Because of the technical problems of “feedback”, you have to wear an ear-piece rather like a hearing aid.  Earpieces, alas, are not one-size-fits-all. Unless they’re custom-made for you they’re uncomfortable, and they have a habit of falling out mid-interview.

The down-the-line interview is an awkward and unnatural arrangement. It’s hard to be keen and conversational when you’re talking to something on a tripod.

But there are psychological problems with this sort of interview too. In our experience, the down-the-line interview tends to encourage interviewers to be more abrasive than they would normally be face to face, just like people are often braver on the telephone than they are in person. It’s a lot easier to bawl out a tradesman on the phone than when he’s looming over you in the kitchen.

If there is more than one person involved in a discussion and one them is in the studio with the interviewer, that person is likely to get the lion’s share of air time and attention. Even “listening shots” can make comments.

All in all, we believe that unless there’s absolutely no choice, the down-the-line interview is to be avoided. Our best advice is that if you can get on a plane and be in the same studio as the interviewer, it’s time and money very well spent.    

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