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Interviewing. Quick Facts. The person you’re interviewing can be referred to as: the interviewee, the newsmaker, the guest, or the talking head. Quotes pulled from the interview are called sound bytes or actualities. (duh) Newspaper reporters have it easier! Why?
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Quick Facts • The person you’re interviewing can be referred to as: the interviewee, the newsmaker, the guest, or the talking head. • Quotes pulled from the interview are called sound bytes or actualities. (duh) • Newspaper reporters have it easier! Why? • They can go into depth with their interviews. • We have limited time, especially for our Tomahawk actualities.
Before the Interview • Do your research. • Don’t waste time asking questions that the public already knows the answer to. • Ex: Asking Dr. Williams how long she has been our principal. • Warm up the talking head? • Usually, it helps an interview to give the talking head the questions ahead of time. This way, he or she is prepared to answer the questions. • Unless you are trying to catch the interviewee by surprise (maybe a controversial interview), this is an excellent technique.
During the Interview • Sound Quality • Outside the Studio (nat sound, classroom noises, etc.) • Inside the Studio (mic adjustments & checks) • Questions • Open-ended (“Do you like turtles?” vs “What do you like about turtles?”) • Leading (“Were you upset when you saw the photos?” vs “How did you feel when you saw the photos?”) • Tough • Not a great idea for MHS interviews; can be irritating or confrontational. (“Many students say that your PowerPoint Presentations are stupid and ineffective. How do you respond?”)
During the Interview • Listening • Pay attention to the interviewee’s answers! • Awkward Interviewer Responses: “That sounds truly amazing.” • Annoyed Interviewee: “I already answered that question.” • Potential actualities • Do any of the answers sound “fishy?” • Do you have enough information? • Finish up • You may want to ask the talking head for a place for listeners to go for more information. • And/or, “Would you like to add anything?”
After the Interview • Team up with the fact checker. • Edit the actuality/sound byte. • Give the copywriter a lead-in. • Thank the interviewee; usually, an email is appropriate.
What else? • Off the record • Bad: We can’t use anything anyone tells us off the record. • Good: However, it can lead us to someone who will. • Man on the street • Take a question that an ordinary citizen may like to give a comment on, station yourself (or not), and ask the question to those passing by. • Phone interview • Good: convenience, pajamas • Bad: interruptions, bad service
Your Interview Project • Part 1: • Select a noteworthy teacher, faculty member, or student and research that person. (You must have at least one outside source). • Prepare a half-page proposal outlining why you wish to interview this person and what you hope to get out of the interview. (Show your research). • Once your proposal has been approved, contact that person and get his or her approval for the interview. • Create ten questions, and get them approved. • (Warm up the interviewee)?
Part 2 • Sign up for interview time • You can conduct in the studio or sign out a hand-held recorder. • Conduct the interview • Part 3 • Write a :45 – 1:30 (intervals of about :15) story for your interview using 2-3 actualities • Record and edit • Submit • High five your partner