Practicalities of Interviewing – People

The Practical Aspects of Recording Radio Interviews

Mar 6, 2010
Dan McCurdy

Mic and Headphones - Morgue File

Any interview is a interaction between people, interviewer and interviewee, however many of each may be involved, but the interviewer can have some control.

Learning how to control an interview, and understanding how the people involved generally operate and interact with each other can be quite a simple process. There will of course be occasions when events don’t always go according to plan because people are involved but most interviews can be effective and interesting audio suitable for broadcast if a few simple tips and procedures are borne in mind.

Firstly, Understand the Equipment

Interviews are about both equipment and people. Familiarity with the recording equipment being used and knowing what it can and can’t do especially in situations outwith the controlled environment of a recording studio leaves the interviewer free to concentrate on the people being interviewed. Anyone using equipment in recording an interview should bear in mind the following:

Test the equipment well before the interview time.
Consider the microphone options and choose the right one for the purpose.
For Location recording it’s essential to test the equipment before leaving for the interview, including battery levels and backup mains supply or extra batteries.
On Location recording test the equipment again in situ well before the interview starts.
Test the location’s acoustic, and choose a place as far away as possible from distracting noises, equipment hums, loud voices, distracting passing traffic, etc.
Record some voices in situ as a test if practical.
Always listen and monitor back on headphones, the only true way to hear what’s being recorded.
Record more material than is needed, editing can be done in the studio.

The person or people being interviewed will only really become aware of the equipment if the interviewee draws their attention to it by being concerned or unsure about the recording process. Not having to worry about whether the interview is being recorded properly or not, gives the interviewer full focus on what the listener hears, the interview and the people being interviewed.

Before the Interview

Preparation is everything in a multitude of projects and the success or any radio interview, or any interview for that matter, depends to a very great deal on the work done beforehand. Prepartion can include

Do sufficient research to be familiar with the subject.
Have a list of questions ready, but be prepared to deviate from them if the conversation dictates.
Take written notes to the interview as a reminder of the basis for the questions.
Try and find an ‘Intelligent Connection’ to the subject, a link that might surprise them.
Be on time for the interview.
When interviewing an author, always read the books. (Generally one of the author’s first questions is “Have you read the book.”

Sufficient preparation and research is essential to a good interview, and can be the key to a successful conversation. Good research will often provide areas for questions and discussion the subject may have planned to discuss.

Types and Styles of Interview

Deciding what the format of the interview beforehand sets the tone for the interview. The interviewee should be aware not only the media the interview is being broadcast on, but the type of programme that’s likely to develop. Decisions for the final audio can include:

Short inserts to exisiting programming.
Longer features and audio packages.
Complete programmes with the interview featured.
As part of a programme with other interviews.
A news bulletin or topical interest feature insert.

The audio can become, with judicious editing, part of radio programming in a number of ways and it’s wise to consider what the final edit might be used for before the interview. This will set the style of the presentation.

The Interview

The main and most important attribute of any good interviewer can be summed up with one word – Listen. It’s good practice to get into the habit of remembering the following:

The people being interviewed are human beings, treat them as such.
Don’t do the interview before the interview! Talk beforehand, it relaxes the subject, but keep it short.
Be interested, and remember body language can speak louder than works.
Don’t murmur or talk over any answers, use non-verbal responses.
Ask open ended questions, and never ones that just have natural Yes or No answers.
Let the conversation develop and respond to the answers.

It’s important the interview has a structure so try and think of a few easier opening questions to relax the person, followed by more detailed investigations and end with some closing questions, often for example about the future.

Finally , don’t forget to offer thanks for the interview. There may be more in the future.

Dan McCurdy - Dan McCurdy is a freelance writer producer creative and lecturer. Dan is one of the UK's most experienced radio writers and producers. ...