Interview Questions

Interview Preparation

In order to construct an interview that flows with a good structure and storyline, it is important to enter the interview having fully prepared the questions that are going to be asked. However, these questions can allow for diversion of conversation which is necessary for a strong interview as it feels more natural and the interviewee can explore topics and stories that he would not have otherwise thought of if only a rigid set of questions were to be stuck to. 

Our documentary is written in participatory style, which allows for the interviewee to disseminate their stories once a broad question has been asked. Therefore the following questions are possible questions that we may ask our participant, ex-police officer-Philip Armstrong. They are not in a particular order as when we come to edit the footage, we can move around the responses seeing as the interviewer asking the question is not included.

Possible Questions:

•  Can you tell us a bit about yourself, so introduce to us who you are and your role here at the Old Police Cell Museum.
• When did you join the police force?
• How long have you worked at the Old Police Cells?
• How did it feel to return to the police cells after its closure?
• Do you now work with anyone that you used to when you were serving in the Brighton and Hove police force?
• Do you have any particular stories that stand out to you whilst working here at the Old Police Cells?
• Would you like to give us some history about the Cells?
• What exactly was your role whilst working here?
• Can you give us an idea about what a day in the life of working here was like?
• We read up on the story of the constables death here at the Cells, would you be able to tell us you're second-hand account of this?
• Has there been any moments where you have been scared of a prisoner or situation that you'd feel comfortable sharing?
• We researched that once a week you have a group of ghost hunters come in to measure waves of movement, do you believe that the cells are haunted? Have you had any experiences of ghosts?