How to Do "Man on the Street" Interviews

The "man-on-the-street" interview is an interview in which a reporter hits the streets with a cameraman to interview people impromptu. For new reporters, this can seem like a daunting task--maybe even intimidating. But with these tips, your first man-on-the-street interview experience can be easy. Check it out!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. When your boss or professor sends you out to do man-on-the-street interviews for a story, think about the topic and develop a list of about 10 general questions relating to it. For example, if your assignment is obesity in America, you might ask, "Why do you think obesity is such a big problem in America?" Try to ask questions to which you will get more than a "Yes" or "No" response.

2. Hit the streets with confidence. As you approach people, be polite. Say, "Excuse me, I work for XYZ News, and I was wondering if you could share your opinion about this topic." Since you will more than likely be under deadline, this is a quick way to get people to warm up to you.

3. Move on to the next person if someone tells you she is not interested in talking on camera. Don't get discouraged.

4. Limit your time. Each interview that you get on the street shouldn't be longer than about 10 minutes. Even 10 minutes is a stretch. As soon as you get the sound bite you need, move on to the next person. Make sure that as you go from interview to interview, you are getting a variety of sound bites. If everyone is giving you the same answer in the same way, you won't be able to use it. A safe number of interviews to conduct is about 6 to 10. That number of interviews should give you all the sound bites you need.

5. If your news station, company or school requires interviewees to sign release forms to appear on the air, don't leave work without them.

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