SOCIAL ACTION AND COMMUNITY MEDIA - ANALYSING INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES

NAME OF INTERVIEWER:  BARBRA WALTERS

NAME OF INTERVIEWEE:  OPRAH WINFREY

ANALYSIS:

•  Context  (role and importance of interview to documentary)

The interview was a segment Americas' ABC News presented on Oprah Winfreys decision quit her show, The Oprah Winfrey Show after 25 years of hosting. It questioned her decision in depth and was presented as an entire segment due to the shows impact and global popularity. It surprised millions worldwide and was one was questioned by the public. The interview was conducted by Barbara Walters. 

• Purpose of interview (e.g. research, enhancement of audience understanding, informative, expressing opinion, holding to account, justification, emotional appeal to audience)

Barbara Walters interviewed Oprah on her decision to leave the show after 25 seasons and 4561 episodes after 25 years of hosting and producing. The interviewed explored Oprah's decision which was a personal choice of which Barbara questioned empathetically and supportingly. The interview aimed to understand Oprahs reasons for quitting her show. The Oprah Winfrey show had accumulated a global audience and a large fan base. It is still the highest rated talk show, with Oprah being the most influential talk show host. The interview was watched by billions as it was announced to be ''breaking news'' to American Television . Due to Oprahs reasons being personal, Barbara reflected this through an intimate, supportive and empathetic approach making references to their friendship and reminding Oprah on their past discussions. Interestingly , the interview was not introduced as a ''interview'' but instead as a ''conversation'' between Barbara and Oprah which further reflects the level of intimacy and emotional appeal the interview possessed. 

• Question types (open, closed, single, multiple, direct, suggestive)

The questions used were open and suggestive. Barbara made constant references to Oprah past. Bringing up her childhood and their past conversations and discussions while also asking Oprah of her personal life goals and what she think of her accomplishments and her life. The Barbara also asks rhetorical questions to her viewers rather than Oprah and answers them herself, encouraging her audience to think of Oprah on a admiring level. Barbara also questions Oprahs love life, struggles and personal flaws and insecurities. 

• Structure (introduction, developmental questions, confidence-building, sound bites, summary, wind-up)

The interview is introduced by a news anchor from ABC News America as a ''conversation between Barbara Walters and Oprah Winfrey '' the topic of the interview was introduced as an ''occasion on Oprahs decision to leave her show'' .  The interview incorporated numerous archive footages of Oprahs show,audiences reactions, interviews and personal life. Throughout the entire interview Barbara Walters was reminding Oprah of their past discussions and exploring in depth as to why Oprah wants to leave her show as well as understanding her reasons behind the decision by reminding her of her childhood and dreams before the show.

• Communication skills (e.g. building rapport, active listening, body language, telephone techniques to obtain comments or gather information)

The entire interview was built on a familiar connection both Oprah and Barbara showed from their friendship and conversations in the past. In terms of Building rapport, a technique conventional to interviewers, this skill was unnecessary for Barbara as she already had established a solid foundation of friendship and trust with Oprah being friends with her and having had interviewed her before her show was a success.  Despite having already succeeded in building rapport with Oprah, Barbara had to keep reminding Oprah of their past together while also  showing empathy through her facial expressions and tone of voice. When she reminds Oprah of her childhood, saying she has ''come a long way'' her sentences are incomplete and informal, ending her sentence with a sympathetic '' Ohh Oprah''. The informality appeals to the audience as being emotional,personal and touching while also highlighting Oprahs highs and lows on The Oprah Show through archive footages. Barbara establishes her interview through this friendly connection she already has with Oprah, using it to her advantage. Her patience is obtained through her body language such as her facial expressions while she gathers more information on Oprah.