Documentary Interview Challenges
What makes documentary interviewing challenging is the need to juggle listening to your subject, formulating your next question, and being fully present in the conversation. It's crucial to truly listen and absorb what you're being told to ask the right questions.
Preparation and Research
Someone granting you an interview is a gift – don't squander it with mundane questions. To ask more interesting questions, thorough preparation is key. Start with a comprehensive document filled with every conceivable thought and question related to your subject. Find the obvious stuff. Then dive deep into various sources, including tangentially related materials, to unearth thought-provoking questions that can lead your documentary interview in unexpected directions.
Going Beyond the Obvious
For example, I was interviewing the president of the Acropolis Museum about the Parthenon Marbles but instead of asking him directly about the missing marbles, which is a story that's been told many times, I asked him about the empty spaces in the museum. His response: "I can understand that empty areas necessary for life." From here, the interview became this meditation on absence and it was just a different perspective on a well-known story
Narrowing Down Questions
From your extensive document, distill your questions to a manageable set. I find around seven to ten questions is a good amount to sustain an hour long interview. Hopefully from your research you've identified a key theme or focus for your questions; structure your questions to move progressively deeper towards an emotional truth.
The Importance of Research
Emphasising the significance of research, every question should stem from a deep understanding of your subject and topic. It's essential to dig deep into their thoughts, feelings, and motivations to uncover compelling insights.
Flexibility and Curiosity
While a pre-written list is crucial, be open to the organic flow of conversation. Let curiosity guide your questions, allowing room for spontaneous inquiries that arise naturally during the interview. These are often the most interesting moments.
Editing in Real-Time
Maintain an awareness of the overarching narrative of your film as this will inform the direction of your questioning. From your research you may have decided on a focus for the interview, or a theme you want to explore. Use this to keep the conversation on track, however, be prepared for the unexpected and embrace the fluidity of the conversation. Ultimately, you're speaking to this person because you want to know their thoughts and feelings NOT have them relay a prescribed speech.
Knowing When to Pause
Finally, sometimes, silence can be more profound than words. Learn to recognise when to refrain from asking follow-up questions and allow space for reflection. Often, people will fill this space with some of their deeper thoughts.