Nervous, exciting and one take: What it was like interviewing General Sir Gwyn Jenkins
As a reporter, it's not all that unusual to get to interview important or famous people.
Down the years I've managed three prime ministers and two princes, not to mention countless celebrities. Usually, you'll get a couple of minutes with them before they're whisked away.
Not this time.
Nothing off-limits
This interview with General Sir Gwyn Jenkins was unusual and exciting in so many ways.
Firstly, we had a really large chunk of time with him, and secondly, there was really nothing that was off-limits.
We were allowed to discuss the whole gambit of difficult topics facing the Senior Service in 2026.
As I say, unusual.
The other thrilling (or terrifying) aspect of this experience was the form the interview would take.
No sitting and talking in a studio or office. This was going to be a dynamic affair. Walking and talking our way around the ship.
Producer Jane Franklin and I had worked out a really ambitious schedule of filming in eight or nine locations.
Right first time
It was doable, given the time we had, but only just. And, critically, it would only work if each section was done first time, without any need for retakes.
I was nervous about this, as were camera operators Lewis Bartley and Chris Giles. We all knew we had to be spot on to stand any chance of it coming off.
The results though, I think, speak for themselves. An open, honest and wide-ranging interview in a really accessible style.
I'll let you into a secret. Each sequence you see was done in one take. That’s what makes it seem so fresh and open.
I'm not a reporter given to grilling interviewees. I believe in letting them have their say and I think this style helped elicit some refreshingly reflective answers from the head of the Navy.
That's my view anyway.
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