Heather Gold

heather,
i LOVE your post.
very smart and thoughtful.
my goal was to get conversation started and wonder the same things I wonder everyday silently out in the open.
i learned a lot from the experience.

for the record, no one’s ever come at me with a microphone seeking a soundbyte, but I relish the idea. come and get me, media of the world, i’m ready to rant. 🙂

I think you have part of the answer but it is more complex. You also have to factor in what that women is doing at the point you intercepted her for the “man on the street” interview.

Many women are multi-tasking so they literally don’t have time. Another is factor is that for some women you have to fight through a lot of internal gunk to believe what you have to say has a value. If you are not sure and you don’t trust or feel comfortable with the person on the other side of the microphone then that would reduce the amount of participation.

With a professional crew you have a camera person, sound and the interviewer. That is overwhelming.

Now if you set up a safe place and invite women to talk – you will have no problem getting them to yak it up. The street is not necessarily a safe place.

Hey Heather!

Although I agree with some of your valid points about “What helps women talk on camera?” I totally DISAGREE with your traditional approach on how to do that.

I should know from first hand experience what it takes to get a women to open up and talk on camera. Since, I do a weekly show about SEX and Relationships called “The Gerry T Show” where every week I interview random women to talk to me on camera.

I think that Lindsay Campbell of Moblogic who I’ve met and hung out with is VERY GOOD at what she does. The problem lies not in a fuzzy microphone in your face, or being overwhelmed by a camera person, or the interviewer, or even being offered snacks while sitting on a comfortable couch in some studio.

The problem or the challenge lies in getting the RIGHT person in front of the camera. Either the person you’re interviewing has it, or they don’t. Its that simple!

From watching that video “Are women less willing to speak their minds” I could tell right away what was going to happen before it happen.

Don’t worry Lindsay and Moblogic you learn from your mistakes, and failures are the lessons of success.

Just keep making it happen!!

When I’m out on the street interviewing people, I usually ask them if I can interview them first, then I start recording.

I wonder what would happen if I went out into the street and asked each person if I could interview them?

“Can I ask you a question?”

An interesting idea.

Steve,
Asking if you can interview before hand kills the whole spontaneity factor. People are generally passive, and unless they really like your demeanor, they would rather be say no. I have been interviewing people on the streets gorilla-style since 2003, most of the docs can be see on http://www.innomind.org
The key to engage with passer byers on the streets are:
1. Your mood (must be naturally happy, no artificial American smiling)
2. Eye contact before you make a step towards the potential interviewee
3. The walking speed of the person (if they’re walking fast that means that they’re busy with their chores and will not change their priorities for you)