The skill of interviewing is often overlooked, something we as filmmakers invest little effort into.
Truth be told, most of us think that it’s the responsibility of the other person, the one being interviewed, to bring the energy and the passion.
We rarely properly value what we, as a director or producer, bring to the table in being able to create the space and opportunity for a powerful interview.
Join us in-the-field on one of our largest commercial projects of the year as we share three techniques we use for getting powerful interviews.
Hosted by Grant Peelle, Senior Creative Director here at Muse Storytelling.
This video on Interview Mastery about the Three Powerful Tips For More Effective Conversations offers a deep dive into the techniques that can transform an ordinary interview into an extraordinary experience. If you’re looking to connect with your subjects on a deeper level and create more emotional and authentic interviews, this summary will guide you through the key insights from the video. For those ready to cut to the chase, here’s a quick overview of the highlights:
Preparation for High Stakes Interviews
- Understanding the Interviewee: The video emphasizes talking from the heart, not from a script. It highlights the importance of knowing the person you’re interviewing, like their hobbies and interests, to create an authentic connection.
- Utilizing Poetry and Art: The interviewer reads the interviewee’s poetry and commits phrases to memory, using creative expressions to connect on a deeper level.
- Finding Story-Relevant Content: The interviewer selects meaningful content that aligns with the story, using phrases that invite the right conversation and make it compelling.
Exploring Ideas and Colors
- Describing Unique Locations: The video talks about the unique colors in different areas, such as blue in the north and green in the south, to create a vivid picture and transport the audience.
- Questioning the Commonplace: The interviewer encourages the interviewee to explore familiar subjects in a new light, asking about specific colors and why they are chosen, to make the conversation more engaging.
- Emotion and Detail: The interviewer helps the interviewee feel the emotion of the moment and invites the audience into what she loves about it, transporting them to that same level of love and connection.
Reflecting Energy and Emotion
- Matching the Interviewee’s Energy: The video emphasizes that the interviewee is a reflection of you, and you should match the energy you want from them, creating a more harmonious interaction.
- Social Permission: The interviewer gives social permission for the interviewee to express themselves freely, providing the energy and life needed for the conversation, making it more genuine.
- Applying Techniques in Life: The video concludes by suggesting that these techniques can be used in everyday life to have a more rich and meaningful connection with others, extending beyond filmmaking.
Dive into the video for a richer experience or use this summary as a roadmap to enhance your interviewing skills. 🎙️ Happy interviewing!
