The interview is a fundamental element of most documentary films and many video blogs. Through examples and discussion this session, which I presented at Podcamp Boston 3, covered practical strategies and techniques including how and why to use interviews, how to choose the right interview style (e.g. walk-and-talk vs. formal sit-down), how to choose a form of address (e.g. first-person vs. third person), tips for prepare for an interview, suggestions for putting subjects at ease, how to conduct an interview, and more. The session was designed for both beginning and intermediate videobloggers and documentary filmmakers.
Related to this presentation, see also my previous post, “Notes on the Interview” (January 23, 1006). This is a set of notes I’ve collected that I use to remind myself of things to think about when I’m preparing to do an interview.
View slides (on SlideShare): Art of the Interview PC3
Download slides as a PDF (from SlideShare): Art-of-the-Interview-PCB3
List of example clips screened and discussed (year, description, roles):
“Student Activities Midway” (2006, video podcast story segment, MIT ZigZag Episode #10, Co-Producer, Director, Editor)
“MIT Freshman Experience” (2007, video podcast episode, MIT ZigZag Episode #14, Producer, Director, Editor )
“Journey to MIT” (2007, excerpt from series produced for 2007 MIT pre-commencement show, Co-Producer, Director of Photography)
Some of these clips can be viewed at: kino-eye.com/about/reel/