Getting someone in focus

Ask a few routine questions, then switch to inquiries that reveal more about someone's personality. That seems to be a pattern for the interviews that have appeared recently in Holiday Time , the Bangkok Post 's festive season special section.

And it works. Reading the answers to the questions in the interview here, we get an idea what Sarah Ball, the interviewee, is like, what is important to her, what makes her happy, what her goals are.

Of course, the Bangkok Post interviews people who are well known or who are doing something special. But ordinary people are just as interesting when we get to know them. That's what you'll have a chance to do with this activity today.

As you read today's interview, what impresses you most about Sarah? Does she have some quality that you admire?

After you have read about Sarah, think of someone you'd like to get to know better. Choose someone you know but don't know very well.

Think about which questions from the interview you could ask to learn more about what the person is really like. Here are some extra questions from another Holiday Time interview that might also work with your interviewee.

• Where were you born and where do you call home?
• What's the most fun thing about your work?
• Tell me about the most recent important event in your life?
• Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
• Who do you consider the biggest influence in your life?

Consider taking a picture of your interviewee. Try to make it a photograph that shows something about the person, maybe in a place where he or she works or lives, or with an important or well-loved object.

You won't want to share all you learned about your interviewee with your class, but be prepared to explain what impressed you most.

OUR STORIES FROM THE BANGKOK POST

Model student

Believe it or not she's only 16, but this International School of the Regents student already knows exactly what she wants — to keep up with her studies and fit in as much modelling and acting as comes her way. And having recently won the much coveted Brio Super Model and picked up some bigtime TV commercials along the way, she's well on target.

Where were you born?
In England.

What are the biggest lessons you've learned in school?
Apart from the information I've learned in class, I've learned how to take more responsibility, and that if I want to do well, I can if I put all my effort into it.

Which people do you most admire? Why?
I admire my parents, as they've always stood by me, no matter what I am doing.

What are the most important things you do to stay beautiful?
Normally every morning, I put on moisturiser and sunscreen and a lot of body lotion. I also try to get as much sleep as I can.

What are the qualities you look for in a boyfriend?
Honesty, sincerity, caring and someone I'll enjoy spending time with.

What are the qualities you most appreciate in your girl friends?
Being trustworthy, understanding and honest. And with them I always know that I'll have fun.

What are the best and the worst things about your work?
It's a lot of fun to have people do your makeup and hair and getting to wear nice clothes. And it's a lot of fun acting, having your picture taken and sometimes, doing weird poses I'd never thought of. Also, since I've done the modeling I've been able to go to places I've never been before. There aren't many bad things about my work, but probably, the worst is all the waiting at castings but I've gotten used to it.

Where are your favourite places to shop?
I like to shop in MBK and Siam. I also buy stuff at Jaspal and the small little clothes shops they have in Big C where I live.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Umm probably on CD's and accessories. I also love to go to jewelry and gift shops and I spend a lot on books and magazines.

What's your idea of a good night out on the town?
I enjoy going out shopping with my friends and going out with my family for dinner.

What's the most fun you've ever had?
The most fun I've had recently was doing the Priew competition, especially when all the girls who entered came together to practice walking. We spent the whole day eating, talking and basically just enjoying ourselves.

What makes you laugh?
Almost everything makes me laugh; it doesn't take a lot, especially when I'm with people I'm close to.

What makes you blush?
Having to speak in front of a lot of people and saying the wrong thing. I'm not very good at speaking on the spur of the moment especially in front of a lot of people I don't know, and I end up stuttering if I haven't thought it through and start saying irrelevant things.

What was the last thing that made you cry?
I can't really remember, maybe it was when I was watching a sad film.

What was the last thing that made you really angry?
I can't remember I think it was when I started to get frustrated over something simple I couldn't do.

What are your plans at New Years?
I'm going to spend it at home with my parents and family that are coming over and we'll probably go out and have dinner somewhere.

What next?
I plan to continue doing my modelling as well as going to school at the same time, and hopefully go on to university.