Producers Training // Production III
Interview Techniques
Heavily based on an article from Reliant Studios
Prep
Study Up
You're gonna want to have some conversation starters.
Prepare Questions
But realize that you won't use them as scripts.
They'll be open-ended guides.
Call them!
Have the interviewer call the interviewee.
Even if its a quick conversation, it helps build rapport.
During the
Interview
Make Them
Comfortable
Welcome them warmly. Get them a drink.
If you can, have one person designated as the interviewer.
That person does all the talking as the crew sets up.
Minimize
Distractions
Roll with as small of crew as possible.
Make everyone that's non-essential leave.
Make sure your cards are empty and your batteries are charged.
Have a
Conversation!
90% of being a good interviewer is being a good conversationalist.
Ask those open-ended questions. Re-direct tangents.
Use
Restatements
"So it sounds like that was a pretty cool experience, huh?"
You'd THINK they'd say:
"Yeah, idiot. That's what I just told you."
What they really say:
"Yeah, it was! And you know what? (interesting nugget that they just remembered)"
Peel the Onion
Dig deeper. Ask follow-up questions.
Let's Try
This Again
Sometimes you have to
go back to go forward.
Don't Take Notes
Silence is OK
Smile and nod.
Mind those
Nonverbals
Make Eye Contact, Smile, Nod, Relax
Getting the Story You Want
You need way less content then
you think you do.
Producers Training // Production III: Interview Techniques
By levinels
