How to Capture an Authentic Documentary Interview The Right Way
Nothing can sap a person of his or her personality like an interview on camera. For inexperienced interviewees, the mere thought of filming their conversations causes them to clam up. Yet, when the cameras are off, and the microphones are put away, their personalities blossom.
With the wrong environment, questions, and strategy, conversations in any format can fall flat. To help both filmmakers and interviewers capture a person’s authentic, off-camera self when they’re clearly on camera, take a peek at these eight tips for better documentary interviews.
1. Film On Location
Whenever it’s possible, conduct the interview in a place that is both contextually relevant and comfortable for the interviewee. For instance, if you’re talking with an artist, consider filming in his or her studio. When shooting on location isn’t an option, find a studio space or well-lit conference room that doesn’t feel too clinical.
2. Add Motion
To add action to the shot, have your subject do an activity while talking. Take our example above: have the artist continue painting, sculpting, prepping canvas, etc. while he or she is speaking. Not only will this motion make the shot more interesting to the viewer, but it may relax your interviewee.
On-the-go interviews are an excellent way to capture a person’s personality, as well. While it takes some planning, try a walk-and-talk interview. For more of a stream-of-conscious style, considering setting up a “drive-and-talk.”
3. Listen More, Talk Less
A good interviewer knows when to shut it. Furthermore, review your questions to ensure they’re clear, concise, and easy to unpack. When the question has too many components, your subject is more likely to ramble in an attempt to address everything.
Be sure to moderate the conversation to help the interviewee stay on track. While tangents can be an organic way to push the conversation forward, they can also kill the conversation’s momentum. Unless the interview is supposed to meander, your interviewee will be thankful you kept them on the rails.
It should be noted that listening means more than absorbing your interviewees’ verbal communication. Pay attention to their body language. If you notice they’re fidgeting or getting restless, see if they need something (coffee, or water) or if they simply need a break.
4. Minimize The Noise
Communication breaks down if there are too many distractions. If you look at the basic model of communication, there are two main types of noise:
Physical Noise
Psychological Noise
Physical noise comes from the actual distractions in an environment. This noise could refer to sounds (e.g., chairs screeching, glasses clinking.), poor lighting, uncomfortable temperatures, bad smells, etc. Find somewhere clean, quiet, and semi-private to eliminate distractions and maximize focus.
Conversely, psychological noise happens “within” the interviewer and interviewee and restricts their abilities to express and understand messages clearly. It can occur if the questions are convoluted, the parties feel defensive or offended, or the interview feels rushed or unnatural. To minimize psychological noise, speak clearly, pace yourself, and use a neutral tone (this doesn’t mean monotone!).
5. Be The Mirror
Have you ever heard that laughing, smiling, and yawning are contagious? In a lot of ways, that’s true. This synchronicity is caused by a phenomenon called “mirroring.”
People often “mirror” another person’s attitudes, gestures, and speech patterns subconsciously while they’re talking. As strange as it may be, you can leverage this subconscious habit as a powerful tool for making your subject feel comfortable.
If you’re relaxed and candid, there is a good chance your interviewee will be too. Similarly, if you’re formal and scripted, he or she will button up.
6. Embrace The Silence
Yes, it’s an interview, but the moments without talking can be the most profound. If fact, the best conversations often have long pauses that build drama or accentuate a point.
When it comes to reckoning with the silence, it’s an all-too-common mistake to restate or rephrase a question for fear that your subject misunderstood you. While it may seem like an eternity, give him or her a moment to mull over what you’ve asked. Oftentimes the response is worth the wait.
Further, leave time between your reactions and responses. A little unfilled airtime can inspire people to add to their thought and dig deeper.
7. Prepare Your Questions
Without a roadmap, you’ll ramble yourself right into a conversational corner. Do your research, learn the language of the industry, and jot down some hard-hitting questions.
When it comes to the latter, avoid yes or no questions. It’s nearly impossible to make a one-word sound bite into a cinematic experience. To add fluidity to the conversation, try to memorize your questions. Otherwise, you’ll focus on your list rather than your subject. That said, always be spontaneous with your responses.
To keep the interview authentic, avoid sending your interviewee a comprehensive list of questions unless you absolutely have to. Otherwise, your subject will try to remember his or her answer, which can make the conversation sound robotic and unnatural.
Finally, on the topic of questions, warm up your interviewee with some soft pitches. You don’t want the conversation to feel like an inquisition.
8. Put The Camera Next To Your Face, Not In Theirs
You’re not the paparazzi, so don’t film like you’re digging for dirt. If you need a closeup, use your zoom.
To give the interview some style and depth, consider using a slider to make lengthy interview shots more interesting visually. If possible, use a b-camera to provide yourself with more options during post-production.
Helping People Tell Their Story
At MenajErie Studio, we love a good story. The only thing we love more is helping people tell theirs. From branded films to documentaries on New Americans, we’ve captured some incredible interviews, and we’d like to help you film yours. If you’re interested in learning more about MenajErie Studios, reach out to us by visiting our contact page.