1. Multi-camera Interviews RTV 332

2. Interviews  To find “gems,” of information Producers must plan for the host conducting thoughtful and thorough interviews with credible sources  Good, timely interviews have a feeling of:  Immediacy of the information  Creating a mood  Giving essential detail  Interpreting events  Giving viewers emotional and/or rational reactions\  Not watching talking heads, but engaged with a conversation – bring out personality

3. Interviews  Skilled interviewers:  Ask insightful questions  Ask questions at the right time  Probe for honest answers without offending *This comes from knowing as much as possible about the source before doing an interview – the script

4. Interviews  Good interviewers write a few key words and only four or five questions - the rest of the interview comes from the dialogue exchange  Specific to the guest interested you? background? qualifications? stance on… future?

5. Interviews  Tough questions…  are warranted but can also offend the audience if asked without just cause  Play hardball with the interviewees who try to “dodge” the issues  Follow-up, probe

6. Interviews  Avoid Yes/No questions or questions that “lead” sources to only answer a certain way  Ask questions that require an articulate response  Avoid saying “I see” or “uh-huh.”  This may indicate an understanding to the interviewee, but the audience may assume you are agreeing.

7. Interviews  Avoid asking two-part questions  One or both parts may be forgotten and it may allow the interviewee a chance to avoid unwanted questions  Avoid obvious questions  It is a waste of time for you, the interviewee and the audience  Avoid questions of bad taste  Be sensitive to a situation - let your conscience and sense of humanity guide you

8. Interviews  Put your sources at ease with these techniques:  Host should appear relaxed him / herself  Prepare interviewees before you begin; let them know what story is about and what to expect  Use constant eye contact  Be a conscientious listener  Encourage the camera crew to consider the interviewee

9. Interviews  Vary question types  Open ended vs. closed-end  Primary vs. Follow-Up  Interview script will establish this; host will implement

10. Keys to interviewing success  Break the ice with questions you do not intend to use  Start a conversation so the source gets comfortable talking with a mic and camera  Jot down two or three key questions for reference  This will help you remember what information you are seeking, no matter where the conversation may try to take you  Know when to shut up  Nothing is more annoying than watching an interviewer ask questions that are longer than the answers

11. Keys to success  Ask a subject to explain an important point again  This will serve two purposes - ensure you get the key points AND send the signal to the interviewee that you care about important information and want to get it right. This will also help sources have faith in your reporting  Always remember the goal … to elicit a powerful, concise statements from a credible source

12. Other interviewing tips  Don’t pre-interview guest  Guest is the star  Keep a balance of host/guest time  Don’t refer to personal issues as the host  Don’t refer to off-air conversations  Ask questions the viewer would ask

13. Mock Interview, Part 2  In a moment, interview a classmate for 5 minutes each about something he/she is involved with  Script for Practice Interview due as shared Google Docs file (to demarsmedia@gmail.com) before class time by 10 pm Wednesday 1/29, with hard copy and 4x6 note cards then also due at the start of class Thursday.

14. Mock Interview, Part 2  Practice productions Thursday.  Scripts must be formatted like this. Your practice interview is a 3:00 interview as a segment of Studio 122. You must include a full open as discussed in class and a full close.like this  ‘Correct script format’ vs. functional

15. Script content  Open (content)  Primary and follow-up questions  Show restatement  Close (content)

16. Mock Interview, Part 2  The show segment is an Information Interview about someone in class and something they are involved with.  During the interview, roll some b-roll that will be on the server (content will not be about the subject, as a mock interview)

17. Mock Interview, Part 2  You are directing a segment and writing a script for the person who is your host to be able to interview the person who is your guest.  While the training project last week was with a 'generic' guest, you are now planning to direct and interview with questions for a specific guest.

18. Types of Interviews  Personality  Opinion  Information

19. Types of Interview scripts  Fully scripted  Ad-lib  Semi scripted

20. Interview Show Content  Opening Titles  Bumper (for Project Interview)  Open  Show name, host name, brief bio, overview of show / segment  Body  Q& A with b-roll  Close (contains) and (credits)

21. Production Content  Open from server  Establishing shot, opening sequence  Objective POV / presentational POV  Changing camera shots  Moving shots  Reaction shots  Inserting lower-thirds  Closing planned – pullback?

22. Production Days  Scheduled time, set up time  Turn off cell phones and put away  Mistakes last Thursday  Always be in the studio before 2 pm – on crew, start getting studio ready  Director and Floor Director must control and keep things moving  You must be ready for any crew position  Information-gathering time!