The Art of the Vox Pop
My predictable routine has gone to pot this week after an outbreak of sickness amongst my colleagues. As a result I switched jobs, becoming a reporter for the "Politics Show" for a couple of days this week. The ensuing domino effect led to Jim Fitzpatrick taking over the helm at "Inside Politics". His guest is the SDLP leader Mark Durkan. You can catch the programme on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Ulster tomorrow at 12.45.
By contrast I found myself on the streets of Ballymena, trying to glean what local people made of Ian Paisley Jr. This is what is known in the trade as the "vox pop" - accosting members of the public going about their lawful business and trying to cajole them into talking about politics.
Sometimes people think broadcasting is a glamorous job, but there is nothing like doing a "vox pop" to disabuse you of this notion. Want an empty street to walk along? Whip out a camera and a microphone. You will see people crossing the street, disappearing into shops and otherwise making themselves scarce as you approach. You will be lower down the street pecking order than the traffic warden or the chugger (aka charity mugger).
Normally I look on collecting vox pops with dread, but once you get going the experience is somehow strangely liberating. You have encounters you didn't expect (I had a lengthy discussion about Rafa Benitez with one young man in a hoodie after soliciting his views on his MLA, and an elderly woman stopped her car to compliment me on my coverage, which makes a change from what people usually shout when they wind their windows down!). It's not exactly scientific, but it's a good counter to living your life in the Stormont bubble.
On which note I think that all senior ´óÏó´«Ã½ executives should be required to carry out a vox pop at least once every couple of months. It would get them out of their board rooms, provide some much needed material for our hard pressed programmes, and constitute a reality check on what broadcasting is all about.
Oh, and what did the good people of Ballymena think of their MLA? To find out tune in to the "Politics Show" on ´óÏó´«Ã½1 on Sunday at noon.
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Having been known to occasionally wander around Donegal Square and Donegal Place with a DV camera, furry mic and someone who knows who to aprehend the public and ask questions, Ihave sympathy with your feeling of being able to clear the street and eliminate eye contact in seconds.
The line "it's not for TV" usually helps us ... as does bumping into people who you vox popped the year before and fancy another go at it. Suckers for punishment.
No need to cross the road or dive into a shop. Just swear a lot into the microphone and they won't stick you on the telly.
Mark this is another excellent blog. It is always interesting when the locals dig the dirt on their MLA. Next time you fancy a bit of "Vox Pop" try Sir Reg Empey's homeland. I always wondered what he was doing to get his votes. It couldn’t be his personality!! Another place would be Catriona Rune’s homeland. Nobody sees her in County Down whenever she gets the A1/M1 to Stormont. It is interesting to note that Catriona doesn't have a Constituency office in County Down. It is very strange. How does she get elected?
See link above for the other side of the coin ....