🎄 By now, you’ve scouted the perfect location and found your seat right next to your guest.
The mic is positioned, and you’re ready to roll.
But capturing great sound and proximity is only part of the job.
Now, it’s time to take charge of the interview.

Because here’s the truth: the story doesn’t just happen.

It’s your responsibility to shape it.

Your Role as Director

Many people think of interviews as passive exchanges: you ask the question, your guest answers, and that’s it.
But in reality, interviews are collaborations - and as the storyteller, you’re the one in the driver’s seat.

Think of yourself as the director of a play.
You’re not writing the lines, but you are responsible for ensuring they’re delivered in a way that resonates.

Here’s how you can take charge:

1. Redirect for Better Sound

Imagine this: your guest is giving a brilliant answer, but halfway through, they turn their head or lean back, leaving their voice faint or muffled.
What do you do?

You step in.
Politely ask them to repeat the answer, this time staying close to the microphone.
Here’s how you might phrase it:

• “That was wonderful!
  Can we try that one more time, but stay facing the mic?”

• “Would you mind repeating that last part?
  I want to make sure it’s as clear as possible.”

Don’t be afraid to interrupt.
Your guest will appreciate your attention to detail, especially when they hear how good they sound in the final edit.

2. Reshape for Clarity

Not every answer lands perfectly on the first try.
Sometimes, your guest might stumble over words or give a response that’s too long or vague.
This is where you come in.

Guide them to reframe their answer in a way that’s clearer and more engaging.

For example:

• Original Answer:
  
  “Oh, I don’t know… maybe sometime in the mid-90s? Yeah, probably around then.”

• Reshaped Answer:
  
  “Could you say, ‘It was the mid-90s when this happened’?”

You’re not changing their story.
You’re helping them express it in a way that works for the audience.

3. Embed Questions in Answers

One of the best techniques in audio storytelling is to ask your guest to embed the question in their answer.
This makes editing smoother and allows you to remove your voice entirely, creating a seamless narrative.

For example:

• Your Question:
  
  “When did you celebrate Christmas on a beach for the first time?”

• Their Basic Answer:
  
  “1995.”

• Improved Answer:
  
  “The first time I celebrated Christmas on a beach was in 1995.”

To encourage this, try saying:

• “Can you start your answer by repeating the question?”

• “Imagine the audience doesn’t know what I just asked—can you include it in your response?”

Protect the Essence

It’s important to remember that guiding your guest isn’t about controlling their story.
Your job is to protect the essence of what they want to say, ensuring it’s clear and compelling.

By stepping in to redirect or reshape, you’re not altering their truth.
You’re helping them share it in the best possible way.

🎁 Today’s Challenge: Conduct a mock interview and practice these techniques.
Ask your guest to reframe an unclear answer, repeat an off-mic response, or embed the question in their answer.

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about taking your interview outside and how to embrace soundscapes to make your story even more immersive.

The "behind the scenes" features are the things that make Hindenburg such time-saver!

Field recorder

for iPhone recording

The best audio recorder is the one you have with you at all times, and our field recorder is ready to capture professional-level audio whenever and wherever you are.

Just plug in an iPhone-compatible microphone or use your phone’s built-in options, and you’re set!
We offer simple editing features as well as a one-dial compressor and a clipboard to store your favourite clips.

When you’re ready to export, you can send your session directly to Hindenburg PRO or LITE, or upload it to SoundCloud and a host of other sites. Always be ready.

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