November 13, 2007
Sex & The Single Broadcaster: The High School Adventures of Luke Ford & Shannon Anderson
Anderson was a starting forward for the school’s basketball team.
I was the editor of my school’s newspaper, the Hillmen Messenger.
We made a movie in April-May of 1984. We had to edit the footage in the video camera (and then added music from the radio).
Part One is my story (there’s a good moment five minutes). Part Two is about Shannon (gets good eight minutes in). Part Three
Meandering whiffleball introduction. Part Two
I last talked to Shannon in 1992.
We read the news together for our school’s (Placer High and then Sierra Community College) cable access chanel 8. Video from circa 1983.
Part one of my March 1984 interview with Sacramento Bee sports editor Joe Hamelin about the just-finished Sarajevo winter Olympics. Part Two Part Three
Covering Placer High basketball with Joe Hamelin. More More
I interview my high school’s vice-president Tom Spencer (1983-84).
I wasn’t such a great interviewer. I intruded too much with my own opinions. A good interviewer uses non-judgmental questions so the subject feels comfortable being honest. Once you start to pronounce judgments, your subject easily becomes defensive.
- Always use a tape recorder. Explain to the subject, if need be, that no one will hear it but you.
- Take notes, too. Tape recorders sometimes malfunction.
- Do your homework. A subject will warm to you when realizing you’ve taken the trouble to be informed.
- If you can, find someplace quiet where you won’t be interrupted and steer the subject there.
- Save the tough questions for the latter part of the interview.
- Try not to ask questions that can be answered with a "yes" or "no."
- Don’t be nervous. The athlete can’t hurt you. But you can hurt the athlete. He or she is the one who should be nervous, and probably is.
- If you are totally out of your element, ask for help. Admit that you normally cover softball and have never written a piece on rowing. Almost always, the subject will be only too happy to help.
- Try to have a "conversation" when possible, instead of just asking questions.
- Unless you have an agenda, have three to four questions prepared to get things rolling. Then follow where the subject wants to take you.
- If you are covering something unfamiliar with many possible interview subjects, pick the smartest, most experienced reporter in the room and follow him or her like a puppy dog. You’ll be led straight to the best interviews.
- Dress appropriately.
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Comments on Sex & The Single Broadcaster: The High School Adventures of Luke Ford & Shannon Anderson »
LUKE FORD » I Am Placer High School @ 4:19 pm
[...] So I hit next (the first result was my lukeisback@gmail.com email at the top of my browser, before the search results) and the seventh result, the first individual result, is for me. [...]
LUKE FORD » Camera Of Death @ 5:20 pm
[...] November 20, 2007 – WGA Protest Rally On Hollywood Bl November 20, 2007 – Surviving Munchkins of Wizard of Oz Honored With Star On Walk of Fame November 18, 2007 – American Music Awards After-Party November 14, 2007 – Mamie Van Doren November 14, 2007 – WGA Picket Line Outside Fox November 13, 2007 – Jesse Unruh Book Party November 13, 2007 – WGA Protest At Universal The Adventures of Luke and Shannon November 11, 2007 – Women’s Image Network Awards November 7, 2007 – Hollywood Cure For Pain November 3, 2007 – 6356 Hollywood Blvd Party October 31, 2007 – Neil Strauss and various Halloween parties October 29, 2007 – Fuego Premiere – David Carradine, Damian Chapa October 25, 2007 – Michael Grecco’s New Book "Naked Ambition" Oct. 24, 2007 – Ann Coulter Oct. 23, 2007 – Tony Rafael’s book "The Mexican Mafia" Oct. 21, 2007 – Screening of Uwe Boll’s Postal Oct. 18, 2007 – Dennis Prager Hosts Liberty Film Fest Screenings Oct. 11, 2007 – Author Gustavo Arellano at LA Press Club [...]
LUKE FORD » Camera Of Death @ 12:32 am
[...] December 9, 2007 – Hollywood Life Magazine’s 7th Annual Breakthrough Awards December 9, 2007 – Blade Runner Screening December 6, 2007 – Flaunt Magazine Christmas Party December 6, 2007 – Jules Verne Film Festival December 5, 2007 – FULCAGE Fashion/Charity ‘Christmas With a Conscience’ Event December 4, 2007 – Paris Hilton, Kitson Men Fashion December 1, 2007 – Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Ribbon of Hope 2007 November 30, 2007 – "Still Thankful, Still Giving" Orphanage Fundraiser November 20, 2007 – WGA Protest Rally On Hollywood Bl November 20, 2007 – Surviving Munchkins of Wizard of Oz Honored With Star On Walk of Fame November 18, 2007 – American Music Awards After-Party November 14, 2007 – Mamie Van Doren November 14, 2007 – WGA Picket Line Outside Fox November 13, 2007 – Jesse Unruh Book Party November 13, 2007 – WGA Protest At Universal The High School Adventures of Luke and Shannon November 11, 2007 – Women’s Image Network Awards November 7, 2007 – Hollywood Cure For Pain November 3, 2007 – 6356 Hollywood Blvd Party October 31, 2007 – Neil Strauss and various Halloween parties October 29, 2007 – Fuego Premiere – David Carradine, Damian Chapa October 25, 2007 – Michael Grecco’s New Book "Naked Ambition" Oct. 24, 2007 – Ann Coulter Oct. 23, 2007 – Tony Rafael’s book "The Mexican Mafia" Oct. 21, 2007 – Screening of Uwe Boll’s Postal Oct. 18, 2007 – Dennis Prager Hosts Liberty Film Fest Screenings Oct. 11, 2007 – Author Gustavo Arellano at LA Press Club [...]