I'm filming a documentary and am aproaching refered people (i.e. authors and neighborhood association people) to interview but I'm having a big problem because most of the people I would like to interview have a horendous attitude towards being interviewed. I'm asking these people to talk about my subject work. One persons attitude was that of living under george orwells 1984. Another person completely insulted me.
Anybody have any clues on how to get people to do interviews?
homer0thompson@yahoo.com
Documentary interviews
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crimsonson
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As a camera operator, editor and currently producing a documentary of my own, here are the few tips I can give....
The interviewer is always right! If they say the the earth is flat, the earth is flat. You can always ask a hypothetical question to counter ("What would you do IF the earth is not flat?")
RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, both on the topic and the person you are going to interview.
You should have enough research to be able to KNOW HOW they are going to answer the question before you ask the question.
Compliment on your first meeting. Since you have done some research on their life, open up with something like "How does it feel to be part of such a great xxxx?" "Thankyou for taking this time"
"I saw your last work..." You dont have to compliment but you go to make sure that you give them a feeling that they are interesting and worthy of research?
Actors are paid to wait but not interviewees. Setup quick.
Use cool lights. Hot lights = short interview.
Never interrupt no matter how ridiculous the statement is ("So me and Elvis...")
In an interview - sound is more important than visual. You can always cover them with B-Roll, but a screwed up sound is 95% unuseable. Double shotgut mic or Lav/Boom combo is preferred.
Prep them. As the producer you should be spending time to talk to the interviewer while the crew sets up.
If you are doing the setting up, TALK to them while you setup. This will give you hints on how they will be under the lights (though some people are Jekyll and Hyde in regards to camera).
Compliment them on their answers BUT be sincere!! If they say something funny - say so.
EYER CONTACT. If you need to write something down, tell them before hand that you will. This is very important.
Oh yeah - some people are just boring - NEVER EVER YAWN!
The interviewer is always right! If they say the the earth is flat, the earth is flat. You can always ask a hypothetical question to counter ("What would you do IF the earth is not flat?")
RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, both on the topic and the person you are going to interview.
You should have enough research to be able to KNOW HOW they are going to answer the question before you ask the question.
Compliment on your first meeting. Since you have done some research on their life, open up with something like "How does it feel to be part of such a great xxxx?" "Thankyou for taking this time"
"I saw your last work..." You dont have to compliment but you go to make sure that you give them a feeling that they are interesting and worthy of research?
Actors are paid to wait but not interviewees. Setup quick.
Use cool lights. Hot lights = short interview.
Never interrupt no matter how ridiculous the statement is ("So me and Elvis...")
In an interview - sound is more important than visual. You can always cover them with B-Roll, but a screwed up sound is 95% unuseable. Double shotgut mic or Lav/Boom combo is preferred.
Prep them. As the producer you should be spending time to talk to the interviewer while the crew sets up.
If you are doing the setting up, TALK to them while you setup. This will give you hints on how they will be under the lights (though some people are Jekyll and Hyde in regards to camera).
Compliment them on their answers BUT be sincere!! If they say something funny - say so.
EYER CONTACT. If you need to write something down, tell them before hand that you will. This is very important.
Oh yeah - some people are just boring - NEVER EVER YAWN!
You will have to make them feel they know something you don't know things they know and you are very interested in knowing what they know..a low profile attitude will help. The last time I did an interview I called people first, told them about my plans, asked them if they might be interested to cooperate, and proposed a meeting for getting to know them without a camera first(!!!!!) (again low profile..). This pre interview is also good because then you know how to direct the interview a bit when you are going to record it (saves time as well; and you can ask them to repeat things because you found it very interesting). Research is indeed very important if only to show/proof to people you are really interested because you already know some things. It proofs you take them and your film seriously. I think the insulting is incidental. Most people have manners. Don't let it discourage you.
Paul
Paul