Chapter 7 Interviews and Soundbites

Sound Bites Why do we use sound bites (also called “actualities”) for radio or television? Take the audience to the scene of an event. Make it more “real.” Provide a sense of being there … Adds to credibility … authority … Reveal the person … add a sense of spontaneity … first-person experience. Help illustrate a story in the way a newspaper photo might, add a dimension that the script cannot. (Also, compare to direct quotes in newspaper story.)

Sound bites do not tell the story, but enhance the report. You must be careful not to misrepresent what the person says. How could you do that? Ask a question about one thing, use the answer as if you asked something else. Sound bites should be kept short, 8-12 seconds. Can be as long as 20 seconds. Should not substitute for your own reporting. If longer, they start to dominate a short minute-and-a-half package. If a person speaks for 45 seconds or a minute, you can paraphrase most of what the person says, but take the best 10 seconds or so for the sound bite. It’s lazy to let the sound bites tell most of the facts of the story.

Interviews What do you need to be a good interviewer? Be prepared. Know as much as possible about the subject. You are the mind and mouthpiece of your audience (?) You are responsible for asking questions your audience would ask. “Interviewing builds upon the art of listening” (?) … don’t be too intent on the next question you’ll ask that you miss something more interesting. Better to write down a few key words, to prompt your memory, than trying to write down questions word for word.

Putting the interviewee at ease … what can you do? People will give better, more honest, more revealing answers if they’re relaxed. Appear relaxed yourself. Prepare the person for the experience … tell them to look at you, not the camera … tell them not to take the microphone from you or it’ll make noise that has to be edited. Maintain constant eye contact – helps person ignore the camera, lights, mic. Let’s them know you’re listening.

Tips for interviewing (box, p. 154) Listen … very often, a good follow-up question is “Tell me more about that …” (this can also be a good starter.) Avoid questions that can be answered “yes” and “no” … Avoid leading questions (?) Questions that begin “Don’t you think …” Better to start questions with “why …” or “how …” or “what do you mean …” Avoid saying “I see,” or “Uh, huh …” after every answer … may give audience impression you agree with everything the person says. Head-nodding in a televised interview can give the same impression. [It makes a difference if the interview is being taped for the purpose of pulling sound bites, or if it is being aired live or will be shown in its entirety …]

(Tips, continued) Avoid obvious questions. “Dr. McFarland, you’re the president of the University, isn’t that correct?” Makes you look foolish. Avoid tasteless questions in sensitive situations (“How do you feel …”) to a person who has lost a loved one. This will alienate the audience. Can some less directly involved be interviewed? Better, “What are your thoughts …”