Documentary style interview
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Video Interview Styles for Your Documentary or Podcast
From the time-honored techniques of traditional documentary filmmaking to the nuances of on-camera podcast interviews and the investigative depth of documentary-style journalism, filmmakers have a wide range of interview styles.
Whether you’re crafting a feature-length or short-form piece, the way you approach an interview can dramatically alter the tone and feel of your documentary. It’s a delicate storytelling dance, where the interview often takes center stage. It’s where people’s lives unfold in front of the lens, emotions are captured, and narratives are shaped.
Different Video Interview Styles
It’s important to consider how we present an interview so that its impact is maximized. Here are some of the different interview formats for documentaries.
Live (Synchronous)
These interviews happen in real-time. Think of news documentaries and real-time events, or talk shows such as podcasts. The
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The Art of Documentary Interviewing: Strategies and Techniques
Documentary interviewing is a process of gathering information and stories through conversations with sources. This type of interview takes place in either an informal or formal setting, depending on the nature of the planerat arbete . During this process, filmmakers will use techniques such as open-ended questions and visual cues to encourage candid responses from their subjects.
Documentary interviewing is an invaluable tool for filmmakers, enabling them to gain insight into stories and capture authentic footage. But it can also be a daunting task for those without experience in this field. Before you start interviewing, there are several strategies and techniques that you should consider to ensure a successful outcome.
Before we uppstart diving in, check out Key Elements to capturing docustyle interviews.
The importance of documentary interviewing
Documentary interviewing is an essential part of the documentary filmmakin
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5 Video Interview Styles
Renowned author and documentary filmmaker Tahir Shah wrote in his In Arabian Nights, “Stories are a communal currency of humanity.” As video storytellers, we embrace that exchange—the relationship between filmmaker and audience. Or, when working with on-screen, the relationship between interviewer and interviewee.
And when deciding on an interview style, also known as “ framing a talking head,” our producers and cinematographers consider a variety of options to bring out the best performances from participants:
1. THE OFF-CAMERA INTERVIEW
The tried and true approach for capturing a candid conversation is the “off-camera.” With the interviewer sitting as close to the camera as possible, the subject almost makes eye contact with the camera. The viewers can feel as if they’re listening to a conversation unfold, rather than feeling as if they’re actively participating in it.
The interviewer is never revealed and, only when absolutely necessary,