How to interview for print, TV and radio

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How to interview for print, TV and radio

By The Guardian Masterclasses

Date and time

Saturday, August 9, 2014 · 10am - 5pm GMT+1

Location

The Guardian

Kings Place 90 York Way London N1 9GU United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Contact the organizer to request a refund.

Description

A must for journalists, bloggers and broadcasters – four of the best interviewers in the business tell you how its done

Featuring a dream team of renowned talents from print, TV and radio, this unique course is a must for journalists, bloggers and podcasters alike. The day features priceless advice from a quartet of heavyweight interviewers, providing a comprehensive crash course in interview techniques for investigative reporting and celebrity features, plus specialist skills for radio and TV. The line-up includes three of the Guardian's most experienced interviewers, critic and broadcaster Mark Lawson, investigative reporter Amelia Hill and features writer Simon Hattenstone, plus legendary editor and publisher Mark Ellen.

Whether it's grilling a politician in front of the camera, teasing an amusing anecdote out of a surly musician, or doorstepping a dangerous criminal, discover the tricks of the trade for getting the most out of your subjects. This all-encompassing course covers every angle of the interviewing process, from securing access to finding an original angle and preparing questions, and turning your conversation into a completed feature.

This course is for you if...

  • You're a professional journalist who wants to improve your interview technique
  • You're an aspiring journalist who wants to understand best practice or gain confidence
  • You currently work in print journalism but want to move into broadcasting
  • You run a website, blog or podcast and want to know how to secure and execute interviews

Course description

This one day large-scale seminar features intensive technique advice from four renowned interviewers. Mixing multimedia presentations, question and answer sessions, and practical exercises in interview techniques, sessions cover interviewing for print and online, as well as TV and radio, and handling both hard news and celebrity interviewees. Topics covered on the day include:

  • Preparation, research and structuring your questions
  • Angles and treatments, and how to ask questions away from the PR agenda
  • Dealing with PRs and negotiating time slots
  • Performance techniques for mic and camera
  • Chairing debates and interviewing multiple participants
  • Dealing with PRs and negotiating time slots
  • Negotiating difficult subject areas
  • How to handle reluctant and fearful interviewees
  • How to deal with threatening and dangerous situations
  • How to charm the difficult, the demanding or the downright drunk
  • Covert interviewing techniques
  • Ethical considerations

Tutor profiles

Simon Hattenstone is a Guardian features writer and interviewer. He has ghost-written books for snooker world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and Duwayne Brooks, the friend of Stephen Lawrence who was attacked with him. He also has published two ebook compilations of interviews with actors and sporting giants.

Amelia Hill is special investigations correspondent and reporter for the Guardian, who most famously broke the Milly Dowler phone hacking story. She specialises in gaining inside access to normally confidential situations such as courts, hospitals, prisons and international institutions.

Mark Lawson is a presenter, novelist and cultural critic. He has published four novels including Idlewild, Going Out Live and Enough is Enough. For over 15 years he was the lead presenter of BBC Radio 4's Front Row and is currently the host of BBC 4's Mark Lawson talks to… series. He also writes for the Guardian.

Mark Ellen is an editor, writer and broadcaster. He began his professional life on Record Mirror in 1977, then the New Musical Express before becoming editor of Smash Hits and Select, launch editor of Q and managing editor of MOJO. In the evenings he worked for Radio One and BBC TV's Whistle Test and was one of the presenters of Live Aid in 1985. As EMAP Metro's editor-in-chief, he was in charge of their music, film, entertainment and teenage titles, leaving in 2001 to help launch The Word magazine which he edited for 10 years. He has just published his highly-acclaimed music memoir, Rock Stars Stole My Life!

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website

Organized by

Welcome to Guardian Masterclasses – a unique programme of learning embedded within one of the world's most forward-thinking media organisations.

We offer a broad range of short and long courses across a variety of disciplines from creative writing, journalism, photography and design, film and digital media, music and cultural appreciation.

Harnessing the expertise and specialisms within the organisation, our courses are led by first class and award winning guardian professionals whilst also drawing on the skills and expertise of other leading figures at the forefront of the creative and digital industries.

The programme is aimed at anyone interested in personal or professional development whether that be refining your skills, focusing your ambition or simply broadening your mind and gaining inspiration.

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