Radio
Radio interviews can be live or recorded. They can be conducted in a studio, in a radio car, or down a telephone line. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
Live interviews leave you in control of what is broadcast. Your words will not be edited later. But it means that any slips or stumbles cannot be corrected. Recorded interviews allow your interview to be polished and edited free of all the ‘ums’ and ‘ahs’, but it means that you are no longer fully in control.
In the studio, you wear a head set and speak through a microphone to a presenter who may be obscured from your view by wiring. It is not always the same as having a chat over a cup of coffee and can be a bit unnerving the first time around.
A radio car is a mini studio. The driver acts as technician. You wear a headset and speak into a microphone to a presenter in the studio who you cannot see.
An interview ‘down the line’ involves linking your phone to the studio. The radio station will ring you to check for sound quality and to tell you how long you are on for.
Janey Antoniou says:
"Sometimes the pre-recorded radio programmes are taped as if live (and you can be giving them in an awkward place like on the pavement, or in the corner of a room).
If you are asked to do homework – like read a book or watch a film – do it to the best of your ability. If asked to do an interview, always ask the reporter what they are after before the microphone goes on.
If they say they want spontaneous answers, tell them what you are willing to say anyway and don’t get persuaded to go into areas where you are not comfortable.”
