Questions That Open People Up: Interviewing for Your First Documentary

Choose someone who cares. The best subject is not always the most famous or confident person. It is the one who truly cares about the topic and enjoys talking about it. Visit them before you film, and see whether the conversation flows.

Write open questions. A question that can be answered with yes or no ends the conversation quickly. Try questions that start with how, why or tell me about. For example: Tell me about the first time you tried this.

Ask for stories, not summaries. Instead of asking what makes your job difficult, ask about a day when something went wrong. Specific memories give you vivid details, and details make a documentary worth watching.

Make them feel comfortable. Sit at the same level, keep the crew small, and start with easy questions. Explain what you will do with the footage and ask if they have any worries. People relax when they feel respected.

Ask the person to answer in full sentences. Request that they include your question in their reply, so you can remove your voice in the edit. Something like: When I was young, I started... works much better than a simple yes.

Be quiet after the answer. Count to five in your head. People often add the most honest thing right after a pause. Prepare a few follow-ups. Listen closely, and ask what happened next or how it felt. Your written list is a guide, not a script.

Always end the same way. Ask whether there is anything you forgot to ask. Surprising answers often come from that question. Say thank you, and ask permission before sharing the finished film.