SEVEN INTERVIEW TIPS:

"WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE CLAM UP AND ACT UNNATURALLY WHEN YOU STICK A CAMCORDER AND MICROPHONE IN THEIR FACE?"

1. ESTABLISH RAPPORT BEFORE POINTING YOUR CAMCORDER- When you abruptly confront people with questions and a camcorder they feel like they've been taken hostage. Their discomfort drips off their faces and onto your footage. To eliminate this threat, make your subject feel comfortable by breaking the ice with pleasant conversation. Develop trust so their focus remains on you instead of on your camcorder. 2. DO YOUR HOMEWORK- Figure out what your going to ask, where it might lead and how the responses are going to contribute to your story. Too often there's a tendency to think you can "wing it." The perfect questions will arise spontaneously and spawn ideal answers. This approach leads to stumbling, unclear questions and uncomfortable, poor responses. To avoid this, write questions and key points down beforehand. Even if you do end up winging it, at least you'll have your notes to fall back on should the interview begin to falter. If the person you're interviewing gets enthusiastic about a topic, go with it! This is where winging it works. By preparing a list, you have the flexibility to roam while knowing that you can find your way back. 3. ASK GOOD QUESTIONS- Keep your questions simple and focused. Focused questions will give you focused answers. Avoid simple yes or no answers. Your audience should be able to fully understand the answer without hearing your questions.

4. AVOID OVER-DIRECTING - The way you relate to those you interview will directly affect how they respond. It's a thin line between maintaining control and allowing people the freedom to express themselves. The best interviews are the ones where the subjects are most open. But don't be afraid to give someone direction if they seem to have lost their train of thought. 5. DON'T INTERRUPT- Cutting your subject off mid-sentence might ruin a person's train of thought. Often great clips will arise when you try asking the question in a different way after the subject has answered your question. 6. GET AWAY FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY- If there are others involved with who you are shooting, make sure they've given their input before the tape starts rolling. In order to maintain control of the environment make sure all advice to your subject flows through you. 7. DON'T PUTTER WITH THE EQUIPMENT- Constantly fiddling with your equipment throughout an interview will ruin its flow. Make adjustment when it's time to begin a new question. This way you don't miss a beat, and you keep the focus on the interview and away from the camcorder. [Interview Script]

" BY PRACTICING THESE 7 TIPS, YOU CAN REMOVE THE INTIMIDATION AND AWKWARDNESS OF AN INTERVIEW THAT SENDS PEOPLE RUNNING FOR COVER WHEN YOU APPROACH PEOPLE WITH A CAMERA AND MICROPHONE"