A1 Diary
Updated: Feb 26
INTERVIEWS AND HOW TO DO THEM
What are interviews?
What are the different types?
How do they differ?
How to prepare questions?
How to arrange an interview?
How to record an interview?
How to transcribe an interview?
What are interviews?
Interviews are made to gather information, get to know opinions of others, entertain and to speak truth to power.
Journalists interview many people; they could be famous or just random people from down the street. This provides journalist to interview in many different ways.
The entertainment side of interviews are to tell a story that the reader enjoys to read. This not only brings joy to the reader but also makes journalists which provide entertainment in there interview, more well-known.
Term 'speak truth to a power' means that journalist will try to challenge someone on an issue, a policy etc. for reasons of accountability.
What are the different types of interviews?
There are many types of interviews, like: Vox Pop, Studio, witness, Profile, Q+A and Press Conference.
Vox Pop is gathering random public opinions in one question, by this journalists then creates for example a diagram with the results to make it clear what public thinks about certain type of things.
Studio is a pre-arranged broadcast interview, where journalist invites someone to the studio and gets information from them by asking a variety of questions.
Witness interview is when journalist travels to a place where crime or any case happened and asks someone who has first hand experience of an event questions.
Profile is interviewing someone to build a profile for them, or something they are attached to, using them, or a strong source to build a profile.
Q+A (question + answer) interview is a simple question/answer technique, where journalist ask simple questions without extending on one question.
Press Conference is an interview given to many journalists, at one time, used answered in a panel system.
How do these interviews differ?
These interviews differ from each other by one main bit, they are all used in different kind of scenarios. As if journalist wants to interview a famous person about their life, they wont proceed to interview them by a 'witness' type of interview, as it wont make sense and wouldn't fit. Better option will be 'studio' or 'profile' types of interview.
How to prepare an interview?
Find a right angle:
What is it you gonna talk about?
This bit is very important as it basically gives a journalist an understanding what they going to talk about on the interview due to them going through it before hand.
Set your scope:
What is the range of stuff? Their work, personal time?
This gives an interviewer a better perspective on questions to ask if they know about what particularly they want to ask.
What's the story:
What do you want from interview?
What is the story you wish to tell?
Research:
Find as much about them as you can.
Read/listen/watch interviews with them to build your questions up and not to repeat the ones they were asked before.
Test/ Practise:
Check equipment, to make sure it works correctly.
Write Questions:
Must have a good set of questions.
It's fine to deviate from these if the interview takes that way. if not, prepare on which leading questions to ask (or improvise).
Vox-Pop
In the last 2 days, we were asked to do a Vox-Pop on a topic that we prefer. Me and my group decided to ask people 'What is your favourite music genre, and why?'. Due to many people only saying their favoutite genre and not giving an answer to 'why?' we decided to ask them a following up question 'What artist is your favourite?'
At first, we approached younger generation and most of them gave us pretty good responses. Their most popular response was 'metal'. When we approached an elderly couple, their response was "rock'n'roll", which we found very interesting. Also, we had response like 'k-pop' and 'indie' but with not much details.
I was asked to record some parts of Nottingham where we came up to people and some which have a music vibe to them.
Personally, I found this activity not only interesting but also very helpful, as from now on I will get the idea of Vox-Pop more due to being able to actually experience it.
Prepare for Interview:
Prepare Timeline
1) Research your subject. Look at previous interviews.
2) Write questions, keep them open, interesting, with narrative flow. Prepare for follow-ups.
3) Add questions to cards/auto cue
4) Rehearse, check angles, lights, mics, cameras.
Conduct Timeline
1) Check all tech.
2) Chat to guest first, ensure they understand what is happening, where chat will go.
3) Film.
4) Immediate review, film noddies/ rephrase questions.
Edit Timeline
1) Review all material ASAP.
2) Produce a transcript.
3) Cut video.
4) Write a narrative.
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Interview with Helen Naylor
Daria (me) Eleanor
Intro
Good Afternoon, Nottingham College, my names Daria, my name is Eleanor. Today we are here with lovely Helen Naylor.
Hello, Helen, how are you?
So, you released a book called "My mother, Munchausen and me". did seeing anyone sharing their stories through media, encouraged you to do the same?
Questions
1. Did seeing anyone sharing their stories through media, encouraged you to do the same?
Your first book was called "The Flower that couldn't grow". How biographical would you say that story was?
Do you think your mother left her diary specifically for you to find? Is this why she left page numbers, to direct you?
Would you say your relationship with your mother has impacted your own motherhood and how you are with children?
Did finding out about your mother's lies conflict with the memories of your dad?
Do you feel he was complicit, or was he a victim of your mum in his own way?
Do you feel as though your dad didn't interfere due to his own physical issues.
Outro
Anyways, thank you for talking about your story with us today. It was great seeing you and hearing you being so open, good bye!
Roles:
Interviewers - Daria (me), Eleanor.
Directors - Drew, Millie.
Floor manager - Ruby
Cameraman - Zuzanna.
Info+Source
In the interview, I was the interviewer. My job was to memories as many questions as i could to look professional on the camera.
During this interview, I didn't get a chance on picking up technical skills but I everyone in the group edited their own final video of the interview, so the only technical skill I did was the editing of the video which was then posted on YouTube.
I think, my final piece was pretty good. As it was my first editing of the video, I think I can always improve even on minor skills which I cant notice right now.
To make the interview look more professional, now I will try to learn all of the questions so I want have moments where I need to look down at paper to remember them. Also, I will try to speak louder.
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Media Bias
Bias is strongly learning towards one side of an argument.
There is two types of bias, objective and subjective. The difference between 2 is: objective bias means that person is informed by facts and not informed by opinion, taste or feelings but subjective bias means that person is informed by an individual's personal opinion, feelings or taste.
The political spectrum of Bias is the beliefs of two wings (Left and Right).
Left Wing- Liberal/Progressive - Equality, social change, more active role for the government in society.
Right Wing - Conservative - individual freedom, tradition, order, limited government role, low taxes, personal responsibility.
Bias could affect news in many different ways, such as: Story Selection and Omission, Framing and Narrative, Source Selection.
Story Selection and Omission - Journalists decided themselves which news are worthy to post/ share with media. This could lead to incomplete pictures of events.
Framing and Narrative - the type of ways which journalist writes in, has a huge impact on news and society. For example, calling a group of people "illegal immigrants" versus "undocumented workers" evokes different emotional responses and perceptions.
Source Selection - Journalists may prefer sources which go along their previous beliefs, instead of using an open-mind sources.
Ownership of the news media:
News UK: Controls one-third of the national newspaper market and owns titles such as The Sun and The Times.
DMG Media: Owns The Daily Mail and The Mail on Sunday.
Reach plc: Owns The Daily Mirror and The Sunday Mirror.
Others: Scott Trust Limited owns The Guardian and The Observer, and Press Holdings owns The Daily Telegraph and The
Sunday Telegraph.
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OP-ED
Opinion Editorial Planning Worksheet
Step 1: Choose Your Topic
Pick a current issue or topic you care about. It could be local, national, or global.
My Topic: Masculinity in men is dying
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Step 2: State Your Opinion
Write a clear thesis statement expressing your opinion.
Thesis Statement: "I believe that..."
Step 3: Support Your Opinion
List 2–3 strong arguments that support your thesis. Include facts, examples, or personal experiences.
Step 4: Address the Other Side
What might someone who disagrees say? Write a counterargument and your rebuttal.
Counterargument: "Some people might say..."
Rebuttal: "However, I believe..."
Step 5: Call to Action or Conclusion
End with a powerful closing. What do you want readers to think, feel, or do?
Conclusion / Call to Action:
Final Checklist
Before writing your op-ed, make sure:
[ ] I have a clear opinion.
[ ] I support my opinion with strong evidence.
[ ] I addressed a counterargument.
[ ] My tone is persuasive and respectful.
[ ] I have a strong conclusion.
Traditional masculinity is DEAD
Social media: many men get brainwashed on social media and start acting the way people on TikTok told them too, to “not get hurt”. Also, there is many comedians which are misogynist and highly liked by men.
Desperate to show how masculine they are, when their masculinity should be shown without trying hard. (holding a door, helping someone to cross the road, caring about close ones).
Mental Health: due to nowadays men typically get lower results in uni than women, having less friends (compared to previous generation) and usually growing up without a farther figure; they are more insecure about themselves.
Most of the actions may now be seen as sexual assault: many men are scared to hold door or being nice to strangers (women) as their actions could be taken in the wrong way.
Some people suggest that masculinity is evolving men are tired to be seen as breadwinners.
Research for Op-Ed
To make my Op-Ed as accurate as possible, I did some research on how men changed, not only in a masculine type of way. I researched how men showed themselves in education sphere and this is what i found:
Compared to previous years, men now get lower grades.
Which means, women have higher grades usually now.
Also, I found an article from Vogue which talks about how embarrassing having a boyfriend now is, which in my opinion related to my topic as men used to be seen as a very good figure next to women back in the days, and now in some cases its just embarrassing.
I did some research on comedians which discriminate women in the most outrages ways and tell people its just a joke.
Here are some links to my point about how male are falsely accused of sa, which links to my point 'most of actions are seen as sa':
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Reviews
Purpose - What is the meaning behind it, is there a deeper message, why was it made?
Amateur reviews: can be bias, have other motives, not experts, have spent their own money and overly emotional or under explaining.
Professional reviews: freelance or employed- more detailed, not bias, uninfluenced, deeper understanding and more emotions, trustworthy and entertaining.
Review of film - The present
What is this film about? Boy is gifted a disabled dog, he proceeds to treat her badly. Even though a boy has a disability too.
Is there a deeper plot? His attitude towards his dog, reflects his attitude towards himself- hatred.
Who is it for? For audience which have any sort of disability or not enough of self-love.
How did it make you feel? sad and confused at the start. By the end it made me happy.
Why? At first, dog was treated badly and then little boy treated dog right.
What are its pros? It shows the struggle disabled people have to achieve self-love.
What are its cons? Confusing at first.
Stars: 🌟🌟🌟
A metaphor in this film is shown clearly but at first its hard to spot it. The plot itself was very good and pleasing. I would recommend anyone who has any sort of self-conscious to watch this.
My Review on Concerts
The concerts which changed my perspective of music
If we're talking about 2hollis’s concert, not only was he very energetic, but the openers (Mechatok and Rommulas) also gave the audience positive energy that carried throughout the whole gig. As soon as 2hollis went on stage, the crowd was very dynamic and loud. The mosh pits on the right side of the venue were not as intense as those in the middle, where people were getting stepped on and needed help. But the security acted quickly and helped those in trouble. I really enjoyed my time at this concert, as not only were the people around me respectful and gave space to those who needed it, but I also got to hear one of my favourite artists perform live.
2hollis began as 'Drippysoup' just seven years ago and is now performing for large crowds worldwide. His music blends influence like Chief Keef (early 2010s), Xaviersobased, Snowstrippers, and bits of Crystal Castles and Drain Gang.
“Both Yung Lean and 2hollis' performances are something everyone needs to experience in their lives.”
When comparing Yung Lean’s concert to 2hollis, I experienced more mosh pits at Yung Lean's. I was there by myself and really had no protection, so I did get hit once in the head, and some people stepped on my feet, but it did not change my mood. I was still as happy to see Yung Lean perform live as I was before I got into the venue. Also, there was more pushing as I was in the middle of the venue, where mosh pits are more likely to open; yet again, it did not change my positive view of the concert. This concert was also very dynamic, and the artist did not disappoint. If talking of the openers, one of them was Yung Sherman, who was getting booed at and not really respected by the crowd. But when the second opener came out, the crowd went crazy. It was Esdeekid. When Yung Lean came on stage and played ‘Smirnoff Ice,’ the crowd calmed down and vibed to the music. It stayed like that throughout the whole concert.
Yung Lean started around 2012 with the ‘Sad Boys’ and gained traction in 2013 after 'Ginseng Strip 2002' went viral. He is seen as a pioneer of early Cloud Rap.
Overall, both Yung Lean and 2hollis' performances are something everyone needs to experience
in their lives. This was one of the best things I spent my money on.
(5 stars)
Research links:
https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/for-a-moment-you-become-the-art-yung-lean-by-vincent-cassell
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Fake News
How big news story gets published
Source - journalist finds source who provides details.
Confirm - back up evidence? Can others confirm?
Context - why story happening?
Fact check - everything needs to be checked.
Right of reply - offered a chance to give their side of the story.
Publish - share.
Anyone can make up a story and go viral
Bad Actors - create a story to serve their agenda.
Public/bots - people retweet, share etc. especially if it has strong novelty.
Viral - Once it starts being shared, social media companies promote it further, can break it into mainstream media.
Information Disorder
Misinformation - unintentionally disturbing false information.
Disinformation - knowingly developing and disseminating incorrect information intended to deceive.
Mal-information - information that is based in reality but disseminated with the intend to inflict harm.
Cui Bono?
Who benefits?: When looking at
phenomenon, look for a motive.
Example of real news which sound fake
made by me
Truth to Power
Carole Cadwalladr - journalist who revealed how Facebook data was used to influence elections through Cambridge Analytica. She made a public complaint that Facebook harms democracy. Facebook was influenced by intense scrutiny and penalties as a result, and she also had to deal with lawsuits, abuse, and legal and emotional pressure. In summary, she paid a personal price for challenging Big Tech's influence in politics.
The Windrush Scandal
2018 - Amelia Gentleman noticed that people of colour were getting sent to foreign countries.
After WW2 UK was going through hard time and asked past colonies to come and work in Britain. People of colour helped Britain to gain back their economics but after many years, were forced to go "back" even though many of them were now considered British and had a British passport. Government explained it by saying that them people need proof of being British or they will be forcefully "sent back". People of colour were forced to go into the foreign country where they have no relatives, without money and personal belongings.
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Technical Skills
Importance of Intro and Outro
The importance of intro and outro is that it makes it clear when the video is about to start and when the video comes to the end. Also, by having good intro and outro it makes the video feel easier to watch as the intro blends into the beginning of video and outro slowly appears at the end.
Examples of bad intros:
To make the intro looking nice and professional we should avoid the following ones:
Examples of good intros:
Why the use of music important and how to pick the one which sounds right
The right use of music is really important when editing a podcast on a video. For example, if you proceed to use a happy music for a podcast which has a very hard topic, it will be seen as a very weird choice and just not give the extra atmosphere which music intends to do.
The right use of music:
To make your editing of podcast or video seem professional and give the right atmosphere to the audience, you need to pick the music which goes well with the topic.
Hard topic - sad or neutral soundtrack.
Happy topic- lofi or cheerful soundtrack.
Controversial topic - calm soundtrack.
Importance of camera angels
Camera angels is one of the most important things during filming the video. The angel of the camera can change the whole purpose of the filming:
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