Interview Techniques

Notable documentary makers:


Louis Theroux - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCClVhtJY5w
David Attenborough - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWI1eCbksdE
Stacey Dooley - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtfKs2E-0KA
Michael Moore - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRQv9xMQ3E0









Rule of Thirds - Interviewee to left / right of frame, divide frame into 3, eyes point to opposite side
More than 1 interviewee = alternate between left and right of frame








Protocol


Open questions - who, what, when, where, why, how
Closed questions - Yes and No questions
Greet - Say hello, introduce yourself, ask interviewee's name
Ask them to spell their name
Don't look at lens
Ask for silence in the room








Camera
Focus tighter - wider frame
pull focus - zoom in
pull out - zoom out
rule of thirds
"Noddies" - nodding in response to question
Power of Silence - An interviewer's silence after asking a question forces the interviewee to talk
Ask 1st question again as the very last question - The interviewee will be much more comfortable by the end of the interview, and will have a more relaxed and clear answer

Expand on previous questions
Tips to prepare microphone for documentary
TX = Trasmitter
RX = Reciever
Interviewee clips the mic to their shirt