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Brief summary of activity

This activity explores different kind of interviews according to specific settings and equipment.

Aim of the activity

To learn how to carry out different types of interviews

To learn the basics of recording, cutting and editing

Expected Outcomes

At the end of this activity, the participants will be able to

  • Formulate journalistic questions
  • Differentiate types of interviews
  • Operate recording devices
  • Understand the elements of an interview (introduction, microphone, questions, atmosphere, ending)
  • Practising interviews
  • Applying the basis of cutting and editing

Experience and skills required

Experience on interviewing. Otherwise, experience presenters can be invited to talk to participants on their experience.

Infrastructure, setting, resources

Studio or portable studio

Length

The timetable should be arranged in accordance with the technical facilities of the radio station

Material

5 recording devices (Flash-Card-Devices, Wave- or DAT-Recorders, Flash-Mics). They should be as user friendly as possible. Professional Devices with XLR-Input are recommended (Olympus, TASCAM, Sony or Marantz standard)

At least two telephone hybrids. If not, a speaker phone and a recording device could also be used

Whiteboard/backboard

An appropriate amount of media (cassettes, MDs)

Batteries

Handout Guidelines for Interview

How the activity should take place

Introduction

There will be a presentation on the arrangement and preparation of an interview (see the material enclosed in the appendix).

Questions

There will be an introduction on open and closed questions and their functions. Every participant will be given a single word topic (e.g. alcohol, shark) in order to formulate open or different kinds of closed questions. Following this all relevant topics for a particular interviewee will be selected.

Open questions will be formulated out of the research material and placed in an appropriate order for the upcoming interview (according to different types of interviews).

Types of interviews

A presentation on different types of interview.

Recording devices

The participants will be divided into several groups (depending on the number of recording devices available) so that they work with Flash-Card-Devices, Wave- or DAT-Recorders, Flash-Mics or Smartphones at the same time.

Introduce them to different types of Microphones by recording ambiance noise, Voices, etc

Stages of work

An explanation on the devices themselves and how to use them.

Organise participants in pairs that will interview each other and record it by using portable recorders.

The participants will review what they have recorded.

Note: at least one recording device should be available for each pair of participants and the division into groups should make it possible for them to get acquainted with all the latest recording devices.

Basic interview

The participants will be divided into pairs. One participant will interview the other. Each interview should be 5-10 minutes long. Each participant will have 30 minutes to prepare and record it. The aim of this activity is to practise a brief, simple interview, and more importantly, to practice working with a recording device. The participants should ask each other about their hobbies, music taste, place of birth etc. Afterwards they will listen to the interview. A feedback round regarding the questions of the interview and its structure will follow.

Interview by phone

First the participants will have the practical problems involved in recording an interview by phone explained to them (e.g. how to achieve similar recording levels between the interviewer and the interviewee). Then the technical equipment available to them will be explained thoroughly.

Following this several examples will be played to them and commented upon. Each participant should be told the day before to arrange an interview on the phone with someone. The interview should be 10 minutes long at most (compact and clearly structured). Small groups are preferred for this workshop as the participants will have to carry out this activity individually while other members of the group listen and provide feedback.

The following are the criteria for feedback: ambiance, structure, questions, the overall end product and its technical quality.

Vox Pop

An introduction on the specifics of a Vox Pop exchange as a street poll and its specific technical needs.

The participants will have an hour to perform a Vox Pop in pairs. Upon their return they will review their work, discussing the problems they have encountered. A feedback round will follow.

Studio interview

The participants will learn how to plan an interview with time and location restrictions. They will also have highlighted to them the need to obtain extensive information about the interviewee (research) prior to the interview. Before the interview itself they will have a brief chat with their interviewee explaining how the interview will go, showing him/her around the studio, creating a good atmosphere for the interview. The practice interview should last 15 minutes at most. A feedback round will follow. The following are the criteria for feedback: atmosphere, structure, questions, the overall end product and its technical quality.

Cut and edit

The instructor will give an explanation on hardware and software involved in the editing process. The participants will then work on their recorded material.

Recommended max. number of participants and trainees to trainers ratio

1 to 4 for vision impaired and learning difficulties learners. For vox-pops it might be necessary to organise support for the group. Studio training for Vision impaired should be one to one.

Risk and possible adaptation

For vox-pops it might be necessary to organise support for the learning difficulties / Blind/ Vision impaired participants. Studio training for Vision impaired should be one to one.

Variations

If there are not enough facilities for studio and telephone interviews, groups can work simultaneously (studio, poll, interview etc.). If so, more instructors will be needed (a minimum of two).

Requirements for participants

It is recommended that all the activities be done more than once by all the participants

Analysis and evaluation

Feedback and evaluation will be carried out through the workshop.