BBC Ariel article

Tricks of the trade on interviewing and vocal skills

Done a voice-over and not happy with the popping and clicking going on?

Or completed an interview and wanted to do it all over again because you’re not happy with the result?

Thick saliva, a dry mouth, excess phlegm or a bad case of nerves can produce problems for the most experienced of newsreaders and presenters.

The monthly Useful Stuff digest www.bbctraining.com/useful stuff), compiled by Peter Stewart of training, gives these tips for minimising or eliminating the problem:

Before appearing on air, relax as much as you canAvoid dairy products, coffee or tea with milk, fried food and anything containing oilDrink lots of water before and during an on-air shiftIf mouth noises are really bad, try synthetic saliva that will moisten your mouth. Try Entertainer’s Secret (made of glycerine and aloe – http://www.entertainers-secret.com/) or Vocalzones (http://www.vocalzones.com/) BUT check with your doctor or pharmacist before you use them.

So now you can be heard clear as a bell, but what good is that if the interview isn’t up to scratch?

Here’s what Useful Stuff suggests for the disconcerted interviewer, trying to get good audio as well as all the relevant information.

Don’t be tempted into dominating the conversation; Make your interviewee feel important and be interested in their ideas; Don’t jump from one subject to another; Encourage your subject with eye contact but glance elsewhere now and then, otherwise it becomes aggressive; Use nods of the head to show that you are listening (‘yes’ or ‘I see’ will clutter the interview).

Stewart adds: ‘If you need to check your recorder, do so but look back at the interviewee quickly. They might think you’re bored! Don’t stick to a prearranged list of questions. Make an effort not to ramble or interrupt. If in any doubt, remember the basics: who, what, when, where, why, when and how, and you won’t go far wrong.’

And if you’re still unsure, take a look at Peter Stewart’s new book, Essential Radio Skills. (www.acblack.com/essentialradioskills)

Essential Radio Skills - how to produce and present a radio show

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