Profiles are supposed to offer us revealing glimpses into the lives of people who intrigue us for one reason or another, whether they are Hollywood celebrities, politicians, sports players, rock stars, or just some random, enigmatic character we see on the street.
Profiles are supposed to get down to the nitty gritty of a person's character -- the "real" story behind the man/woman. Often, a journalist will interview not only the subject of their story, but several people in that person's life, too -- family, business partners, enemies and critics. They'll surf the internet looking for old stories and background information, maybe even pull up police reports, legal documents, tax filings -- whatever sources they need to make their story interesting, complete, and three-dimensional.
Sometimes, it's also in what the journalist isn't being told -- the information they aren't able to get -- where the story can be the most illuminating. One of the most famous examples of this sort of story is "Frank Sinatra Has A Cold" by Gay Talese. Talese obviously had a hell of a time getting Frank to sit down and be open with him. But it didn't stop Talese from writing a close study of the singer. He simply relied on other instincts -- other signs and observations -- in order to give us a rather personal and touching glimpse of Sinatra.
Today, "Frank Sinatra Has A Cold," which first ran in Esquire Magazine in 1966, is considered the paragon of profiles. For any young writer, this story is required reading. It's a classic, for sure.
For Monday (February 7), I want you to read the piece (just click on the above link). Then, I want you to answer the five questions on page 155 of Harbrace under "What Makes It a Profile?"
Finally, I want you to watch this interview with Gay Talese about the art of writing a profile (he talks a lot about this story, in particular). Write a reflection on the interview in at least 300 words.
DUE: Before class Monday, February 7, 2011
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