NPR Radio Interview Analysis

bFresh Air interview of James Franco, by Terry Gross

For an entertainment interview, the interviewer, Gross, has quite a lot of subject material with which she needed to familiarize herself with prior to the interview. Franco is on the show to discuss two movies along with a collection of short stories. On all three topics, however, Gross demonstrates that she has done plenty of research.

Gross starts off the interview with some general questions about the subject of the first movie, Allen Ginsberg. This enables Franco to settle into the interview. From the inception of the interview Gross is successful in maintaining a cheery, conversational manner that also clearly helps to put Franco at ease. This results in him going into in-depth answers that reveal both interesting details and entertaining anecdotes. One example of this occurs when Gross asks Franco a question about a specific scene in the movie--again showing the benefits of research--which leads to an enjoyable story about how Franco "amputated" his arm for the second movie under discussion.

When the conversation moves to the subject of Franco's book of short stories, Gross picks out a specific passage that she utilizes to get an insight into his life. Juxtaposing the subject in the story with Franco's own life proves an adept strategy in getting him to reveal aspects of his own approach to his art.

By this stage of the interview, Gross has built-up a good rapport with Franco and the interview develops an almost conversational tone, which enables a free flowing of thoughts from both sides. Gross is not afraid to interrupt Franco's responses when an interesting topic arises. Such is the case when Franco casually states that he has an addictive personality. This is clearly something listeners will be interested in hearing more detail about and, without awkwardness, Gross duly and immediately intercedes to inquire further into this comment.

The hospitable tone that has been established throughout the interview helps to prevent any uneasiness when Franco fails to comprehend one of Gross' questions. The interviewer simply brushes this off and calmly restates her question in a more easily-understood way.

This is very close to being a textbook interview. Although she is helped by Franco's welcoming manner and well-thought-out responses, Gross did extensive research into her subject and also demonstrates excellent interview skills. What I take out of this that can aid my own interview skills is the benefits of being completely at ease with your interviewee to establish a good rapport. This then helps enable you to have the confidence to ask the subject potentially challenging questions, even interrupting them, all the while in a conversational, but still professional, way.