Transcript Adam Perry Community Voices Development Manager [email protected] http://newsnet.mediatrust.org/ Register and become part of the conversation.

Adam Perry
Community Voices Development Manager
[email protected]
http://newsnet.mediatrust.org/
Register and become part of the conversation
Introduction
Overview of training session
•Interviewing – research, preparation, structure
•Shooting interview without editing
•Illustrating an interview without editing
Aims and outcomes
To develop confidence in the technical and editorial process of
interviewing and reporting for your community.
Interviewing
Research & Preparation – the keys to a successful interview
•Google, read around the subject, understand the key issues you want
to address.
•Write your questions down in advance, don’t rely on your memory
(it will fail you!)
Structure the interview – especially if you are not planning to edit.
•The 5 Ws - who, what, where, when, why
•Writing your Q’s down will help create a structure. (beginning, middle, end.)
•What would you want to know as a viewer?
•Video – rehearse your interviewee, relax them, work out where you will move the camera.
Conducting an interviewing – without editing
Conducting an interviewing – without editing
How to conduct an interview (without the need to edit.)
•An interview is not a conversation, no matter how well you know the interviewee.
•Prepare your questions in advance and write them down as it will help you
overcome nerves.
•Do not interrupt – unless you want to be Jeremy Paxman!
•Do not make noises of “agreement” off camera – the audience can’t see you and
it will sound odd.
•Ask the interviewee to maintain eye contact with you (the interviewer) throughout
the interview and avoid looking at the camera. (If using video)
•Do not ask closed questions i.e. those to which the interviewee can simply
answer “yes” or “no”.
For more information visit:
http://newsnet.mediatrust.org/howto/reporting-interviewing
Composing a shot
In an interview try and place the head of the interviewee
in the upper third of the frame.
Think about the background – ensure no plants, light stands
or other “visual” distractions appear to be “growing” out of an interviewee’s head.
Try not to place them too close to the background.
Giving them a little distance gives a shot “depth”.
Composing a shot – Rule of Thirds
Composing a shot.
Lighting – do not stand an interviewee directly under a light source as this
will cast shadows under their eyes and chin.
If internal lighting conditions are low standing them by a window offers
a good source of natural light. You should shoot parallel to the window.
Do not position your interviewee so the light source is directly behind them,
shooting into the light will create a silhouette.
If you are interviewing 2 people the most suitable shot will be a
Mid shot in which both people can be seen from the waist up.
Sound quality
Often overlooked this is the most vital technical consideration of all.
A well shot interview is useless if you cannot hear what is being
said.
Try to avoid interview locations where external sounds are beyond
your control i.e. a construction site, main road or a shopping mall
with “muzak” or announcements in the background.
Position the external microphone on the lapel of a jacket, or pin it
mid chest height.
If a particularly loud and obtrusive noise occurs during an
Interview, simply pause and repeat the question.
Interview practice – video and audio
1.Your name or the name under which your are reporting
i.e Citizens’ Eye Derby
2. Location & Date
3. Introduce your interviewee & explain the purpose/
occasion of the interview.
4. Bring the interview to a close, don’t let it drift, mention
your interviewee’s name thank them i.e. John Smith,
thank you.
PHOTOJOURNALISM
Combining text and photos
Picture paints a thousand words….
Community Newswire ran the story and photos from the Dorset Wildlife Trust that captured a
rare pregnant male seahorse. The picture helped to prove to environmentalists that
seahorses are breeding in British waters.
The story proved to be very popular and was used by an array of newspapers and
broadcasters, including The Times, Daily Telegraph, Radio 2, American broadcaster ABC
and local press.
Photojournalism
•A photo increases the chances of a story being picked up by 30%
(NUJ 2004)
•A single image can tell a powerful story…….
•What’s the story and where can you position yourself in order to
capture that story?
•Put yourself where the story is.
•Composition = Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines, Symmetry
Photojournalism
When planning an interview someone or story.
1.Do the interview first, it helps establish a rapport with your subject.
2.Try to work out what makes your subject relax.
3.Talk to them, ask them to perform a routine task.
4.Details – objects, signs, posters - can help to fill in gaps.
5.Listen to what they have said in their interview, are their particular
references you can use as photo-opportunities.
6.Establish the context for your subject – their environment (office, home
etc)
For more information watch and interview with photojournalist Fran
Monks @
http://newsnet.mediatrust.org/howto/photojournalism