When you’re dealing with the media, it is always important to understand the technology that is used to communicate. While some interviews or engagement take place in front of journalists asking questions, others are carried out via down-the-line systems.

Media Interview Techniques

This is where you are sat in a studio or location away from the questioner and communicate via an earpiece. While it seems okay on the surface, when you watch such an engagement on TV or listen to it on the radio, it can actually be quite unnerving for the person involved.

Many interviewees find it more than a little off-putting talking to a camera rather than an actual human being. There can also be time delays depending on where you are located and where the interviewer is. We’re all familiar with protagonists talking over each other and getting clipped mid-conversation because they’re not quite in tune with the delay.

Media Training London

There are, however, a couple of things you can do if you are about to have a down-the-line interview which should make your appearance on screen less stilted and more fluent.

  1. Stay Still

We advise you try to keep as still as possible and avoid moving from side to side. If you are standing, this means anchoring yourself and making sure you have a good base. Put your feet about shoulder width apart and try not to shift from one foot to another.

If you’re lucky enough to be seated, you should be looking to keep your lower body as still as you can and to keep your hands below your chest and shoulders. Sit up straight and try to remain relaxed at the same time and make sure you keep hand movements down to a minimum, so they are not distracting.

  1. Focus on the Camera Lens

While you’re not talking to a person face to face, it’s important to treat the camera lens as such and remain focused on it. Try not to let your attention be distracted by what is going on behind or to the side. Certain body language can make you look nervous or uncertain, so you should certainly avoid looking up or left or right. Looking down, however, can make you appear as though you are thinking.

  1. Be More Passionate

A lot depends on what you are talking about and how you feel about it but down-the-line interviews can often appear quite static. That might mean you need to strengthen your intonation and be forceful in what you say. Obviously, there is a balance to be had here and you can quite easily go overboard. That’s why it helps to have some media training and get positive feedback on your performance.

There can always be some unforeseen circumstances like time lapses, even the best interviewees will have a problem with this. Another issue can be the dreaded ear piece which suddenly starts to come loose. Try not to spend time fiddling with this as it can distract both your attention and that of the viewer. The best tip is not to panic is if something goes wrong, and calmly indicate that you cannot hear the question.

The Hawkeye team can create a bespoke package of media training to support you entire team.