Be prepared: the vox pop checklist (1)

what is your subject matter?

• The subject of your vox pop needs to be something that people will have a definite opinion about - often an item that’s in the news.
• Choose a specific or topical subject ( like nurses’ pay, or a favourite book).
• Avoid vague or woolly subjects (the existence of God, or the state of the English language).
• Remember that you’re asking busy people to stop and talk into a microphone, so you need a juicy question about which they’re likely to have an instant opinion.

what will you ask?

• Ask an open question so that you don’t end up with a series of yes/no responses.
• The question should be simple and quick to understand.
• Keep a couple of supplementary questions in reserve, but no more than two. You’re not recording a documentary