Adrian Mainella, the host of CBC's Fashion File has been working on the internationally renowned television show ever since winning the Fashion File host hunt last spring. Since then, he has re-mastered the show to cater to a new and younger audience. He studied at York University studying theater, drama and literature. After graduation, he went on to pursue fashion marketing at Ryerson University, and lastly business.
After pursuing a great deal of schooling, Mainella went on to work at RBC as a banker, and met a client at the Toronto Fashion Group. He was brought on the team which led to other fashion related jobs such as host of Diva on a Dime. He only recently escalated into fashion super stardom from winning the Fashion File Host Hunt, which has given him the opportunity to travel the world, report on fashion events and also write a monthly interview in FASHION Magazine.
Mainella said that the best way to prepare for an interview is to "do as mush research as possible, I like to know as much as i possibly can about the subject that I'm interviewing only because I think that as often very simple open ended questions, if there is a kind of tangent that the subject takes in the interview, i will be prepared to know what they are talking about and go with the story that they are talking about."
He warns that if journalists over research their subject, "you sometimes start creating your own story in your head. 9 times out of 10 the story that you go in with isn't always the story that you leave with." Letting the subject take control of an interview is important, because it leads the story to place that you wouldn't normally imagine. "You have to be very cool and comfortable with letting go of what your original ideas were of the story because if you start directing ht interview you'll lose a really good story"
Mainella suggests a simple and effective technique of warming up an interviewee with off topic pleasant conversation. Its important to make the person feel comfortable, while making small talk. "You can kid of judge the person's mindset at that point". The person that you are interviewing can be as nervous as you are, so its good to break the ice.
He also points out that template questions should be avoided. Every interview is different and requires special attention and tailoring.
Mainella explains that sometimes sour interviews cant be avoided, but they can be corrected. "Sometimes you catch people on an off day. Everyone wants to show you their sunday best, they're always looking to show the best version of themselves, and that doesn't always apply to the story." The best way to salvage a story thats gone sideways is look the subject in the face and say "you know I completely understand, during our time here together what would you like to talk about?". Everyone has bad days, something has happened in their lives that you have no possible way of avoiding. "The best strategy is to keep it simple, while giving them the option to talk about what they want to talk about". If misfortune has befallen you, and you're past the point of no return, it is in no way is it a reflection on you. Journalists are reminded to understand that it is an issue of time and place, not personal character. A good journalist never ever reacts to a subjects sour grapes.
While its important to stay on good terms with interview subjects, Mainella assures that a good journalist can't always people please. If there is a clash with a subject, "you may get offended, they may question your intelligence. it might be because you asked them something that upset them, or have gotten some information wrong. You may have been misinformed about something, don't trust Wikipedia!" A good interviewer keeps their head high, and eyes on the prize.
Mainella says that the most important question a journalist can ask is the follow up question. The follow up question trumps all other because it has the ability to open up a whole new can of worms that can and will take the interview to the next level. "It makes the best journalists because they are listening to what is being said, and they aren't afraid to go for it." However, it should always be in good taste, "you can go for the jugular, as long as you do it in a way thats professional". He is forging important relationships with people in the fashion industry, and explains that, "once you get into the cirlce, youre in, and making those interviews gets much easier."
Mainella has truly made a name for himself in learning the important skills of interviewing, and shares that the longer and harder you work, the easier it gets.
