An interview is a conversation between two or more people where the interviewer asks questions to obtain information from the interviewee. There are two main types of interviews: assessments which evaluate a person, and informational interviews to gather facts. Television interviews can be either extended, using multiple cameras over a longer period, or short segments typical for news using one camera and minimizing equipment needs. Proper interview techniques include pausing between questions, using cutaways to cover edits, and focusing first on a tightly edited audio version before addressing video transitions.

1. INTERVIEWS
An interview is a conversation between two or more people (the
interviewer and the interviewee)where questions are asked by the
interviewer to obtain information from the interviewee. Interviews
canbe divided into two rough types, interviews of assessment and
interviews for information

2. Television Interview
• There are two basic ways of handling an
interview:
• one designed for an extended interview.
• one for a short interview segment, the kind that is
typical for TV news.

3. Extended interview
• For an extended interview you could start
out by lighting and micing the set for the
"A" and "B"camera positions at the same
time and set up cameras in the A and B.

4. Short interview
• For a short interview it's easier and takes
less equipment to first light and mic camera
position "A." Then after you get all of your
A-roll footage, move the camera to position
"B," mic the reporter, and move your lights
to the appropriate position for this (reverse)
angle.

5. Techniques of interview
• In fact, if you can do without the over-the-
shoulder shots, the interview subject doesn't even
have to be there at all.
• The reporter simply looks at a "spot on the wall"
behind where the person was sitting and re-asks
the questions.
• Remember that a five- to eight-second pause
should separate each question, especially if you
are using
• videotape. Reporter reaction shots or "noddies,"
are also recorded from this angle.

6. Techniques of interview
• When you cut out an unnecessary segment of an
answer, you can cover the resulting jump cut with
a "noddie," an insert shot, or a cutaway.
• Sometimes a reporter's question will be obvious in
an answer and you can save time by not using the
question. Remember, the faster you can move
things along without sacrificing clarity, the better.

7. Techniques of interview
• One of the most difficult aspects of editing
an interview, especially when considerable
editing and rearranging has to be done, is to
achieve smooth linking from one audio
segment to the next.
• This includes preserving the brief pauses
that normally occur in conversation.

8. Techniques of interview Tips
• Although editing approaches differ, for
interviews most editors first concentrate on
audio. Once they have a tightly edited
"radio program," they go back and cover the
video jump cuts with insert shots, reaction
shots, and cutaways

9. To keep in mind when writing
news stories.
• Question those who claim to be a witness to an
event and confirm that they really were in a
position to see what happened.
• Use a second source to double-check information
that seems surprising or may be in doubt.
• Double-check all names, titles, and places, and,
when necessary, write out the pronunciation of
names phonetically.
• When writing the story, carefully check spelling
and grammar; do the math on numbers.
• Make sure that sound bites selected during editing
accurately reflect what the person meant.

10. Types of Interviews
• GENERAL.
• TALK SHOW.
• AMBUSH
• REMOTE
• EDITED

11. GENERAL
• This is a one-on-one interview
involving a reporter and an
individual involved in a specific
event or issue.
•

12. GENERAL
• You and the PAO may grant this type
of interview on a case-by-case basis,
depending on the sensitivity of the
issue and if the subject matter is not
beyond the responsibility of the
person to be interviewed. The PAO
should monitor the interview and tape-
record it in case questions arise later
on the context of the answers or if the
interviewee is misquoted.
•

13. TALK SHOW
• Many local television and cable stations have
interview shows where “people in the news” are
interviewed. These are referred to as “soft”
interviews that usually focus on the personality of
the person or command, rather than on hard news
issues. Nevertheless, prior preparation is important
even for a soft interview. Be sure you know if
there will be another speaker on the show who
will be asked their opinions of the issues the
interviewee will address.

14. AMBUSH
This type of “on-the-run,” unantici- pated
interview usually is related to some major
issue or controversial event. The person
leaves his home, a congressional hearing
or a courtroom, and is suddenly faced
with television cameras, microphones
and shouted questions. The main rule here
is to keep cool, smile and move as soon as
possible.

15. REMOTE
• This is similar to the general interview but involves
the interviewee in one loation (such) as on the ship’s
bridge or pier) and the interviewer in a television
studio asking questions. There may also be a third
party linked by another remote location or in the
television studio. The interviewee has an earplug to
hear the questions. The main drawback to this
interview is the distraction and confusion the audio
feedback makes in the earplug. This technical
problem makes the interviewee more nervous and
thus interferes with the ability to do the best
interview possible. Practice with the remote will
help, but such interviews are always difficult.

16. EDITED
• As you already know, any interview, whether it be
print, radio or television, may be edited if it is not done
live. The problem with the edited interview is that an
answer may be edited out of context. One answer to
this problem is to have command personnel only appear
on live radio or television shows.
• However, even alive interview can be stage-
managed by the host. The best advice about this
interview is that you know the people you are dealing
with. For example, the Navy has had very bad
experiences with some so-called