Investigative Interview

Investigative Interview

Investigative interviews are where the interviewer is trying to find out as much as possible on a certain subject, in this example we see Piers Morgan interviewing the real Jordan Belfort. He is trying to find out as much as he can about how Jordan feels about the film ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ which is based on his life, and how much is true that is included in the film.



The introduction of this interview is Piers Morgan talking briefly about the film and briefly what happens, and then about Jordan Belfort and his life. He introduces Jordan Belford by saying “Jordan Belfort joins me now exclusively.” He then talks about how notorious Jordan is and how so many people have been ringing him from all over the world, because he doesn't give interviews. In terms of the style of the interview I think it’s definitely investigative as he is trying to find out what Jordan’s opinion is, and how he feels about the subject.

He then straight away asks Jordan a suggestive, direct and open question “How do you feel about this extraordinary mayhem erupting around you, your story and this movie.” He does this in order to receive Jordan’s opinion on the subject, and how he feels this is quite an easy question and definitely isn’t combative or argumentative. However, he then interrupts Jordan and asks what message Jordan wants to get out. Again this is in order to receive Jordan’s opinion and view of the topic.

Piers definitely uses active listening throughout this interview as we can see at 2:20 Piers is leaning in while asking Jordan a question he then leans back when Jordan is responding. We also see active listening at 5:30, when Jordan says ‘hundreds of hours’ Piers then repeats ‘hundreds of hours’ which shows he is listening to what Jordan is saying.

The interview was structured by using a variety of techniques, for example he uses developmental questions at the beginning of the interview to make the guest feel more comfortable and at ease by asking very easy and simple questions. At the beginning of the interview he asks his opinions; however as the interview goes on he asks more hard hitting questions. For example at 6:23 he asks how he felt about the reality of the film, which delves more deeply into the emotions of Jordan Belfort.

The interview also includes some soundbites, for example at 3:45 they play a number of clips from the movie. They then also include a soundbite at 4:09 of Leonardo DiCaprio talking about Jordan Belfort. This is so the interview then leads to Piers asking Jordan how he feels about having the hottest movie star in the world paying him such a compliment. This is obviously pre-planned in order to lead the interview in the direction Piers wants.

Combative Interview

Combative Interview

This is an aggressive style interview towards the interviewee; the interviewer is determined to find out all the information which they want for the interview. They can sometimes turn into an argument. For example;

Nigel Farage and Jeremy Paxman:

This interview is about Nigel Farage and his policies with UKIP, who appeared on television show, ‘Newsnight’ for a combative interview. The host, Jeremy Paxman is trying to find out as much as possible and challenge Nigel Farage’s views and UKIP. Jeremy Paxman asks a wide variety of questions surrounding UKIP from immigration to homosexuality; mostly all of the questions asked are direct open questions.

Jeremy opens the interview by introducing Nigel Farage and instantly begins asking a direct question at 3 seconds in, this shows from the very beginning of the interview that its going to be aggressive and a combative interview.

“Now, your slogan ‘We want our country back.’ Back from who?” to which Nigel replies with “it’s been given away…” and goes on to talk in depth about what their slogan is about, however doesn’t really answer the question directly or give a direct answer.

Straight after this question at 25 seconds in, Jeremy asks a very suggestive question, already suggesting that Nigel Farage indeed already has a problem with Romanians, “What’s your problem with Romanians?” to which Nigel Farage seems to take some offence and answers “I have no problem with Romanians; I have a big problem with Romania.” Again this is a clear example of a combative interview as he directly corrects Jeremy and goes on to explain himself in detail, basically avoiding the original question and never answers the original question directly.

Jeremy Paxman is very straight forward throughout the interview and includes his own opinion of the subject being talked about. This is another clear indication this interview is combative and aggressive, for example at 7:55 he interrupts Nigel Farage and says: “This is just a lot of airy fairy eye catching nonsense.” This is clearly intended to be offensive to Nigel Farage.

There is active listening throughout the interview, which we can see through Jeremy’s body language, for example at 6:53, he leans forward when Nigel is speaking and also replies to what Nigel Farage says; “Yes, exactly.” Then interrupts Nigel by saying, “how do you propose to pay for all this?” and Nigel tells him to “Hang on” and carries on talking about his original point.

The interview finishes by Jeremy asking “So is your health okay?” to which Nigel replies “Yes, my health is fine” while smiling. Jeremy then says “Nigel Farage, thank you” and that is the interview over. The interview finishes on a much lighter note compared to the rest of the interview, as he asks a very casual, easy question which is completely opposite to the entirety of the interview. This shows the interview ending on a much lighter, happier light. So they end on a much more positive note.

Entertainment Interview

Interview Techniques – Entertainment Interview

Entertainment interviews mainly focus on media; they ask celebrities questions to find out more information about them personally and their career.  For example;

Taylor Swift on Alan Carr: 

This interview is for entertainment and promotional purposes; Taylor Swift gets interviewed on her new upcoming album, 1989. This interview can help promote both the album, and Taylor Swift herself. If she promotes the album well enough, it will increase sales numbers for the album and make more money because people will have seen it being promotes via interviews such as this one. The interview also helps the artist, Taylor Swift as if she does great in the interview, it can increase her popularity and once again increase sales.  

This introduction for this interview is Alan Carr introducing Taylor Swift to the audience, referring to her as the ‘biggest thing in pop right now’ and her coming down the stairs to her new song. From the very start of the interview it is clear this interview is for entertainment purposes, and very laid back and jokey, this atmosphere stays throughout the entire interview. For example, when Taylor has walked down the stairs they dance together and hug, then walk towards the seating. This is also clear through the dialogue, for example at 3:06

“And Gandalf is sitting at the kitchen counter, in his pyjamas…”

“So when you get post do you like redirect it to middle earth?”

“Yes, you know you go like, 1 2 3 The Shire, Middle Earth, Hobbit Land World.”

The interviewer, Alan Carr, uses a range of open, suggestive and closed questions throughout this interview. For example at 5:25 he directs the interview with suggestive questions in order to get the reaction and answers he wants to get from the interview.

“Last time you were on, you just released Red yeah?”

“Yes.”

“Normally when a guest comes on, I get like a DVD, a CD but I haven’t been allowed to have one, you’re keeping it under wraps. Why won’t you let me have one?”

“Because it’s not out yet, it comes out on October 27th”

“But is it true that you’re being really secretive about it, because you’re worried about it getting like, what’s the word? Leaked?”

You can see, that Alan Carr specifically wanted to hear about her keeping the album so privately, and find out why. He then asks an open question to find out more information about a certain subject for example at 11:46:

“Now you know what, the song is a great, EFF YOU, to the haters innit?”

“Well like a joyful one.”

“Yeah...”

Then she gets talking about her new song, and what it means so he has got the answer he was looking for in detail.

The interview was structured by using a variety of techniques, for example he uses developmental questions at the beginning of the interview to make the guest feel more comfortable and at ease by asking very easy and simple questions. For example at 2:07 he asks Taylor Swift about her new flat in New York. Because this is such an easy, laid back question, it will help put her at ease and make her feel more comfortable to answer the future questions and keep the environment very friendly and happy.

While the interview is very laid back and friendly, Alan Carr definitely makes sure he asks the questions that are more serious, and that are more important. For example the question about why she is keeping her new album so secret (5:25) and about what the meaning behind Shake It Off is (11:46)

A form of soundbite is used during the interview, at 13:13 Alan Carr says “Lets have a look at a clip, this is Taylor in the brilliant, Shake It Off.”  When it has been played he said “what a brilliant song, absolutely love it”. Again, this directs the conversation in the direction he wants it to go in, after he says this he goes on to talk about the hand movements used in the video and she then teaches Alan how to do the hand movement. This is obviously pre-planned and he used that soundbite in order to direct the conversation so that she could teach him to do the hand movement as it's definitely comical, however comes across very natural. 

The interviewer, Alan Carr, uses a variety of communication skills throughout the interview, for example active listening and body language is used throughout the entire interview. When the guest, Taylor Swift, is talking he gives her eye contact and reactions to what she says. He also gives very clear body language to show he is listening and interested in Taylor Swift, and what she is saying. For example, at 8:04 there is a clear use of body language showing active listening, he leans forward when asking her a question, then leans back when he reacts and stays leaned back when she is talking and answering his question.