Key points of interviewing celebrities

It is very difficult to interview celebrities. They have rich political, artistic or literary experience, profound knowledge and profound insights. As a representative of China media, a little carelessness will leave a bad impression on international friends. In addition, high-end experts have been interviewed countless times, and if there are no new questions, it will only become meaningless repetition. However, Shui Junyi's questioning art is brilliant and can reflect the following characteristics:

First, ask some sharp and sensitive questions in a roundabout way.

In the process of talking with interviewees, especially celebrities, many problems will inevitably involve aspects that they are unwilling to mention, unwilling to mention and afraid to mention. But this is often the highlight of the interview, especially the news eye. But for this kind of problem, we can only raise it in a euphemistic tone and in a peaceful way, but we must show our edge in silence. The circuitous questioning is a good way to deal with sensitive and delicate issues skillfully, which can effectively avoid the unhappiness caused by journalists directly touching sensitive issues, which needs special attention when interviewing celebrities. Circuitous questioning is an important skill in the interview, and its core is to bypass sensitive questions and directly touch on subtle points, regardless of him. In an exclusive interview with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Shui Junyi can clearly feel this.

Shui Junyi: Mr. Secretary-General, I know that you have been very busy recently, not only to visit China, but also to face a series of problems arising from an interview with BBC a month ago. Personally, I have always had a question when I watched that interview. Have you prepared for such problems in advance and the reactions of all parties afterwards?

Anna: ...

Shui Junyi: So you mean that your positions on this matter have always been the same.

Anna: ...

Shui Junyi: Right after this interview was broadcast, you were under pressure from many sources, including Mr. Powell's phone call. Do you feel stressed?

Anna: ...

Shui Junyi: Mr. Secretary-General, the main reason why your words often make headlines in newspapers is that you are the Secretary-General of the United Nations, so some people assume that if you make such a statement before the war, the situation may be completely different. what do you think?

Anna: ...

The Iraq war was launched by the United States without the authorization of the United Nations. This issue can be said to be a sensitive topic of Secretary-General Annan. If the question is not properly asked, it will lead to embarrassment. However, Shui Junyi used peaceful language and tried to avoid contradictory questions, which not only achieved his goal, but also was not rude.

Second, lead the question to the depths by asking questions.

In many talk shows, asking questions is a common way of asking questions. Shui Junyi is no exception. Although he is not as sharp-edged as Wang Zhi's question, he can lead the question in a convincing way. Questioning focuses on the impromptu questions made according to the interviewee's answers during the interview. Shui Junyi's questioning style is relatively peaceful, and he pays great attention to tone and attitude. Dan Lasser, a famous American TV host, said: I am famous for asking strict questions, which is what I pursue; I should avoid asking some tricky questions. I don't want to bear such a stigma. [1] Therefore, we should also pay attention to the way of asking questions. In the interview with Venezuelan President Chavez in "High-end Visit", it was very obvious.

Shui Junyi: We have noticed that you have a very good relationship with Cuban leader Castro. Just this month, February 2004, 65438+, you went to see him again. He was in a wheelchair and stood up to say hello to you.

Chá vez: …

Shui Junyi: Can you briefly introduce your relationship with Mr. Castro?

Chá vez: …

Shui Junyi: What do you think of him? How does he feel about you? Brother or father? Or colleagues? Still a good comrade?

Chá vez: …

Shui Junyi: Mr. President, let me ask one last question. I know your time is tight. Is this your visit to China? Do you have any surprising or attractive news for our media? Here it is.

Chá vez: …

For celebrities, a little information they reveal may become important news, so the way of asking questions can often get unexpected gains. By questioning the relationship between Chavez and Castro, Shui Junyi asked many questions about the relationship between Venezuela, Cuba and the United States.

Third, mention the childhood life of celebrities and enliven the conversation atmosphere.

Hunter Duff, a British media person, believes that "an unrecognized fact is that all celebrities like to mention childhood." [2] Therefore, she likes to ask celebrities about their childhood in interviews. Asking questions about celebrities' childhood life can not only enliven the conversation atmosphere and deepen the interview, but also give the audience a new perspective and attract their attention. In the interview, High-end Interview asked about the childhood of dancer Mike Frye.

Interview with dancer Mike Frauli

Shui Junyi: What was your childhood like? In your home, your father and mother, do they tap dance?

Mike: ...

Shui Junyi: This is really a precious tradition!

Mike: ...

Shui Junyi: Life was hard, and then they decided to send you to dance school. How did you feel then?

Mike: ...

Water: That's news. Mike said he used to hate dancing.

Mike: ...

Water: This process is the same for most children.

Mike: ...

Water: Looking at your experience, I find that you have a wide range of interests and are good at it. For example, you just mentioned boxing. 1975 You won two awards at the same time: one was the Golden Glove Award, which was a boxing competition, and you also won the national flute competition in Ireland.

Mike: ...

Water: I know that after you graduate from high school, you need to work on the construction site to make a living.

Mike: ...

Childhood life is a topic that all celebrities talk about, which can not only enliven the interview atmosphere, but also inspire the audience. Mike Frye's experience can give inspiration and reference to those who are interested in this industry.

Fourth, ask questions with background and make full use of materials during the interview.

This kind of questioning is based on a full understanding of celebrities and can deepen the dialogue. Through the interviewer's initiative to bring out some known backgrounds in the interview, the conversation can be deepened and it is also an important basis for developing conversation clues. This can be seen many times in Shui Junyi's interview and even become one of his interview styles. British media person Lynn Barber's advice to interview celebrities is: "Do your homework and interview with full preparation and curiosity. Ask detailed questions at the beginning to prove that you know him well and remind him that you expect him to try his best to answer your questions. " [3]

This can be reflected in Shui Junyi's interview with Shirley Tillman, President of Princeton University.

Water: As the first female president of Princeton University, you also know that a few decades ago, that is, before 1969, Princeton University didn't even have female students. It was an all-boys school. Decades later, the school has its first female principal. I know that you have promoted many female middle-level supervisors since you took office. Why are you doing this? What do you want to promote by this?

Shirley Tillman: ...

…………

Water: I noticed that you just used a word called enthusiasm. This may be something from your heart, and I think it may also be related to your experience after graduation. At that time, you volunteered to go to Sierra Leone, Africa and taught in a high school there for two years. Why?

Shirley Tillman: ...

Asking such questions will make the interviewed celebrities feel that you have spent a lot of time in the preparation before the interview, and you will have a sense of identity psychologically, and you can also have more * * * language with celebrities in the interview.

[Edit this paragraph] 5. Professional concept questions are closer to the needs of readers.

For some professional concepts, the general reader will find it difficult to understand. At this time, visitors can ask questions about these professional concepts from the perspective of the general audience, which can effectively link up the interview process. Shirley Tillman, president of Princeton University, is an expert in stem cell research. In the interview, most ordinary viewers don't understand what "stem cells" are. Here, Shui Junyi asks questions in time.

Water: What exactly are stem cells?

Shirley Tillman: ...

Water: As far as I know, they are equivalent to the most basic components in human body or other animals. Can you say that?

Shirley Tillman: ...

Walter: So where is the medical use of these stem cells, or where is the medical use of studying these stem cells?

Shirley Tillman: ...

……

Water: If I use this word again, if our research on stem cells is successful, what changes will it bring to human life in the future?

Shirley Tillman: ...

Celebrities are often people who have made outstanding achievements in a certain field, and ordinary audiences often don't know much about their research expertise. The reporter's purpose is to "translate" these profound knowledge into easy-to-understand language. Here, it is quite necessary to ask the question of professional concepts.

The above are the characteristics of Shui Junyi in the process of interviewing celebrities, which is worth learning. Another thing to note is: first of all, put yourself in the position of a celebrity. This way of empathy can help reporters ask more rational and appropriate questions. It can help to understand the way of thinking of politicians, rather than using the way of thinking of journalists in interviews. Secondly, make the best preparation before the interview, adopt meticulous methods and make full use of this knowledge in the interview as much as possible.