Content Research - Andrew Boyd Broadcast Journalism Techinques of Radio and Television News (CHAPTER 9 INTERVIEWING - Setting Up the Interview) (TV NEWS PRODUCTION)

Chapter 9 Interviewing - Setting Up The Interview

"The interview is an intimate conversation between journalist and politician wherein the journalist seeks to take advantage of the garrulity of the politician and the politician of the credulity of the journalist" - (Emery Kelen) 

In this book by Andrew Boyd, I have been reading about the best advice, tips, and the different aspects of when interviewing for a story. To start off within Boyd's book, he mentions a two-step task, for the first one being very aware and knows about the story. The second step is to, 'getting a clear idea of what to ask, which depends on the type of interview involved and its duration'. (Boyd, A. 2001). I very much find those two steps to be very important, very helpful for my interest and knowledge of my idea, and honestly a simple tip to think and remember about for future purposes. Before delivering your story and interviews going ahead and with the audiences watching from home, all of the facts must be correct and honest. Boyd mentions if any mistakes are made, it can really damage your job, career, and reputation. Even your own newsroom company could feel embarrassed and lose their audiences. "Keep to the point - and the point should be whatever has the greatest impact on your audience". (Boyd, A. 2001). Reading that line of text shows how Boyd takes the job role of news very seriously, how they care about showing and telling honest stories, and on targeted subjects for their viewers. 

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When it comes to reporting on location, Boyd mentions this style called a Bread and Butter story. To set up a story from a fire service been informed of a fire at a block of flats (apartments), individuals who live there have all been evacuated and the media arrive at the location of the incident. Boyd mentions in the book 'if your brief is to produce a 20 - second clip then you have space for one line of questioning only'. (Boyd, A. 2001). What I personally agree with that text, is because of how severe and dangerous the situation is, you as a reporter will only be able to ask questions at that pace. For the fire services availability, the individuals who are at risk are a lot more engagement, than the property and not asking in-depth questions to the media. Andrew Boyd explains for yourself in person to be reporting that type of story, and from the questions, you would ask, 'Has anyone been hurt? who? and what happened to them'? From those very short, simple, and on-topic questions, Boyd is saying about the limitations and relevance to ask about. I do think, Boyd, is showing the right example of how to stay on topic and knowing precisely what to say next for those quick and fast-paced interviews. When it comes to the approach to interviews, Boyd says that different types of news stations have a difference in dress code. It is very important to dress up in a suit if you're interviewing a politician and on business with no objections or disagreements to that argument.  'If your deadline is only fifteen minutes away, your manner must be calm and relaxed, polite yet assertive but never aggressive' (Boyd, A. 2001) This line of advice, will keep on reminding myself for when I come across that potential experience of interviewing an individual with those professional feelings and emotions. In my opinion, it is very important to begin an interview you should always, a pleasant greeting, a firm handshake and a good deal of eye contact is the best way to begin, with a clear statement about who you are and which radio or TV station you represent'. (Boyd, A.2001). This is yet another line of advice, Boyd has advised from his book for when I start to interview my contributors. Another exciting part to include for an interview is focusing on not rehearsing but discussing. Boyd uses the saying, 'repeats of interviews are like second-hand cars, they lose their pace and sparkle'. (Boyd, A. 2001). From advice, I have been given before when making documentaries in the past, is to always ask very simple and minor questions, before diving into the main topic. Or has Boyd himself would say, 'the nitty-gritty'. 

Boyd really thinks and knows how 'body language', is a very important part of interviewing someone. The way we position ourselves to sit, legs, or arms crossed. It shows how we feel. (Boyd, A. 2001) says 'you know he or she is on the defensive and needs to be relaxed.' In the conversation for the first question, it should let your interviewee feel comfortable and from Boyd's quotes from his book, "that first question can be a dummy that you can edit out later". That does help me when it comes to doing the interview, it should help me and my interviewee get to feel more trustworthy and confident with each other. 

"Good questions produce good answers. The secret is to think ahead to the answers you are likely to get before asking your questions". (Boyd, A. 2001).

The six main words to ask questions from Boyd's part on 'ask the questions that will get answers'. Is the who, what, when, where, why, and how. I do find by using and remembering those specific words will also develop my journey when being in that position. Boyd once again uses those six specific words as an example, 'who was hurt in the crash?', 'what caused the crash?', 'When did it happen'? 'where did the accident occur?', 'Why did it take so long to get the passengers out? 'and how did you manage to get them out?'. Once again as well, this as an example can help me use those six words as a question and to keep on topic from my own story. 

When it comes to the word "finally", Boyd mentions that it's best to take caution if you use the word, if anything could occur during the interview, and not repeating yourself by using the word "finally" as well. Boyd quotes from that point, "and finally sounds a little foolish". I do believe Boyd's meaning of that argument and I would make sure to be cautious in person. When concluding an interview, Boyd suggests that you should say "thank you" when the live interviews end and when the live news has been moved back to the presenter. He also suggests if anything may get awkward, unfair, or any interruptions when the time has run out from the interviewee, he advises with two very sensible and professional attitudes towards the guest, "well I'm afraid we must stop there". Or "That's all we've got time for Miss Smith thank you very much". I am sure there are many other examples that are very appropriate and sensible to be said. The book also mentions, if "Miss Smith", would refuse her time out, the producer of the team would have the right and authority to switch off Miss Smith's microphone and I quote from Boyd's words, "usher her out" (Boyd, A. (2001). 

Bibliography

1.] Boyd, A. (2001) Broadcast Journalism Techniques of Radio and Television News (5th ed.) Oxford: Focal Press.

At: https://www.academia.edu/34484921/_Andrew_Boyd_Broadcast_Journalism_Fifth_Edition_b_ok_org_

(Accessed 22/10/20) 

2.] Boyd, A. (2001) Andrew Boyd: INTERVIEWING 9 Setting Up The Interview: Oxford: pp. 138 - 152