Mastering Effective Interview Skills for Documentaries

Documentary filmmaking requires a unique set of skills that go beyond just filming. One crucial aspect is how to effectively interview your subjects. This article will explore the key skills and techniques needed to conduct impactful interviews, ensuring rich, engaging content for your documentaries.

The Art of Building Rapport

The foundation of a successful interview is establishing a positive rapport with your interviewee. This often starts with:

1. Friendliness and Warmth: Ensure your interviewee feels comfortable. A friendly and warm demeanor can make all the difference. As a documentary interviewer, it's better to establish rapport during the shoot rather than during the editing process where you might have more flexibility.

2. Build Eye Contact: Encourage your interviewee to meet your gaze. This can help them feel more connected and make the conversation more natural. Smiling also helps in creating a more relaxed atmosphere.

Gauging Media Savviness and Politeness

Some interviewees, particularly those who are more media savvy, may be able to rephrase their answers in a way that suits the documentary's narrative better. It's important to handle these situations diplomatically:

1. Clear Communication: Start by explaining that the edit suite is where adjustments are made, and not during the interview. Most interviewees are cooperative if they understand this. Encourage honest and straightforward responses, which you can always adjust during the editing process.

Assembling a Team That Works

A documentary team is more than just the interviewer and the camera operator. The entire crew impacts the comfort and openness of your interviewee:

1. Select a Reliably Positive Crew: Work with people who are skilled in making interviewees comfortable. A camera operator who can quickly disarm nervous individuals with a joke can make a significant difference in setting a relaxed tone.

Planning and Preparation

To ensure a productive interview, it is essential to come prepared:

1. Be Informed: Before the interview, do research on the subject to understand their background and perspective. This knowledge will guide your questions and help you ask informative and probing questions.

2. Note Taking: Always bring a notepad and pen to jot down key points and ideas. These notes can be helpful during the editing process and can guide you to ask more detailed follow-up questions.

Collecting B Roll Footage

Documentary interviews thrive on visual storytelling. Here's why capturing B Roll footage is crucial:

1. Context and Emotion: B Roll shots provide context to the audio. These visuals can emphasize the emotional or physical aspects of the interviewee's experiences, making the documentary more engaging.

2. Visual Narratives: B Roll footage can be used to narrate parts of the story visually, allowing you to build a richer and more layered narrative.

Asking Open-Ended Questions and Following Up

Avoid leading questions and opt for open-ended ones. Here are some tips:

1. Active Listening: Focus on the entire response before asking follow-up questions. This encourages a more natural conversation and shows the interviewee that you are genuinely interested in their perspective.

2. Follow-Up Questions: Use follow-up questions to clarify or expand on the subject's points. This not only deepens the conversation but also provides more material for editing. It's a good idea to prepare a list of key topics to cover, but remain flexible and open to discovering new angles during the interview.

Strategies for Effective Interviewing

Remember that the key to effective interviewing is practice. Here's how to improve your skills:

1. Practice with Friends and Family: Conduct mock interviews with friends and family members. This gives you the opportunity to refine your techniques and gain confidence in your interviewing style.

2. Learn from Your Experiences: After each interview, reflect on what worked and what didn't. This self-assessment is a valuable tool for growth and can help you become a more skilled documentary interviewer.

While this article has provided a comprehensive guide to effective documentary interviewing, it is essential to recognize the wealth of knowledge available in books and online resources. For instance, my upcoming book will delve deeper into the art of interviewing, offering additional tips and strategies for success.

Through consistent practice, thoughtful planning, and attention to detail, you can master the art of documentary interviewing and create compelling and engaging documentaries that resonate with your audience.