Overview 

This standard is about understanding the nature and purpose of various kinds of radio or audio interviews, and the preparation required before each interview starts.

This standard is also about carrying out various kinds of interviews under differing conditions, using suitable interviewing styles, and reacting appropriately to responses.

This standard applies to all those who identify, prepare and interview for radio or audio productions.

 

Performance Criteria 

You must be able to: 

  1. identify the purpose and focus of each item, programme or radio or audio production
  2. identify and locate people to interview, taking into account the need for balance and a mix of views as required
  3. check background facts and personal details to confirm the relevance and authority of interviewees
  4. prepare interviewees with information on the proposed lines of questioning and the contribution expected from them
  5. during the interview, adopt a spontaneous-sounding interview style that encourages the required responses from each interviewee
  6. listen to interviewees responses and follow up answers with questions that offer clarification for audiences 
  7. close interviews when required with appropriate editorial impact
  8. identify interviewees to audiences at relevant times during the item, programme, radio or audio production
  9. check that the views of interviewees are reflected in a fair and accurate way when interviews are edited for delivery
  10. confirm that any release and consent forms are signed by appropriate people
  11. check that members of production and technical teams are briefed with the information they require
  12. work within resource and budget limitations for the radio or audio production

 

Knowledge and understanding 

You need to know and understand: 

  1. the purpose of the radio or audio interview
  2. the different types of interviews and their differing requirements: such as live or recorded, studio or location
  3. the clearly agreed brief for each interview, and the target audiences
  4. how to prepare for interviews and identify interviewees
  5. the deadline for recorded interviews, and the on-air slots for completed and edited interviews
  6. the identities and locations of individual interviewees
  7. the budgets and resources available for each interview
  8. when and why to use release and consent forms
  9. when and why an interviewee’s identity should be protected
  10. the differences between conducting planned and spontaneous interviews
  11. the correct interviewing style to adopt for the purpose of each interview, and the differing requirements of stations, programmes and radio or audio productions
  12. how to prepare questions designed to varied answers, and the uses of both open and closed questions
  13. how to prepare to be interviewed, how to anticipate questions and prepare answers in advance
  14. how to check that interviewees understand what is expected of them
  15. the importance of maintaining eye contact and of using correct body language when conducting face-to-face interviews
  16. the relevant dress codes for different occasions and locations as required
  17. how to close interviews naturally and neatly