How do conduct a documentary interview: Tips from the experts

A successful documentary will consist of several essential elements, including preparing, conducting, and presenting
interviews.

Documentary interviews are vital for maintaining accuracy, and they form the backbone of any documentary. They are conducted for many different reasons.

First, they add an extra level of meaning into a documentary by providing insights from real-life people who can give their opinions about a specific topic as well as additional information to inform viewers.

As documentaries are a visual form of art, viewers can glimpse the genuine emotions of interviewees on their screens, enhancing the experience of watching the documentary.

Many experts on certain topics are also interviewed in documentaries, informing viewers about valuable information central to the theme of the documentary.

Whatever type of person you are interviewing for a documentary, it’s important to get it right.

How to interview someone for a documentary

Mastering the interviewing process for a documentary is essential for forging connections between the interviewees and those who watch the documentary.

First, it’s never a good idea to delve straight into the interview without preparation. Before it takes place, you should conduct a pre-interview to understand what the documentary will address.

Then, you’ll need to craft questions for the people you intend to interview. These should be thought-provoking and specific to make the documentary as insightful as possible.

During the interview, you have a creative license to veer away from the questions you have noted down, especially if the interviewee wants to guide the interview in a different direction and add a unique point of view.

In terms of setting, the interviewee should feel comfortable, encouraging them to open up more and give their honest opinions.

Remember that a good interview for a documentary is not just about listing several questions and noting down a response.

It’s also about engaging with the person you are interviewing to make the video clip contain interesting responses for the documentary viewer.

How to film a documentary interview

One of the first steps to take when filming a documentary is setting up your equipment.

While those viewing the documentary may not see you, they will constantly be presented with the background of the interviewee.

Make sure there’s nothing in the background that would distract the viewer from the subject matter.

Along with turning on the camera and getting ready to record, you should also consider the lighting. If the person is not visible, or cannot be heard during the interview, you may need to re-record, which could take up valuable filming time.

It’s also worth noting that you should set a time limit on how long you spend filming each segment. If you let the interviews become extremely long, you will make more work for yourself when you are editing.

If you’re conducting multiple interviews, it’s vital to maintain consistency. For example, your interview style should be the same across the interviews.

While it’s fine to match the energy of the person you’re interviewing, it can be confusing for the viewer if you switch from a confrontational tone with one person to an empathic tone with another.

There are also technical challenges that you’ll need to overcome.

It’s worth keeping a backup camera in case your main one runs out of storage or battery so that you can continue your interviews with minimal interruptions.

Similarly, it’s advisable to conduct your interviews without spacing them too far apart as viewers can pick up on inconsistencies in tonality or energy in them.

Reach out to Eight Engines for help with documentary production

Eight Engines is your go-to destination for crafting compelling, film-like narratives that breathe life into your stories.

As a distinguished video production company in Manchester, we provide a wide array of services encompassing brand promotion, social media content, corporate videos, theatre and arts productions, and broadcasting.

Whether you’re looking to produce concise documentaries or more extensive video content, we’re dedicated to bringing your vision to life.

Our team is equipped to guide you through the entire project lifecycle, from initial planning and filming to post-production. We also offer guidance on distributing your final product to ensure it reaches the right audience.

If you have a general query about documentary production in Manchester, or want to find out more about our services, why not get in touch? You can visit our website, email us at info@eightengines.com or give us a call on (+44) 0161 974 1319.

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