Your Interview Technique: Part 1

I compare conducting a taped interview to a dentist performing a painless extraction. First, the procedure is explained and permission given. Second, the subject is numbed. Finally, specific tools are employed to secure the whole with the least likely trauma. As in dentistry, education and training, experience, and a sympathetic chairside manner contribute significantly to a satisfactory result.

Although we call these "interviews," unlike a journalist, the scriptwriter must strive for a coherence of thought, a clarity of delivery, and specific comments when taping a subject. Balancing the role of director and production team member with that of sensitive reporter is your primary goal. For details on preparation, read Advice on: Videotaping Interviews, an excellent article and handout.

Before ever taping the first answer, it's important to "remind" your personalities of their role in your program. Several days before the interview, everyone who will be on camera should have a copy of the script. They should know exactly what precedes their performance (and comes after), and what their expected contribution will be. Often I use the time when mikes are placed, lighting is adjusted, powder is applied, etc. to reiterate these points, answer any questions, and generally let them know how important, but "easy," their interview will be. Increasing the comfort level of subjects is crucial - a tense individual is a bad interviewee - and any uneasiness will be sadly evident to the camera and your audience.

Once everything's quiet (and that includes any "hums" from heating or cooling systems, ringing phones, or other extraneous noises which may be picked up and detract), your production team will want to get an audio level. Use this time to accustom your subject/s to the lights, the position from where you will speak (and they will look), plus their personal head and body position by asking a few simple questions. Have them spell their name, give you their title, tell you how they obtained their expertise, and slowly ease them into a more conversational tone. If they're still sounding stiff at this point, remind them that this will be edited - that "uhs," "ers," or going blank entirely aren't irretrievable disasters. Most importantly, ask open-ended questions while responding with positive facial expressions, nods, and other non-verbal encouragement to move your interview along.

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