How to Prepare & Conduct

an Effective Interview

By the end of this unit, you willdemonstrate how to prepare equipment

for an interview.

generate questions for your guests before the interview takes place.

exhibit proper body language during the interview process.

demonstrate good communication skills.

ask lead questions.

paraphrase important points during an interview and acknowledge your understanding.

communicate proper opening and closing.

MAIN MENUClick on the topic you want to learn

more about or click anywhere on the slide to run through the entire presentation.

The Interview Process

Equipment Preparation

Video Example

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

DURING THE INTERVIEW

ASKING QUESTIONS

ENDING THE INTERVIEW

The Interview ProcessClick the topic you want to learn more about!

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

• Prep the guest–Discuss broad ideas to

be covered

• Write out introduction, conclusion, and a few questions to get the interview started

• Do your homework!

• Check on guest’s background and subject matter. Go to MAIN

MENU

Be yourself!

Extinguish bad habits (uh-huh, uhhs, y’ know, etc.).

Make logical, smooth transitions to new subjects.

(Personal issues)

• Make your guest(s) feel at home. Set the tone.

• Establish your guest’s credentials at the start of the interview.

• Never refer to conversations held before air time.

(Guest relations)

Don’t interrupt.

Use nonverbal messages.

Do NOT try to hide your notes.

Save the guest who is in trouble.

and ALWAYS remember …

The GUEST is the star and the expert.

Go to MAIN MENU

? ? ?

How to

• Lead with a question the guest will enjoy answering.

• Listen intently and react to your question’s answer.

• Restate, reinforce, or summarize key points of your guest’s statement.

• Ask SIMPLE not compound questions

• If the guest’s answer is unclear, rephrase the question and ask AGAIN

• Avoid questions that require only a “yes” or “no” answer.

• Do not answer a question as you are asking it.

• Avoid asking obvious questions.

Go to MAIN MENU

THANK YOUR GUEST.

Use proper sign-off. NEVER end an interview with “Well I see our time is up.”

Go to MAIN MENU

Equipment Preparation

Night Before

Equipment Checklist

Before Taping

(Click the topic you want to learn more about!)

• Recharge batteries

• Check to see if everything is working properly

The Night Before

Go to MAIN MENU

Equipment Checklist• Camcorder?

• Tripod?

• Blank tape?

• Microphone?

• Note cards? Go to MAIN MENU

BEFORE TAPING• Rewind tape to beginning.

• Record number on counter for each take.

• Set the white balance.

• Use a hand-held microphone instead of mic on camera. Point at speaker’s voice.

• Check lighting.

• Start the camera about 20 sec. before you begin interviewing & let it run 20 sec. after the last question.

• For interviews, try to stick with close-up, medium, or over-the-shoulder camera shots. Go to MAIN

MENU

Let’s take a look at an interview

•How did the reporter prepare?

•What kind of questions were asked?

•What makes this a good interview?

•What improvements could be made?

Ask yourself…

WATCHFeature Story

(student example)

Click here to View Video

You Can Make EVERYInterview GREAT!

IT’S YOUR TURN NOW

Go to MAIN MENU

The End

Sources

Back Traxx Music Library (Digital Juice). Vol. 9, track 15, 2001.

Curchy, Christopher and Keith Kyker. Television Production: A Classroom Approach. Englewood, CO, 1993Microsoft Works Suite 2001 MS Picture It!

Publishing Clipart.Microsoft.com Clipart. http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?lc=en-us