Homepage » News » Let's talk about it

Let's talk about it

You've got fifteen minutes before you'll be stood in front of the chief of police asking him some difficult questions. How do you get the best from the person you're shoving the microphone in front of?

Doing interviews can be one of the most exciting elements of making radio, and can really bring a radio station alive and a show buzz. Whether it's a pop-star in town to promote a concert, a politician who wants to get re-elected or an expert who's obvious enthusiasm about their subject is difficult to contain, interviews can cover all topics and all emotions.

The best interviews tend to be when you are face to face with your interviewee in their "environment"; that's to say not in a studio. They'll feel more comfortable with their surroundings, and dependent on where it is can often mean that you can use the setting as part of the interview; getting them to describe their stall or talk through what they are doing.

The downside of this is, unless you have outside broadcast facilities, you'll have to pre-record these interviews. You also need to be particularly careful about background noise (it's great as atmosphere but anything particularly loud can make the interview difficult to listen to), and also to try and get them out of their office. For example, make sure you interview museum staff in one of the display rooms rather than a back-office.

If you can't interview them at their place; they'll either need to come to you or you'll have to conduct the interview remotely (usually on the telephone). Experienced interviewers won't have a problem with doing the interview remotely, but people nervous about talking on the radio can be more reluctant to open up when they can't see who they are speaking to, and you won't be able to judge their reaction. Also, extended sequences over the telephone can be quite difficult to listen to.

Whoever you are interviewing, you should always do a little bit of background research. Dependent on who they are, then there might be a personal profile available from a press officer; or you might be able to find some information about them on the web. Bear in mind that a police officer will be talking on behalf of the service, and therefore won't really want to answer personal questions (unless you've agreed these in advance), whereas a TV or film personality will usually be more happy to discuss themselves.

Big-name interviews can always sound impressive; but they can be really difficult because the person is often fed-up of doing interviews and has pre-prepared answers for anything you throw at them. It's important to be original in your questioning, but there are plenty of examples where the interview tried too hard and the interviewee simply cut the interview short. It's much better to find up-coming or less-well known people who will generally make more interesting interviews.

If you're doing a face-to-face interview, it's important that you are on-time and courteous. Unless you are planning a particularly tricky interview, it's best to talk with the interviewee for a few minutes, just to pull out some interesting stories they might have and to explain what the interview is about and where it will be used (is it a standalone feature or part of a package?). You don't have to agree the questions in advance; but give them an idea of the likely topics you want to cover. And make some brief notes of things that they say that interest you.

Always write down their name, correct job title and organisation name before you begin; you'll be amazed how quickly you forget in the middle of an interview. If they are going to be giving numbers, timings or web addresses etc out then make sure you make sure they have them in front of them (or at least are confident they can remember them).

When you're ready to record get them into an environment you are happy with. If it's too noisy then ask to move somewhere else: look out for things like phones and other disruptions. If they are happy sitting down then let them stay that way, but people generally sound better if they stand up; and it's easier for you. Try and position yourself as close as you possibly can be to them - closer than you'd probably feel comfortable in most situations – generally at right-angles with them so you are not confronting them face on.

Rest your elbow on your chest and hold the microphone up, preferably equally between both your mouths. Don't stick it straight in front of them thou, as you'll get a lot of popping. Try not to move the microphone during the interview – if you find yourself too far away from them to gently move it between you then simply leave it recording them – you can be edited in later!

Open with a nice gentle question "describe what your organisation is about" is a standard one; and then take it from there. Listen to their answers, and pick up on interesting points that they happen to mention. It can be utterly frustrating for a listener who hears a speaker mention something interesting which is ignored by the interviewer because they have a set list of questions to get through.

Use what you learnt in the pre-interview chat to help your questions - "you were involved in the event since 1993, how much do you think it has changed since then?" is much better than simply asking them what has changed since they were first involved.

Let the interviewee speak for as long as they feel comfortable with – you shouldn't hurry them on or butt in unless they have are really dragging on. People are more listenable to when they are talking at their usual speed. Nod and encourage them during the interview, but don't do it audibly – random ‘yes's' can sound very strange in an interview. Use your own experience as part of the questioning, but don't talk-over them because you want to tell them something – you are interviewing them and you have the rest of the show to tell your own stories. And try to avoid saying things like "that sounds very interesting" – they sound quite patronising when you listen back.

Try and get through the interview in one take – don't worry about mistakes. If they really fumble then take it from the top of that question after they've had time to think about what they want to say. And make sure you note it down; because it can ruin your career if you put an unedited version out (it does happen).

Make sure your interview has a natural conclusion; don't simply stop – and make sure that you thank them on tape. Then leave at least three seconds of silence before switching off the recording; otherwise you have to make a very sharp edit.

You may be required to interview someone that you have done no research on. Like we have a presenter toolbox of standard things to say; an interviewer can have a toolbox of a few standard questions that they can ask in most situations. Even the most badly prepared interview with an interviewer with not much to say should be able to last two or three minutes.

* What does your organisation/you do?

* How long have you been doing it? Where do you do it?

* Is this your first time at this event?

* What was your influence/reason/inspiration for doing this?

* What exactly are you going to be doing at this event/now?

* Is there anything special that you will be doing this time?

* What has been your most interesting/exciting/funny thing that you have done in the course of this?

* What else are you up to?

* How can people see what you are doing / take part / get hold of your work?

* Talk me through what you do / can you perform / demonstrate etc?

Ultimately you need to be asking the interviewee questions which answer the "why should I care about what you say or do".

When you get back to do the studio, or even before it, you should simply be able to top and tail the interview. It's perfectly possible to do this straight on minidisk; although you may want to copy it to computer to edit.

If you are going to be introducing an interview you conducted, it's better to cut your initial question out and introduce it by saying something along the lines of "I started by asking him what his organisation did." It sounds better than you trying to introduce yourself, or suddenly being somewhere else. Equally if you are going to be going into a speech item straight off the back of the interview, then cut the end niceties and finish on their final answer.

Make sure you maximise your interview: you might be able to clip the best bits for an earlier programme (for example if you've interviewed a footballer for your evening sports programme then offer your breakfast and drive shows clips they can use to promote the interview).

If you've got a website, then it can be good to put the best interviews available to listen on demand or download. Make sure you agree this with the person you have interviewed – it's one thing going out on a local station once, but if they can be found from anywhere in the world at any time they might object. If you are going to add it to your website, then try and get a photo of them (preferably talking or with you) and make sure you get a correct spelling of their name, and their job title.