16 - INTERVIEWS

It can be daunting for your subjects to be filmed when they’re not used to it, so try to make them as comfortable as possible.

» If possible, position the camera on a tripod and stand just to the side, so that the interviewee can look at your face and see your expressions. If not, tell the person if you want them to look directly into the camera or give them another reference point on which to focus, to stop their eyeline from shifting around.

» Ask a couple of easy questions to start with, to get them warmed up. Have a list of questions ready, but don’t forget to listen to what they say and ask follow-up questions to their answers.

» Ask open-ended questions and make sure you ask about emotions: how did the person feel when that thing happened?

» Keep the camera rolling at the end of the interview, but let them think you’ve switched it off. Chat casually; they will speak more freely when they feel under less pressure.

» Leave space for editing before asking the next question and, unless you are in the film yourself, try to avoid murmuring noises of agreement when they’re talking[…] »

» Leave space for editing before asking the next question and, unless you are in the film yourself, try to avoid murmuring noises of agreement when they’re talking – it makes editing tricky and may mean you can’t use that perfect clip.