How to Profile Someone for a TV News Story

TV news reporters are often called upon to profile people. A profile is differs from other kinds of TV news stories. The reporter must tell a person's story for them. It can be difficult to decide which details to use and how to frame your interviews. You can make someone look very good or very bad in a profile. Unlike an issue-oriented story, there may not be conflicting sides to play off each other for balance.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Schedule an interview with the profile subject. Try to make this in a setting related to the reason you are profiling them. If it is an artist, interview them in front of their artwork. If it is a neighborhood activist, interview them walking through their community. If it is an entertainer, then interview them backstage at one of their shows. This allows you to use the surroundings to expand on the interview and show the subject in the context of their notoriety. Finish all your background research before actually doing the interview.

2. Find past interviews of the profile subject. This lets you show the profile subject when they were younger and compare what they said then to what they say now. There are also times when the person you are profiling doesn't want to do an interview. When this happens, the only sound you will have with the subject is from file video.

3. Interview other people who have opinions on the profile subject. These can be people who like the profile subject or are critical of him. This is important to both validate and question their importance. Also, try to find close friends and relatives who can let you in on the human qualities of the person you are profiling.

4. Ask the profile subject, her friends and relatives for old pictures and video. These add another dimension to the life of the person you are profiling. If the person has been in the news before, search the station's files for old news reports involving them.

5. Do the interview with the profile subject last. Getting all the other elements first allows you to use them in the interview. Bring up what other people said about the profile subject to get his reaction. Call his attention to what they previously said or how he looked in an old picture. Have him show you around or demonstrate what he does. These experiences provide you with B-roll and sound bites at the same time and are not as stiff as a traditional sit-down interview.

6. Craft your profile into a compelling story. Start with the reason this person is worthy of a profile. Then support that with the impact this person has had on others. Follow with controversy and challenges. Finish with what they are working on and prospects for the future.