This document provides guidance for backpack journalists on conducting interviews. It discusses that interviewing is an essential part of the journalistic process of gathering raw material, strengthening and shaping stories. For backpack journalists, interviewing is similar to regular journalism but with different equipment needs like cameras and microphones. The document offers tips for different types of stories, preparing for interviews, asking open-ended questions, establishing rapport, and getting accurate quotes. It emphasizes listening to responses and being flexible to follow new threads. For backpack journalists, the document recommends filming entire interviews and getting b-roll footage and reaction shots to enhance storytelling.

1. Interviewing
A guide for backpack
and other journalists
1

2. He who asks
is a fool for 5
minutes. He
who doesn’t
ask is a fool
forever.
2

3. Interviewing is part
of a three-step process
• Interviewing
– Gets raw material for stories
• Editing/Honing
– Strengthens material
• Cropping/Cutting
– Shapes final stories
3

4. Like all backpack
journalism, interviewing
is the same as in regular
journalism -- but
different.
4

5. Focus the interview
• Ask lots of questions
– You need lots of raw material
• Choose an angle
– Pick a focus for your project
• Explore a subject further
– That’s why you need lots of raw
material
5

6. Interviewing
• Key to success for a good
backpack or print journalist.
• Two main parts
– Asking good questions
– LISTENING!!!!
6

7. Interviewing
• Steps in the process (before
interview)
– Identifying the story topic and angle
– Identifying the source(s)
– Background research
• Don’t interview people for facts,
interview for reactions
7

8. Interviewing
• Steps in the process (before
interview)
– Identifying the story topic and angle
– Identifying the source(s)
– Background research
• Don’t interview people for
facts, interview for reactions – especially
on camera
8

9. Information Search
• Questions for before the interview.
– How much time do I have to track
down information?
– What do I need to know?
– How will I use this information?
– Who is the audience for this
information?
These are the questions your team
needs to answer soon
9

10. Interviewing
• Story types and interviewing
– News story
• Subject focused
• People are secondary
– Profile
• People focused
• Other topics are secondary
– Investigative story
• Need to know both
10

11. Interviewing
• News stories
– Time to research is usually short
– Clips, other writers are good
background sources
– Rapport with regular sources for your
beat will serve you well
• They know you so they’ll talk with you
11

12. Interviewing
• Profiles -- vital to character-driven
backpack journalists
– Background information
• Basics: age, education, etc.
• Know their works, their achievements
• Know their subjects
• Know their hobbies, if possible
• Dress to match
• Interview friends, family, etc.
• “Shadow” them, if possible
12

13. Interviewing
• Investigative stories
– Adversarial relationship?
– Know the answers to the questions
you ask
– Start with people on the fringes and
work your way in to the main source
– Get as much evidence as possible
ahead of time
13

14. Interviewing
The way you ask a question
• Signals the response you expect
• Can reveal your own point of view on the
issue
• May block a response
–“Are you still cheating on exams.”
Ask people questions they can
answer
14

15. Interviewing
• Use open-ended questions
– Questions that require more than a
“yes” or “no” answer
– You want questions that draw visual
responses (especially important for
video)
– Work from general to specific
• These questions are less direct and less
threatening
15

16. Interviewing
• Closed-ended questions
– Asking a specific question to get a
specific answer
– Plan when to ask these questions
and who you are going to ask
– Keep asking until your source gives
you an adequate response or tells
you where to find the information
16

17. Interviewing
• Rapport
– The relationship between the
reporter and the source
• Critical to the success of the interview
– Look for commonalities with your
subject
• Make them feel comfortable with you
17

18. Interviewing nuts and bolts
• Establishing a rapport
– Look around the interview space for
• Photos of family
• Pets
• Signs of their religious background
– Talk about something you see
• Gets subjects at ease
Also comes in handy when filming “B roll”
18

19. Interviewing nuts and bolts
• Setting up the interview
– Work with the subject, but suggest a time
– Estimate how long you will need
• Be prepared if it goes longer
– Set the place
• Interviewee’s space? (puts them at ease)
• Neutral territory
– Be cautious of noise -- especially important in filming
– Privacy issues?
– Possible return for more information
– Call/e-mail back to check accuracy
19

20. Interviewing nuts and bolts
• What to bring
– What about a recorder for print? Camera?
• Backpack journalists rely on equipment
• Don’t count on it working. Have a plan
if it fails
– Notebook choices for notes
– Writing instruments (at least 2 pencils)
20

21. Interviewing nuts and bolts
• What to bring
– What about a recorder for print? Camera?
• Backpack journalists rely on equipment
• Don’t count on it working. Have a plan
if it fails
– Notebook choices for notes
– Writing instruments (at least 2 pencils)
• What not to bring
– Cell phone (Turn it off; it’s distracting)
– Chewing Gum (it looks unprofessional)
21

22. Interviewing nuts and bolts
• List of questions
– Write out the main questions you
want to ask
– DO NOT write them on your notebook
with space after each one for answer
– Maybe just a list of main points
Write answers even if taping or filming
22

23. Interviewing nuts and bolts
• Start with the easy questions
– Good time to confirm spelling of
name (don’t ask this if there is a
sign or nameplate)
– Title
• These can change from published
material you found in research
– Other basic info if you have
questions
23

24. Interviewing nuts and bolts
• Ask the general questions first
• LISTEN to their answers
– They will frequently answer more
than one of your questions at a time.
• If their answers lead you to a
better story, just keep filming or
writing and follow the new thread
24

25. Interviewing nuts and bolts
• Empathy is important
-- Why are you talking with this
person
• Silence is helpful
• Non-verbal cues
• Body language
• Look them in the eye
25

26. Interviewing and accuracy
• No one wants to be misquoted
• Here’s where taping interviews helps
• No good reporter wants to misquote a
source
• Arrange for a possible call back to
check accuracy of quotes, fill in any
blanks
– Call back even if you really don’t need to
– Send an email or note thanking source for
their time
26

27. Interviewing
• At the interview’s conclusion, ask:
– Is there anything that I haven’t asked that
I should have?
– Anything else you’d like to add?
– Give them your contact information
(telephone or email)
• Review your notes (flip through)
• Put the pen away. Open your ears
• Tell them when the story may appear
or where they’ll find it on the Internet
27

28. Backpack Journalist
Interviewing
• It’s different because of the
multimedia needs
• Use small talk to put people at
ease, then set up a camera with the
subject miked
• Film the entire interview taking note of
vital answers
• Then pick up the camera and change
perspective while you ask questions
again.
28

29. Backpack Journalist
Interviewing
• Then shoot other scenes in the
room (details), or the reason for
the interview. You want detail
shots when you already have
enough for a story.
• In the editing process, you can
move visuals around or add
others.
29

30. Your assignment now
• Pair off, interview each other.
• Write a one-page profile of your
team member.
• List the B-roll footage you’ll
shoot (the details), and what
questions you want to ask for
reaction shots. You’re not going
to do the filming, but I want to
know what you would shoot and
ask. 30