CHIRP Radio Lab Teaches the Art of Interviewing
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| CHIRP Radio’s Dan Epstein gives CIW attendees the scoop on the art of interviewing. |
About 14 people spent their Monday evening learning the ins and outs of production with Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP) studio at 4045 N. Rockwell St.
CHIRP Radio is an online community radio station comprised entirely of volunteers. Dan Epstein, the night’s host and CHIRP features producer, said the station’s bread and butter is the non-mainstream music it plays. But CHIRP does far more than just play music – interviewing artists and community members is part of its DNA.
“Aside from the music, going out and talking to people is literally how we are engaging with the people who are listening,” said Epstein, a native of Cleveland, Ohio who now lives in Lincoln Square.
That includes CHIRP’s segment called “A Person of Interest” that showcases an individual from the community. Epstein shared two such clips – the first featured a Rogers Park resident who lives on a micro-farm and cares for numerous animals. The second offered a glimpse into the life of a twenty-something female cab driver who has been offered sex instead of money multiple times to cover fares. The individuals featured might not be newsmakers, Epstein said, but they deserve the spotlight because they are members of the community.
Editing 30-minute tapes down to 3-minute segments can take hours to do, he said. But rather than delve into gritty specifics about editing software, Epstein discussed the work a reporter or producer does before even thinking about editing: the interview.
The audience broke off into small groups armed with recorders. Aided by cheat sheets listed with ice-breaking questions, everyone took turns interviewing their group members.
Colleen Pellissier, who has previous experience in public radio and is looking to get back into the field, said it was refreshing to again be talking about something she loves.
“It’s fun talking about radio again,” Pellissier said. “I haven’t done it in so long, so it was really nice to hear people talking about tape, what makes good tape and editing. It just makes me excited to get back into it.”
Pellissier, who lives in Wicker Park, said she learned of CHIRP through a friend and that she enjoyed the small crowd because it allowed for a democratic discussion of ideas and opinions.
Paula Wills, a South Shore resident who works for the Family Resource Center on Disabilities, said she attended the lab to learn how CHIRP operates and to inquire about outreach for her nonprofit. Wills said she would like to use CHIRP as a platform to discuss education and support for families with disabled children. Though this was Wills’ main reason for attending the lab, she admitted that pure curiosity inspired her to sign up, too.
“[My work] is kind of like my main interest [in attending], and just to see what else is happening as well,” Wills said. “I plan to be social.”
As the evening came to a close, many people exchanged business cards with people they never knew just a few short hours before – Epstein said that was a great sign, because it meant they were willing to learn more about each other.
“Curiosity is key,” he said. “If you’re not curious, this is not the business for you.”
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Written by: Doug Pitorak
Photography by: Doug Pitorak
