Interviews

Interviews

Interviews are an individual way to get information from knowledgeable and experienced people. You can use their interpretations as data and evidence towards the performing Industry. It is a Qualitive method.

There are many different structures to holding an interview.

1.   Semi-structured interview which includes set questions or themes with the flexibility of following interesting or useful emerging issues is often most appropriate for the work-based researcher because of its inherent flexibility.

2.   non-directive or open interviews that allow the interviewee to talk about anything they like

3.   narrative inquiry (related to open) where the participants use a storytelling format 

4.   informal interviews which have an overall data gathering aim using an extremely non-structured approach

5.   Informal / guided interview which provides topic areas to cover but no set questions.

You do interview, face to face, over the telephone, individually or in a small group. Even though they take up a lot of time, it can be beneficial as you can get important information about motives and expectations. I have found that an interview is more like middle group between a focus group and a questionnaire. It is more personal than a survey but can be expanded like a focus group if the situation allows it.  

Skye is a great way to do interviews as the interviewee can be located anywhere and yet it is still a personal experience. It is great at fitting around busy schedules. It is vital that all ethical issues are thought of and data protection is in place. Variable factors like gender, ethnicity and age can affect the answers and data.

I have conducted a semi-structured interview to allow for expansion and to gain a variety of information. These are the questions I asked.

 Interview

‘With the economic climate in its current state, what will a new production company within the performing arts Industry, need to take into consideration to develop? I am going to ask you some questions about your work within the Industry and how you have developed your skills to keep working.

All the Information given will be confidential under the data protection act 1998. Any recording or quote used within my Inquiry will be with your permission only and you have the right to withdraw anything said. (human rights act).

1.   What field of work are you in? have there been any cuts in your industry? has that affected you?

2.   How did you get to where you are now? Training? Own company? contacts? agent? Do you think it is essential to be multidisciplined?

3.   What brought you to London? Do you think location is important?

4.   In your experience, has sword fighting benefited your career?

5.   Can something so specific to theatre be used in an educational environment? How can you transform stage combat for TIE purposes? can they learn anything from it?

6.   What would you say the pros and cons of teaching stage combat to learners? do you think learning through theatre is an important part of education?

7.   have you faced any ethical issues whilst performing or working in education?

8.   What are your views on social networking within the performing industry?
How do you advertise yourself? In your experience, what can having your own business offer you?

9.   If you had a company what would you see as the most important thing to consider? Can a company be created from just sword fighting alone or should all aspects of performing be considered?

10. What can having stage combat on your cv lead onto? What have you done with the skill?

11. Where can you see the stage combat industry heading in the next few years?

12.   Have you started up your own business to create more work? what is it?

From conducting these interviews I can see how presenting and Public speaking can assist with this type of skill within an interview. if i had not had this training then i would find it difficult to let the conversation expand but still be able to bring it back to topic and also find it difficult to listen whilst concentrating on the next question. I have developed the skill from using an earpiece, so that I can listen to what others are saying whilst concentrating on something else, in the case the next question. 

I feel that this was a great way of sourcing information as it is very individual to the interviewee and gives them a chance to say their opinions. However, it is extremely time consuming and difficult to find a quite mutual place to conduct it. Therefore I feel Skype may be more beneficial next time. Here is some information on Interviews that I found very interesting and helpful towards conducting my own.

 http://www.public.asu.edu/~kroel/www500/Interview%20Fri.pdf