There's a lot of information out there about interview camera and lighting techniques, but not so much about the art of interviewing.
Atong Atem interview for Outdoor Living [Beulah, 2022]
SELECT. Someone who has something to say. It might seem obvious, but the most defining factor for a good interview is the talent. You might not always have the luxury of choice (if for instance an agency, production company or network is choosing for you), but if you do, look for people who like to talk, who have a strong sense of purpose, and who have faced obstacles or adversity to get to where they are. We will listen most keenly to someone who has conviction, which isn’t everybody! Bonus points for guests with a sense of humour.
STALK. Using those creepy skills you’ve honed over several decades as a digital native, get to know the interviewee by any means necessary (just don’t scare them with your knowledge the moment they step out of the Uber). If you know what makes them tick, and what topics are closest to their heart, you will be able to push their buttons (in an only slightly manipulative way) when the time comes to prompt a response or an emotion in the interview itself.
DIG. What other interviews have they done in the past? Make your questions different to keep things fresh, but don’t be afraid to ask the meat and potato questions you will need to establish their story clearly. Include some personal questions to encourage them to share more of themselves. Audiences are always drawn to the human side of a story.
HANG. Spend some time with the interviewee. Setup a pre-call to hone your angle of questioning and get to know them a bit. Carve out time in the schedule for a coffee before you roll, talk about other common interests and life stuff to put them at ease. Share something of yourself so they know they are connecting with a human. Have a laugh. Trust and honesty are generated from rapport.
PRINT. A paper list of questions (or use an iPad) so it doesn’t look like you’re scrolling Linkedin jobs on your phone during the interview. Use a big font and frame the questions with a minimum of words. Use the page as a general road map. You are the driver! Accelerate to the next question, or decelerate and make a turn to probe deeper into a topic.
ACTION! Don’t yell it. Don’t even say it. Have all the tech ready ahead of time so as to avoid unforeseen malfunction or distraction. Surreptitiously hit record (or rehearse a secret wink with your crew) then flow into conversation, expecting nothing more from the first five minutes than breaking the ice. Lead with easy questions that don’t require too much thought on their part. Hold your Michael Parkinson best for later in the interview!
NOD. Sitting before a camera or microphone can feel unnatural. Everyone needs encouragement, especially non-professional talent. Maintain eye contact and continually convey non-verbally that your interviewee is on the right track. Stop for water if you need to, but not at the expense of momentum when the interview is on a roll.
RESPOND. To that little glimmer of passion or vulnerability you see in your guest’s eyes. Gently probe away at it. Ask that follow up question or two. Give them time and space to answer. Oftentimes, less is more. Let them do the work of interpretation by posing some simple, open questions like my personal favourite: How did that make you feel? If you're hosting a podcast, you might generate rapport by sharing how their story makes you feel.
KNOW. What you are hoping for. If the interview is not going out live, reframe questions and give opportunities to re-answer if the information or emotion is not coming across in a clear or compelling way. Don’t be afraid to ask them for a more succinct version of an answer. You might feel annoying, but by doing this you are giving them an opportunity to shine. If they’re stuck, move on and come back to it later if it’s an important part of their story.
LISTEN. It can be excruciating to dwell on your own voice, but be sure to listen back to your language and tone, even if you are editing yourself out. Are your questions too long or convoluted? Did you give the interviewee an opportunity to reflect? Was there a good vibe in the room? It’s your job to make an interview environment as comfortable as possible, but that doesn’t mean that every interview should be easy. So critique, but don't be hard on yourself. A good interview is a living, breathing, organic thing. From out of that unpredictability magic can come. --- Interviewing is a craft, it needs work, but it can also be a special moment of connection between yourself, your interviewee, and your audience. Your hundredth interview will be better than your first, but each and every one has the potential to get to the heart of something or someone, and to engage and benefit others. Your interviewee may be slightly euphoric (from relief!) when the interview is wrapped. Use that moment to connect with them, and stay in touch if you can. If you're lucky enough to forge a career involving interview, you may just end up with a network of fascinating people in your life. Good on you.
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