Interview Preparation

As we examine the elements of what makes for a good

interview, we sometimes dismiss the vocal preparations we

normally do for copy reading, tracking, or other reporting

responsibilities. The sense is that this isn’t the same

kind of performance as tracking in a sound booth, and in a

good interview, it is the subject, not the interviewer who

does most of the talking.

However, it is vital that you do the same physical,

psychological, and emotional preparations you would do for

any other vocal performance. Those who have worked with a

voice coach, and especially those of you I have worked with

know what “set-up” is. It simply means doing a thorough

vocal warm-up, deep breathing, articulation and diction

exercises, and in fact anything else you would normally do

to prepare for a performance.

This not only clears your mind and helps you focus on the

matters at hand, it also reminds you how important the

emotional and psychological aspects of your performance

really are. Frankly, the emotional and psychological parts

of your warm up can often be critical to how your interview

turns out. Your ability to focus, to listen intently, to

concentrate on the details of the interview are clearly

stronger when you do a warm up than when it is ignored.

The warm up is also important in helping you shift your own

mental gears from wearing the “writer”, “producer”, or

“editor” hats to your “journalist” hat, the one that draws

on your skills of intuition, observation, and empathy with

your subject, rather than your judgemental and critical

senses you use in your other capacities.

Next week: setting the ground rules. Until then, breathe

deeply!