NB Voices & Narrative Tool Kit
Preparing for an Interview
Bob Miller's advice about preparing someone to be filmed:
A week prior to the interview arrange to talk with the person to be interviewed either in person or over the phone. Ask them to think about the highlights of the story they want to tell and give them a week to gather their thoughts. Tell them to call if they have any questions before the interview. After the week has passed ask them to give you the highlights and let them know that you, the interviewer, will structure the questions. The interviewer should then organize the information given in order of relative importance to the overall story. After the questions are written they should be reviewed by the person to be interviewed. Explain how the interview will be set up and let the subject know that any time during the interview they can stop and reflect and then continue. This relaxes the interviewee and makes for a much better interview. Be prepared to suggest a location where the interview will take place. Read the technical advice to insure you have the best setting for filming. "Following these steps of setting up the interview will put the interviewee in the driver's seat and that seat is very comfortable."
- Bob Miller, Video Producer/Director, Riverline Associates, Fredericton, NB
A week prior to the interview arrange to talk with the person to be interviewed either in person or over the phone. Ask them to think about the highlights of the story they want to tell and give them a week to gather their thoughts. Tell them to call if they have any questions before the interview. After the week has passed ask them to give you the highlights and let them know that you, the interviewer, will structure the questions. The interviewer should then organize the information given in order of relative importance to the overall story. After the questions are written they should be reviewed by the person to be interviewed. Explain how the interview will be set up and let the subject know that any time during the interview they can stop and reflect and then continue. This relaxes the interviewee and makes for a much better interview. Be prepared to suggest a location where the interview will take place. Read the technical advice to insure you have the best setting for filming. "Following these steps of setting up the interview will put the interviewee in the driver's seat and that seat is very comfortable."
- Bob Miller, Video Producer/Director, Riverline Associates, Fredericton, NB
