– The art of documentary ideas and structure
· You need to determine the theme and angle you want to get out of a documentary. The content of an interview is often the backbone of a documentary.
· Pictures need to be explained and the information given needs to be accurate.
In this session we looked at a powerpoint which included helpful pointers on how to make a successful documentary.
Interview preparation
· Thorough research on the background of the interviewee shows professionalism.
· It can sometimes help you to get a good interview if you show the interviewee the questions in advance.
· You need to know exactly what you aim to achieve by conducting this interview. The purpose needs to be clear in your head.
· Prepare the questions and make sure you only ask open questions, so not to invite short one word answers.
· Encourage description and emotion – ask them to describe something and say how they feel about it, how was the process for them and what were the problems.
· Get the interviewee comfortable and into their stride. Try some warm up questions.
· The location for the interview should be familiar and comfortable for them. This will help them to relax and give a more faultless interview.
· Make sure there are no likely sound distractions which could ruin an interview. You can always ask an interviewee to repeat the last parts…but if a mobile phone going off can be avoided then it should be!
On the day
· Introduce yourself and say who you are, what the purpose of the interview is.
· Give them plenty of eye contact and take real interest in what they are saying.
· Sit close to the camera lens to ensure good eye line.
· Keep questions short and clear.
· Don’t ask double questions which could confuse and through the interviewee of their stride.
· Don’t be nervous in getting the interviewee to repeat an answer.
· Make note of their answers and anything in them which would be a good visual sequence.
· Ask a bucket question at the end…’is there anything else you would like to add?’
· Check name spellings and titles and don’t forget to sign off release forms.
Post – production
· Transcribe the interviews as soon as possible while they are still fresh in your mind.
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