A1 Diary

Week 2- Interviews and how to do them- intro to interviews

What are interviews?

• Interviews are made to inform, entertain and speak truth to power, which can mean challenging high-profile figures to access the truth to an important factor

What are the different types?

• There are many different types of interviews, but 6 of the main ones are: vox pops, studio, witness, profile, Q+A and a press conference

How do they differ?

• Vox pops- random public interviews, potentially wider demographic

• Studio- pre-arranged broadcast and mostly pre-written questions

• Witness- first hand experience/account from somebody (e.g. someone at the scene of a crime)

• Profile- gaining information about a person and then interviewing them

• Q+A- simple question/answer format, no follow up questions

• Press conference- many journalists at a time interviewing people, panel system

How to prepare questions

• Use research to aid forming of questions!

How to arrange an interview

• Find an angle

• Set your scope

• Find out more about the story, what you want it to be

• Write questions

• Practice your questions, make sure they make sense and are relevant to the subject

• Find a comfortable, relaxed space to ask questions to get the best results- less stressful!

How to record an interview

• Camera/studio

• Notepad and pen for notes

• Voice recording on a phone/other device

How to transcribe an interview

• Using a transcribing app on phone/writing it down (that method isn't used as often now)

Week 2- Narrative account of vox pops

On Wednesday, we focussed on vox pops. In the morning we went into more depth on what they were, and analysed pros and cons of different examples. For example, a good vox pop includes clear sound quality and video. A bad one could be hard to hear and have a blurry image. Linked to this, we looked at how vox pops can vary, for example the type of questions that can be asked, such as simple questions and adding follow up, unplanned ones to them based on answers.

Vox pops are meant to be open and simple questions that give detailed answers, instead of yes or no ones. There are many other key factors to consider when planning a vox pop, such as:

• Location (fitting to the question)

• Weather (important to consider, if it's bad people will be less likely to stop and talk to you)

• Reluctance of people (people may have somewhere to be, could be abusive too)

• External sounds (background sounds could tamper with audio, if it gets too noisy at one point just stop for a moment and continue after, or repeat the question)

• Clothing (suitable clothing for weather and to not look too intimidating/give off the right impression to people)

• Environment (being aware of surroundings)

• Safety (a large proportion of vox pops nowadays are done solo, you have to be careful that you don't get injured or your equipment potentially getting stolen)

Knowing this information, in groups we then came up with 3 questions to ask the general public when we would be going out later that day. We sent them in afterwards and as one big group looked through them all and worked out which ones would be the best and get us the best results.

Later on, we then prepared everything we needed to ask our question to the public, then went out. As it was also our first time doing vox pops, it felt a bit awkward to approach people at some points, for fear of being ignored or getting abuse. Thankfully everyone we encountered was willing to answer our question and gave us detailed answers, meaning we got to ask a lot of follow up questions and have long audio recordings.

The question that my group asked was:

"Which meal deal do you think is the best for value?"

We had printed out pictures of the Tesco and Greggs meal deals and would ask people which they thought was best for what it cost based on average price per item. With whatever they answered, we would then show them the actual prices and follow up with the question of:

"Knowing the prices of them now, would you still stick with your choice?"

And ask them why they would either stick with the same or choose the other.

We got back in and uploaded all our evidence, which next week we will put together into a small vox pop film, and potentially analyse the positives and negatives of it.

Week 3- Studio

Studio:

Green screen- Can project different backgrounds for people to present. If they want it can make them look like there are at a particular location. Green is the most effective colour to use as a screen as overall on the spectrum it is quite neutral and easier to work with compared to other colours, such as red and blue.

In-ear mic- This can be used to direct the presenters on a variety of things, such as posture to make them look more professional, what question to ask and whether they should ask any more questions. They can be hard to get used to when trying to interview someone as well.

Cameras- These provide the shots and a variety of angles. A TV studio typically operates as a 4-camera studio. The different angles make it engaging for the audience as there isn't just one shot, which can be quite repetitive and boring after a certain period of time. The way that they are broadcast to an audience can be controlled from the gallery.

Jib- It is a crane like camera which can also provide an engaging angle for the main interview, giving another different perspective.

Mic- These are attached to the guest (s) and presenter (s) to make it easier to hear what they are saying. The volume and fade in/fade outs can be controlled from the gallery. It is a form of communication for the audience too, which keeps them interested as they can clearly hear what is being said.

Screen- The screen can project/slide through different images related to the guest. They can correspond with what is being talked about at the time so the audience has a visual representation of the subject, which can give them more of an understanding if they don't know much about it.

Lights- These can control the mood/atmosphere in the studio and give it the right aesthetic. If it is a more serious subject, you would perhaps opt for darker, harsher lighting. If it is a lighter subject, you might opt for brighter colours to make it feel more inviting and welcoming.

On air button- These let people outside of the studio know when something is being broadcast so they don't interrupt the recording. It is normally a big red light above the studio door.

Guest set up- This is the way that the studio is arranged depending on the guest, and the objects in it. Again if it is a more serious subject, you wouldn't be likely to have as many, or any, novelty props in there as they wouldn't fit in with the mood you would be trying to capture. If it was a lighter subject, you might have a few props of sorts in there to make it seem more homely and inviting to an audience.

Role of:

Camera operator- They can move the cameras to the right angle manually, such as adjusting one to be more central to get the presenters/guests directly in the shot, or up and down depending on the height of said presenters/guests. They can also pull in or pull out depending on the width of the shot and how many people may be sitting on one side of the studio (e.g.. pull out for 2 presenters to get them in the shot, pull out for 1 guest as it is just them you need to be focusing on for that particular camera).

Host- The presenter who welcomes the guest and talks to them during the actual interview.

Floor manager- They make sure everything runs smoothly on the studio floor. They are responsible for mics, such as attaching the mics correctly onto guests before the interview, and making sure the whole studio set up is correct for the right atmosphere/interview. They also count in presenters to let them know when to begin the interview.

Gallery:

Vision mix console- The console contains all the different buttons that the vision mixer operates during a broadcast, such as different camera angles

Comms- This is typically a set of microphones behind the vision mix console which people can talk into the studio before a broadcast and tell people what to do, for example when they are ready to start and finish an interview.

Autocue- The autocue is what a presenter may read from, to give background information before a segment or ask questions. Presenters have preferences, and may prefer to read from the camera or from cards in front of them. These both have their pros and cons, such as on cameras it can make it look like it is fully scripted (even if presenters have their own flair for them), and cards can make it seem unprofessional if a presenter has to keep looking down at them instead of having their concentration on the guest when they need it.

Role of:

Director- They are in charge of the gallery and make sure everything runs according to plan. They oversee all of the operators and can advise them if they think something within the studio needs changing.

Vision mixer- The vision mixer has a desk/board in front of them which lets them switch through the cameras for broadcast. It makes it more dynamic and engaging for the audience. They will typically switch between them every 15-30 seconds.

Autocue operator- The autocue operator has a little pad with which they can control the autocue's speed, and make it go up or down at the speed with which the presenter is reading it.

Week 5- Q + A interviews vs. Narrative interviews

Q + A interview- Leanne Moden + Darren Simpson

How is the interview structured?

In a question and answer response

How could you conduct this interview (in person, over phone, email etc?)

Email, as it is easy for them to respond to the questions and type their answers

What are the benefits to this style of interview?

It can be detailed, not take up as much time as they can just send you the answers back- you won't need to rent out a studio of sorts which they may not have time for and it may be stressful. You can gather more answers too, it's easier!

What are the limitations?

They can edit their answers to make it perfect and say exactly what they want, instead of it being more real. You can't follow up with questions too if they say something interesting, it's more flat as there is no use of tone too.

Su Pollard + Olly Alexander

What is happening in these interviews?

These interviews are also question and response, but the questions appear to be a lot more casual and straightforward. The questions aren't tailored to the person and are just about more general life, with some crossover questions between the two interviews. There are no long-winding answers either, just simple and short responses from the people being asked.

Why?

Even though probably also conducted online, it is a lot more relaxed of an interview, where the answers don't have to be thought about too much. With the nature of the questions, they are probably more genuine too. Some interviews can be more serious and focused on a specialized area for particular readers, but these seem to be more miscellaneous and entertaining which will reach a wider audience.

Narrative interview- Katie Hopkins

What makes them different from Q+A interviews? 

Narrative interviews are a lot more in depth and build a bigger profile of a person, telling a story about their interview with a person. There is a lot of contextual information- talking with the subject and around the subject.

What makes them interesting? 

It tells a story: there are no straightforward questions, it's detailing what is said. It lures people in more- Q + As can sometimes just drag on and be uninteresting to read. It also describes the person's actions which can create a tone and atmosphere to the piece. For example with Katie Hopkins, as the interview goes on it shows a different side to her from what has been portrayed online, which could potentially exaggerate details about controversial individuals. She has previously been described as a psychopath, and the interviewer wrote a book on them. These type of interviews, but especially this one, leave many unanswered and complicated questions, such as 'is a psychopath being two faced to someone who knows a lot about psychopaths just to confuse them and add more depth to a story/their profile?'.

How does the interviewer tell a story? 

In this interview, the interviewer has gone through some of Katie's most career-defining and controversial moments to paint an image of her for the reader, and show her progression within British society, such as comments she has made online or in jobs she has had that have made news. He then intertwines it with the various interviews he conducts with her to build her as a person and show a journey, maybe of how she is changed or portrayed by different sources.

How is contextual information woven into the interviews? 

It is spread throughout the interview, and placed where is convenient to the story so people won't have to try and remember details or get confused when reading something in the article.

How could you conduct this interview (in person, over phone, email etc?) 

These interviews are almost always done in person.

Now think about the interview you’ll be conducting next week. How does understanding the conventions of a narrative interview change the way you will ask questions and build a profile of your subject? 

New unit- Opinion editorials

Op eds- media bias

What is bias?

Bias is a prejudice for or against a person, group or concept. Bias affects a range of groups, and these are some particular examples:

• Women (double standards)

• Immigrants (quick to put the blame on them)

• Working class (misrepresented)

• People of colour (generally treated badly)

• Teenagers/younger generations (generalised bad stereotypes)

• Queer people (homophobia, transphobia etc.)

Bias is caused by a journalist's previously held attitudes or beliefs. It can be the result of pressure from media owners, as unfortunately hate sells.

Attitudes found in the media may reflect structural and systemic problems in our society.

The difference between subjectivity and objectivity

The divide between subjectivity and objectivity is based around the concept that comment is free, but facts are sacred.

Subjectivity- Informed by an individual's personal opinions, feelings or taste (comment is free)

Objectivity- Informed by facts and not informed by opinion, taste or feelings (facts are sacred)

Subjectively looking at events is classed as bias news.

The political spectrum

The political spectrum is typically split by left/right wing, and far left/right.

The left wing is based around equality, welfare social justice and progress. The right wing is based on freedom, tradition, order and property.

The far left is based around oppression, economic equality, revolution and secularism. The far right is based on nationalism, racial prejudice, class privilege and anti-LGBT.

How does the political spectrum affect news?

The political spectrum affects news by what the owners believe in. It leads into the different types of bias (ownership, editorial, framing and confirmation). It is mainly the ownership and editors who affect the news down to their views, whether they are fair (left) or sensationalists/right (emphasising, inaccurate, prejudiced).

Ownership of the news media

The news media appears to be very bias in terms of its ownerships, majorly owned by rich, white men, who are more typically right wing. There are 5 main owners:

4th Viscount Rothermere

• Owns the Daily Mail and General Trust

• Chairman of DMGT

• Inherited media empire from father (constantly inherited through generations)

• Worth £1 billion in April 2025

• Family had early support from Hitler and other far right individuals but soon drifted away at the realization of their actions

• Rothermere still has what would be considered 'far right' views and a hands off approach over his companies, as the editors of the Daily Mail are allowed to have their personal views leak through (editorial bias)

• He is also considered as a nepo baby

Elon Musk

• Owns major companies such as Tesla, Space X and Twitter (now X)

• He has a net worth of at least $500 billion but could soon become a trillionaire

• He bought Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion

• He has been heavily involved in AI investments (co-founded OpenAI), and it commonly seen in his apps and companies

• He considers his political views to be moderate but demonstrates right wing and authoritarian actions

• He has shown support for right-wing individuals such as Hitler, Donald Trump (even though they have since fallen out) and UK far right activist Tommy Robinson, even showing encouragement to endorse him as Prime Minister

Investigative Journalism practice

News Package- done W/C 01.12.25 Last Wednesday we got a head start on our investigative journalism unit by exploring how to film a news package. In the morning we explored the different elements included in a news package to help us with what we needed to including in ours, and we also watched an example to pinpoint the different parts.

In groups, we were then given 4 fictional news segments to choose from to make our package. To plan out what we were going to do regarding filming and the order, we created a storyboard. The fictional news that my group chose was about the crashing of a doughnut van, and all the events that happened alongside it.

Before we went out to film, we all allocated ourselves different roles for during the process. I volunteered myself to film all the footage and also as a co-director to help organise where I thought the shots would work best alongside the ideas we had on our storyboard. I also based the filming and when we filmed certain shots on the lighting and traffic. The beginning of the script began near the tram stop outside the college, so I tried to get those opening shots for when a tram went by, and footage of the trams in general.

In the afternoon, we then went out around the college to film our pieces for the story in different locations, for approximately an hour. We collected all of our required shots, and then I uploaded them and downloaded them to start the editing process on Adobe Premiere Pro.

To get the best audio quality, we recorded it separately by having our presenter put his phone in his jacket pocket so his voice was closer to the microphone. It was a little tricky at times to align the audio with the video correctly at times, but one of my teammates did a clap at the beginning of each audio so it was easier to put the video and audio in sync with each other. I edited the videos accordingly so it flowed exactly like a professional news report, including interviews and vox pops about the 'news'.