It reminds us of what it takes to make a great documentary interview. There's a little bit of science and a little bit of art.
Don't start the cameras rolling straight away. First, build trust with your interviewee if you do not know the person before. A lot of people are giddy in front of camera and with lights being set up. Discuss recent events. Talk about sports. Make him or her comfortable about the setting.
Have the person include a portion of the question in the answer. This is for post. Perhaps the editor will not include the interviewer. If so, it helps to provide context for the viewer. By including a portion of the question in the answer, it helps the audience understand what the interviewee is talking about.
Continue to build trust by asking for permission. Before getting to the difficult questions, say things like "I'm going to push you today." Or "Just so you know -I'm going to discuss <difficult topic>."
If you chit chatted about sports or the movies and help relax the interviewee, this will help in your efforts to get the interviewee to keep talking about the sensitive subject.
These are just some of the effective techniques to conduct an interview in a film documentary.
To learn more, visit the video production services section of our website.
For directions to our New York city location:
From Conneticut - Take I-84, I-684 to Hutchinson River Pkway S, I-278 W and then FDR DR to Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place in Manhattan, New York. Take Exit 2 on FDR DR. Follow Madison to Monroe St.
From New Jersey: Get on NJ-133. Go NOrth until you merge with I-95 and I-78 to Holland Tunnel. Enter Manhattan. Take Varick St, Franklin St, Worth St, Catherine St and finally Monroe St.
From Long Island: Get on Northern State Pkway. Merge with I-495. Stay on it until you hit Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place in Manhattan. Get on FDR Drive. Exit 2. Take Madison St to Monroe St.
Public Transportation: Take any bus to the Porth Authority Bus Terminal. Take A/C/E to West 4 St. Transfer to F train Get off East Broadway.
From Grand Central: take the 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge. Walk 14 minutes to 25 Monroe st., NY, New York 10002.
