Tips for recording interviews

Audio Interviewing

Location, locationPick a quiet placeAvoid restaurants, coffee shopsAvoid loud background noise – even air

conditioners

Put your subject at easeChat while you are setting upTell them who the audience isGive them an idea of how long the

interview will beDevelop rapport before you turn the mic onLook them in the eye, instead of fiddling

with equipment

The equipmentHandheld microphones: Hold 4 to 12 inches

from speaker, pointed at mouthReporter should hold it steadyWear headphones to monitor sound

Be preparedMake sure your equipment worksKnow what you want to ask – do

background researchRemember to listen to the answers

Interview basicsAvoid yes or no questionsEncourage interviewee to speak in

complete sentencesDon’t interrupt but try to keep speaker

from ramblingAsk them to repeat if it’s unclear or if there

was a distractionIt’s NEVER OK to tell someone what to say,

but you can rephrase a question

Starting the interviewAsk for name (including spelling) and title

while you have the tape rolling

Kinds of questionsDescribe for me …Give me a sense of …Could you tell me why…Could you tell me what it was like …What went through your mind…How does that affect you?...

Be quietRemember the microphone picks up your

voice Don’t say uh huh, really. Try nodding

instead

It’s not about youKeep your questions shortDon’t answer your own questions

Avoiding pitfalls Don’t be afraid of silence – give them time

to thinkIf you don’t understand something, ask

“what do you mean by that?”If the subject is long-winded, start

questions with “tell me briefly…”If need be, remind the subject to answer in

complete sentences or thoughts for audio.

The wind-up

Thank them for their timeAsk if there’s anything they want to add

More interview tipsIf the subject says something you know

you’ll want to use, mark the time on the recorder

Doing voice-oversWrite a scriptKeep it shortUse simple sentencesStay conversationalEnunciateRemember: You have to hook your listeners

quickly

Getting betterPractice – interview friends and familyListen to good interviewersIra Glass on storytellingNPR: Soldiers cheer on football team

Ambient soundThe continuous noise in the backgroundRecord at least a minute of it at each

location – can use it to insert space in an edited interview

Natural soundThe audio equivalent of sound effectsMake sure the sound is authentic If you forgot to record a Husker band

practice, you can’t simply download a DVD of the Huskers music when the story is about the band practicing

Tips from NYTimes reporterAudio tips for print reporters

Why tell audio stories?It can give your story another dimensionIt gives your sources a voice Brandi Kruse’s award-winning audio

How to use it?Short clips that supplement a storyListen to an NPR story – Dr. John Sound matters – Home delivery

It’s all about storytellingScott Simon: How to tell a story