By John Ensslin, Region 9 Director
Betsy Model has done her fair share of interviews as a former contributor for National Public Radio and the BBC. Small wonder then that SPJ tapped Betsy to lead a workshop on interviewing at our 100th anniversary convention in Indianapolis later this month.
I asked Betsy about the art of the interview. Here’s what she had to say:
What’s your talk at the SPJ convention about?
Betsy Model
It’s about interviewing…something all of us do everyday and think we have down pretty pat! What I hope to bring to the workshop is perhaps a different perspective on HOW to interview and how to get the most out of the time you spend, whether it’s with an athlete, an inmate, a politician or an entertainer. I’ll also be talking about how to snag difficult interview subjects and perhaps some tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years in how to handle (laughs) difficult people.
What are some important steps to remember in any interview?
The most difficult thing in the world sometimes – for me, too – is to shut up and listen, even when there are times when an uncomfortable silence builds. Maybe even especially when an uncomfortable silence builds! Oftentimes all you need to do is keep an expressive face – eye contact, a raising of the eyebrows, a smile – and your source will just keep going. And sometimes going and going and going! Nine times out of ten I find that that’s when I get the most interesting and unexpected material.
What are some things to avoid?
Hmm. I try to never anticipate an answer although that’s a very common human reaction, especially among those of us who interview day in, day out. I try to not rush an interview nor go in with a very specific story angle or three quick questions and then – poof! – my job is done and I’m outta there. And although it’s not a practical option in many instances, especially during an economy when editors are slashing budgets and time spent on any one particular story, I try to do as few serious interviews over the phone or via email as possible. You’re getting only a tiny, tiny picture on who that person is via phone and Internet. Whenever possible, aim for face time. You’ll always, always get a better interview.
Do you use a tape recorder for interviews?
You bet…always. And, luddite that I am, I actually still use analog tapes 95% of the time. From a “green” perspective, I realize that it’s probably better for me to give up the manufacturing waste and storage issues of cassettes but, frankly, they’re much simpler to transcribe than digital format when, say, an interview runs four hours. Or four days.
Who is your favorite interviewer?
Wow, that’s a tough one. Oddly enough, I’m not a big fan of some of the bigger names out there in the world of television or radio because I think they’re pretty “softball” in their questioning. Plus, you can often tell that they’re just not prepared for the interview, no matter how much work their assistants and researchers have done for them.
Of the better known folks, I’d say maybe Matt Lauer or Anderson Cooper…both of them can, I think, cut through flotsam pretty quickly. On radio, maybe Thom Hartmann. Here in New Mexico I’d probably say PBS (“Report from Santa Fe”) host Lorene Mills. I don’t know many interviewers in the country that puts the research and prep time in that Lorene does and it shows.
You have done more than 350 profiles in your career – has there been a favorite or two?
Another tough question. There are certainly a few interviews that stand out in my memory for lots of reasons because of the individual’s charisma or unique qualities – think folks like Nelson Mandela or Paul Newman – but there are also interviews that stand out for twists and turn in the interview process or because what came out of the interview was totally unexpected. Hugh Hefner’s marketing genius, for example, or (Starbucks CEO) Howard Schultz’ passion on the subject of health care. Billy Bob Thornton, although a complex guy, proved to be a great interview and a total pleasure to spend time with.
