Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Minutes to hours
Here's How:

Introduce yourself and explain what you are doing.
Identify yourself. And what is it you're writing about?
Example: Hi, How are you today? I'm ________ and I'm in Video Production Class. Our next assignment is to conduct an interview and I would like to interview you. Have you already been asked for an interview? (If so, then thank them and excuse yourself. Tell them I look forward to seeing your interview in class.) If not, then set a mutually acceptable time and place for the interview. You meet with them at a time that is BEST FOR THEM.
They may ask for a copy of the questions you plan to ask so they can be prepared. It would be best to have these questions ready when you set up a time and location to shoot the interview. If the questions aren't ready, then tell them you will give them a copy of your questions at least 24 hours in advance of the shoot. BE RESPONSIBLE AND DO WHAT YOU SAY. I will check to see how you did.

If they've been scheduled by someone else, then move on to the next person on your list.

REMEMBER: You can only interview teachers, support staff, and art students. You are not allowed to interview anyone who is in any of the video classes.

You MUST report to me 1st, before interviewing.

I need to know WHO you are interviewing, WHERE you will interview them and WHAT time and day the interview is to take place. You will give me a copy of your questions. This must happen BEFORE the interview takes place. If I'm not at school, leave your info on my desk.

Prepare and practice ahead of time, twelve questions. SPEAK THE QUESTIONS aloud. Your timing will be off if you simply practice your questions by reading them in your head. You may have more than 12 questions if you'd like, but your video should not be longer than ten minutes. Check your audio meter when your subject is speaking. If the audio is not bouncing toward the red mark when they speak, your audio level needs to be adjusted or you need to move the camera closer to your subject. Reshoot the answer if necessary. Points will be deducted if audio is difficult to hear.

Ask your subject to spell his or her name. (Don't assume that "Smith" isn't spelled "Smyth.") WRITE THIS DOWN in your folder. Spell the source's name back to him or her to make sure you got it right.

When asking a question, give the source room to breathe. Let your person carry on with his/her train of thought and expand upon the question. (Be a good listener)

Don't be afraid to slow a source down or have him/her explain what they are saying if you don't understand.

A bit of friendliness goes a long way.

Always say thank you. Your time is valuable, and so is theirs. Thank them for taking the time to speak with you.

What You Need: (in general, but not necessarily in a video interview)

* A notebook and pen

* A camera, tripod, light reflector if you have an assistant.
Remember to shoot CU, MCU and LS. Keep the background simple and uncluttered. Remember light behind the subject will make the subject seem darker. So be careful to have good light that makes your subject well-lit but not over-exposed.

How To Conduct an Interview

Interviews have four stages that precede the writing of a story: arrangements, preparation, the actual interview and the reconstruction.

ARRANGEMENTS: Once you have decided to interview someone, make an appointment. Identify yourself by your name and tell them about your assignment.

PREPARATION: Prepare your questions in advance in writing and bring them to the interview. Ask other questions as they might arise, based on what the interviewee says or something new that might come to you on the spur of the moment. Bring two pencils (or pens) and paper. You also should take notes, because it will help in the reconstruction phase.

THE INTERVIEW: It is inadvisable to launch right into the interview unless you are only being given a few minutes. Some casual conversation to start with will relax both of you. Questions should be as short as possible. Give the respondent time to answer. Be a good listener. If he or she prattles on, it is appropriate to move on as politely as you can. You might say something such as: "Fine, but let me ask you this ". Try to draw out specifics: How long, how many, when, etc.? Absorb the atmospherics of the locale where the interview takes place, with particular attention to what might be a reflection of the interviewee's personality and interests, such as photos of children or bowling trophies or a paper-littered desk or a clean one, etc. Note characteristics of the interviewee that might be worth mentioning in your story, such as pacing, looking out the window to think, hand gestures and the like. If a photo is needed and is not taken during the interview, be sure to make arrangements then to have one taken at a later time.

RECONSTRUCTION: As soon as it's practical after the interview, find a quiet place to review your handwritten notes. In your haste while taking notes, you may have written abbreviations for words that won't mean anything to you a day or two later. Take out hesitations, filler words and mistakes as you see fit. Clean it up. We call this scrubbing. Then you can edit your various shots in any order that you like. Make it flow, but keep the pace.

Additional things to consider:

Avoid Yes or No
Ask your questions in a logical sequence. When framing your questions, avoid questions that will result in "yes" or "no" answers. Questions should be open ended and you should encourage your guests to elaborate on their responses.

Stay in Control
Keep in mind that YOU are the interviewer and you should be directing and controlling the conversation. Occasionally that means you might need to interrupt your guest or bring them back to the topic at hand. There are ways to effectively do this without being rude, practice language that you might use, or better yet watch television interviewers when involved in a conflict and take a cue from the language and techniques that they use.

Time Cues
Let your interviewer know that you will provide time warnings and involve, use statements like: "one more question", or "let's wrap this up, can you quickly tell me" to cue your guest that time is almost up.

Give Thanks
Thank your guest on and off air. Provide them a copy or link to the interview. Encourage your guest to link to the show, this could potentially bring your show some additional publicity for your show.

QUESTION IDEAS:

1. Where were you born? Describe your childhood home and where it was.

2. Where did you grow up and what was it like there?

3. Do you have pets? What makes them special to you?

4. What did you enjoy doing as a child? What was your favorite outdoor activity?

5. Did you attend church or religious services? What were your earliest memories?

6. Describe you parents. What were they like? What did they do?

7. Where did your father work? What is your strongest image of your father?

8. Did your mother have a job? What is your favorite memory of her?

9. Describe your grandparents. What did you enjoy the most about them?

10. Who were some of your friends growing up and did your parents like them?

11. Did your friends ever get you in trouble when you were younger?

12. What were some of your chores and did you get and allowance?

13. How old were you when you went on your first date? Where did you go?

14. What were some of your first jobs?

15. What did you like to do in your free time? What do you do now?

16. What were some of the crazy fads you or your friends went through?

17. Did you admire a famous person? What made them admirable?

18. What mischievious prank have you played on someone?

19. What were your family finances like growing up and how did that affect you?

20. How did you meet your husband/wife and what drew you to him/her?

21. What are some of your fondest memories with your husband/wife?

22. What are some of your favorite activities, or food? ( color, food, ice cream, book, movie, song, sport, etc)

23. Is there something you wish you could do over again?

24. What have been some of your biggest challenges in life?

25. Tell me about a memorable moment in your life; a time you will never forget.

26. What are some of the changes in our society that you have seen in your lifetime?

27. What great historical events you have experienced in your lifetime?

28. What is something that you are really proud of and why?

29. What are the goals you are still working toward?

30. How do you want to be remembered?

Actor's Studio

1. What is your favorite word?

2. What is your least favorite word?

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

4. What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

5. What sound or noise do you love?

6. What sound or noise do you hate?

7. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

8. What profession would you not like to do?