Context - formatting

[REBORN]

How do we format an Interview Transcript?

Do you go: "Interview transcript between John and Smith" and then go

J: Hi
S: Hi

Or do we have to define John = J before hand and any other stylistic features?

ty

[burbs]

John (henceforth known as J): Hello Sam
Sam (henceforth known as S): Well hello John, nice weather isn't it? How is your dog going?
J: You know very well how my dog is doing. He is still recovering, thank you very much.
S: (Maniacal laughter) Excellent.

That could be acceptable. It depends on what publication - you have to keep it authentic.

[REBORN]

Publication? It's a transcript of an interview broadcast live on TV.

[burbs]

J and S is fine then. If you are doing it in a magazine you need to be consistent with the stylistic features of that magazine.

[REBORN]

Can I still have the (maniacal laughter) and "pause for claps" and stuff like that?

[burbs]

Yes