw interview practice - think of issue and find
person. tape before package project. Focus on
framing and mic practice. Edit later