KNOW the Interview

KNOW the Interview

Whether leading or supporting player, or even if you’re a ensemble member, over the years of your career almost surely you will be asked to talk to the press. Like acting, being interviewed is a craft, requiring both guessing and KNOWING how to respond to questions. The key to interviews is to ALWAYS have an answer to the following (insert your own name)…

“So, Burke Moses?”

Yes, I realize that is not a real question, but you’d amazed how often it will be asked in one form or another. Most newspaper, radio and television journalists are incredibly lazy. Local theater-beat journalists are not exactly Jon Stewart when it comes to interview preparation. Often, they have set list of questions, and rarely deviate from it. Most journalists make the performer do the work, and frequently ask what can only be called, “non-questions.”

“So, “Guys and Dolls,” eh?”

“So, MUNY Opera, huh?”

Long before the interview, it is imperative you have a couple of answers to innocuous queries.  All three non-questions above can be answered the same.

YOU: Hi, thank you so much for having me here! I’m thrilled to be working at (name of theater), and ecstatic about playing (name of role) in (name of show)! I think audiences are going to LOVE IT!

Interviewers almost always have a history with the theater, and it is not always a good one. Many out-of-town interviewers will also critique the show come opening night. Yes, this is conflict of interests, and sometimes the interviewer/critic has declared open war on the theater, or have prejudices against the show.

“What’s it like being in the worst best musical of all-time?”

 That was the first question asked by an interviewer when I was playing Trevor Greydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie. After winning the Tony award for “best musical,” the satirical review Forbidden Broadway did a skit calling the production "the worst show ever to be named ‘best musical.’” Obviously, the interviewer was using this quote as his “angle” for the story. This is a hand-grenade question; a negative query mean to “stir up” the interview. It wasn’t hard to guess the upcoming review (“Millie,” the worst musical is not so bad (or good)!”) The easiest way to avoid a negative question is to completely ignore it.

“What’s it like being in the worst best musical of all-time?”

YOU: Hi, thank you so much for having me here! I’m thrilled to be working at (name of theater), and ecstatic about playing (name of role) in (name of show)! I think audiences are going to LOVE IT!

            If the interviewer is belligerent, he or she might repeat that question. Again, just ignore it (“I don’t know about that, but…”), and then launch into an anecdote. The key to interviews is to KEEP CONTROL of the process, particularly when the Q&A goes where you don’t wish it to go. Prior to any interview, it is essential to have several stories in your back pocket. These can be about the role, the audition, the rehearsal process, performance, the theater or any interesting story from your show business past, or up-bringing. If the interviewer hasn’t done any homework (frequently the case), try and guide the questions toward your anecdotes, or ignore the question and just tell the story. If there is no escaping a negative question, say nothing, smile, and just shrug as if you have no clue to the answer. Never answer a question that might get you into trouble with the theater, creative team or cast of the show. 

            Approaches for Different Mediums

1.) The single-camera TV interview is looking for “sound-bites;” short, concise answers.  Often, they won’t use a reverse shot of the interviewer. Often they need the interviewee to repeat the question. and this takes a bit of practice to make it sound organic.

“Are you enjoying your stay in (name of city)?”

YOU: I’m loving my time in (name of city)! On the day off we visited…

2.) In a live (or taped) studio interview, you’ll be on set with two or three cameras standing before you. DON’T fidget! Just find an easy sitting or standing position, fold hands in lap or try to appear relaxed. If possible, ask what questions will be asked (often they will tell you prior.) This gives you extra time to prepare. In live (or taped) television, preparation is key. DEFINITELY have prepared anecdotes and quips. Work hard on your ad-libs, even though you might not get a chance to use them.

3.) In taped radio interviews the journalist holds a recorder. Again, you’ll need to repeat his or her question during the answer. Like the one-camera interview, they don’t want to add the question in editing.

“So, what’s it like playing Maria in “The Sound of Music?”

YOU: Maria in “The Sound of Music” is such a wonderful role, because…

4.) In live radio, you’ll be in the studio wearing headphones, and sitting close to the host. You still must look presentable, because frequently someone will take a photo and use it on the website. Although they seek more than “sound-bites,” don’t expand too much on your answers. Brevity is the key, yet don’t be too short with your answers.  Don’t answer a question with only a “yes” or “no.”

5.) “The Phoner” is an interview where either you call, or the interviewer calls you at home. Here, looks don’t count. You can talk wearing only skivvies. Other than having anecdotes to tell, no other preparation is required. Here, you can expound on answers, yet still try and keep answers brief.

6.) In the “Email Interview” you will be sent questions.  Before sending back responses, definitely use spell and grammar check. If you do not have a flair for writing, ALWAYS have someone check your answers, and even help you with writing.

A few Interview Do’s and DON’TS

-DON’T get into argument with the interviewer.

1   -No matter how true it might be, never, EVER say anything negative about the theater, the town where it’s located, the producing or creative team, the show or fellow cast mates. Those who forget this rule always regret it. Everything about your show and the venue is “WONDERFUL!" 

2   -Although there will be many times you’ll have to answer extempore, NEVER come to the interview empty-handed. Always have prepared stories to tell.

3   - Look presentable. Check the mirror. Make sure no bats are hiding in the cave (things up your nose), and no bra-straps are showing.

4   - Although it’s sometimes difficult, SMILE! Try and have fun, even if the interviewer is attacking you. In performance or when giving an interview, joy radiates! Other than talking seriously about a serious role, take nothing too seriously. It’s theater not world peace.

     - BE CONCISE! Don’t ramble on. Interviews are not opportunities for you to give seminars or lectures. Remember, the more you talk, the greater chance you might accidentally say something idiotic.

-If you have multiple interviews for the same show, DON’T always tell the same anecdote (all your press will be the same).  This is why to have several personal stories rather than just one or two.

-When in doubt, PAUSE before speaking. Some questions are difficult to answer, and knee-jerk responses are not always the best.

-If you flub an answer, garble or slur words, just start over.  It happens, don’t worry about it.

6   - Starting now, make purposeful effort to remove the word “like” from your everyday vernacular. On camera or recording, performers that say “like” five times on every answer come off as inarticulate and sophomoric. We are actors. Language is our medium. Make conscious effort to speak well, and be able to do so on cue, at any moment.

7  - Practice reading aloud ten minutes everyday! Not only will this make you a better actor, but reading aloud will help you speak concisely, as well as use complete sentences during interviews, or when making any public appearance. Again, we’re actors. Talking is our business, so make public speaking excellence a priority.

- When meeting the interviewer, ask THEM questions before starting (Where are you from? How long have you been writing, or doing television/radio work? I like that dress, Etc). People adore being asked questions, and love those curious about their mundane lives. It’s good to start the process off with interviewer that likes you. Otherwise, you’ll be fine if you’re always prepared to answer the question that so frequently stymies performers in interviews.

“So, Burke Moses?”

Have an immediate, interesting, humorous and/or compelling answer to that non-question, and you’ll have no problem during any interview process.

Break a leg!

-Burke