9.2 Types of Interview Styles and Their Applications
3 min read•august 6, 2024
Interviews are the backbone of documentary storytelling. They come in various styles, each with its own strengths. From formal sit-downs to impromptu street chats, the type of interview you choose can make or break your film.
Structured interviews offer control and depth, while informal ones capture spontaneity and authenticity. Knowing when to use each style is key. It's all about matching the interview approach to your story and subjects to get the most compelling content.
Structured Interviews
Formal Sit-Down Interviews
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- Conducted in a controlled setting (studio or office) with the interviewer and interviewee seated facing each other
- Follows a predetermined set of questions and topics, allowing for in-depth exploration of the subject matter
- Ideal for capturing detailed information, personal experiences, and expert opinions
- Requires careful preparation, including research on the interviewee and the topic, as well as crafting thoughtful questions
- Provides a professional and focused atmosphere, which can help the interviewee feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences (presidential interviews, celebrity profiles)
Expert and Confrontational Interviews
- focus on gathering information and insights from individuals with specialized knowledge or expertise in a particular field (scientists, historians, industry leaders)
- Confrontational interviews involve challenging the interviewee's statements, actions, or beliefs, often used in investigative journalism or when addressing controversial topics
- Requires the interviewer to be well-informed about the subject matter and prepared to ask tough, probing questions
- Aims to uncover the truth, hold individuals accountable, or present multiple perspectives on a complex issue (political scandals, social justice issues)
- Confrontational interviews can be emotionally charged and require the interviewer to maintain a balance between assertiveness and professionalism
Group Interviews
- Involve interviewing multiple individuals simultaneously, either in a structured or semi-structured format
- Allows for the exploration of group dynamics, shared experiences, and diverse perspectives on a given topic
- Useful for capturing the interactions and discussions among participants, which can provide valuable insights and reveal common themes or points of contention (focus groups, panel discussions)
- Requires the interviewer to facilitate the conversation, ensure equal participation, and manage group dynamics effectively
- Can be challenging to coordinate and may require a larger production setup to accommodate multiple participants and capture high-quality audio and video
Informal Interviews
Vox Pop and Walking Interviews
- Vox pop (vox populi) interviews involve short, impromptu conversations with random people in public spaces to gather a variety of opinions on a specific topic
- Walking interviews are conducted while the interviewer and interviewee are moving through a particular environment, such as a neighborhood or a place of significance to the story
- Both styles aim to capture authentic, unscripted responses and provide a sense of the public's sentiment or an individual's connection to a specific location
- Useful for adding color, diversity, and real-world context to a documentary story (street interviews, exploring a character's hometown)
- Requires the interviewer to be adaptable, quick-thinking, and able to establish rapport with strangers in a short amount of time
Observational and Narrative Interviews
- Observational interviews are conducted in the subject's natural environment, capturing their actions, interactions, and conversations as they unfold
- Narrative interviews focus on eliciting personal stories, experiences, and reflections from the interviewee, allowing them to shape the narrative in their own words
- Both styles prioritize the interviewee's perspective and aim to minimize the interviewer's presence or influence on the story being told
- Useful for creating intimate, character-driven documentaries that explore individual lives, relationships, and experiences (fly-on-the-wall documentaries, oral history projects)
- Requires patience, , and the ability to create a comfortable and trusting environment for the interviewee to share their story openly and authentically
Key Terms to Review (23)
Active Listening: Active listening is a communication technique that involves fully focusing, understanding, responding, and remembering what the speaker is saying. This skill is essential for creating an effective dialogue, ensuring that both parties feel heard and valued. It fosters trust and allows interviewers to gather deeper insights, making it particularly important when preparing for interviews, managing challenging situations, and applying various interview styles.
Barbara Kopple: Barbara Kopple is an acclaimed American documentary filmmaker known for her groundbreaking work that often focuses on social issues and human rights. Her films are characterized by their immersive storytelling and a commitment to presenting the voices of marginalized communities. Kopple's approach often includes in-depth interviews and a unique ability to capture real-life struggles, connecting her work to the broader impact of documentaries on society and media.
Character interviews: Character interviews are a specific type of interview style used in documentary filmmaking that focus on gaining personal insights, emotions, and stories from individuals who are central to the narrative. This style aims to create an intimate connection between the audience and the characters by revealing their thoughts, experiences, and motivations. By using character interviews, filmmakers can deepen the viewer's understanding of the subject matter and humanize the story being told.
Consistency: Consistency refers to the quality of maintaining a stable and coherent approach throughout a project or process. In the context of interviews, it involves delivering uniformity in style, tone, and questioning across multiple interactions, which is crucial for building trust and ensuring clarity in communication.
Constructivist approach: The constructivist approach is a theory of learning that posits knowledge is constructed through interaction with the world and is shaped by personal experiences and social contexts. This perspective emphasizes the active role of learners in constructing their own understanding, suggesting that knowledge is not simply transmitted from teacher to student, but rather built through collaborative and reflective processes.
Depth of Response: Depth of response refers to the level of insight and detail provided in answers, particularly during interviews, which impacts the richness and authenticity of the information shared. This concept is crucial in shaping how effectively interviewers can elicit meaningful narratives and perspectives from participants, ultimately affecting the documentary's storytelling and engagement.
Errol Morris: Errol Morris is a renowned American documentary filmmaker known for his innovative techniques and unique storytelling style that often blends investigative journalism with a strong focus on the subject's personal narrative. His work frequently challenges traditional documentary conventions, prompting audiences to question the nature of truth and representation.
Expert interviews: Expert interviews are structured conversations with individuals who have specialized knowledge or experience in a particular field, aimed at gaining insights and perspectives that enhance the understanding of a documentary's subject matter. These interviews can provide credibility and depth to the narrative, as experts often bring unique viewpoints, data, and analysis that contribute to a more nuanced presentation of the topic.
Follow-up questions: Follow-up questions are inquiries posed during or after an interview to gather deeper insights, clarify previous responses, or encourage elaboration from the interviewee. They are essential for enhancing the depth and quality of the interview, allowing the interviewer to explore topics more thoroughly and gain richer information.
Historical documentaries: Historical documentaries are non-fiction films or video productions that explore and interpret past events, figures, and societies, often using archival footage, photographs, and expert interviews to provide context. These documentaries aim to educate viewers about history through storytelling techniques that highlight the significance of past occurrences, making them accessible and engaging.
Informed Consent: Informed consent is the process of obtaining voluntary agreement from participants to engage in research or documentary filmmaking after providing them with comprehensive information about the study's purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits. This process ensures that subjects fully understand what participation entails, allowing them to make an educated decision about their involvement while also addressing ethical considerations related to autonomy and respect for individuals.
Interviewee representation: Interviewee representation refers to how individuals being interviewed are portrayed in documentary films or projects, emphasizing their voice, perspective, and context. This concept is crucial for ensuring that the interviewees' identities and experiences are authentically depicted, influencing the audience's understanding of the subject matter and shaping the narrative of the documentary.
Interviewer flexibility: Interviewer flexibility refers to the ability of an interviewer to adapt their questioning style and approach during an interview based on the responses and behavior of the interviewee. This skill is crucial for creating a comfortable environment, allowing for deeper engagement, and uncovering richer narratives. By being responsive and modifying their techniques, interviewers can draw out more meaningful insights that may not be revealed through rigid questioning.
Narrative theory: Narrative theory is the study of how stories are constructed and understood, focusing on the structure, elements, and functions of narratives. It encompasses the ways narratives shape our perception of reality and influence the way we communicate experiences. This theory helps to analyze various forms of storytelling, including oral traditions, literature, and visual media, revealing the complexities behind narrative construction and reception.
Non-verbal cues: Non-verbal cues are the messages expressed without words, including facial expressions, body language, gestures, and eye contact. These cues play a critical role in communication by conveying emotions, attitudes, and reactions that words alone may not fully express. Understanding non-verbal cues is essential for effective interaction, as they can significantly influence the interpretation of verbal messages.
Question format: Question format refers to the structured way in which questions are designed and presented during interviews to elicit specific responses. This format can greatly influence the flow of the conversation and the quality of information obtained from interviewees. Understanding various question formats is crucial for tailoring interviews to achieve desired outcomes, such as gathering in-depth insights or facilitating open dialogue.
Respondent engagement: Respondent engagement refers to the degree of participation and connection that interviewees feel during an interview process. High levels of engagement can lead to richer, more authentic responses, as participants feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences. This engagement is influenced by various factors, including the interview style, the rapport established between the interviewer and the respondent, and the overall atmosphere of the interview setting.
Semi-structured interview: A semi-structured interview is a qualitative data collection method that combines the flexibility of open-ended questions with the guidance of a predetermined set of questions. This approach allows for in-depth exploration of participants' responses while maintaining a focus on specific topics, making it an effective tool for gathering rich, detailed information in research.
Social issue documentaries: Social issue documentaries are films that focus on societal challenges and injustices, aiming to raise awareness and provoke discussions among viewers. These documentaries often explore topics like poverty, human rights, environmental issues, and systemic discrimination, providing a platform for marginalized voices and highlighting the impact of these issues on individuals and communities. The storytelling approach in these documentaries can vary, influencing how the audience engages with the subject matter.
Structured interview: A structured interview is a data collection method where the interviewer asks a set of predetermined questions in a specific order, allowing for standardized responses that can be easily compared across different subjects. This approach ensures consistency and reliability in responses, making it easier to analyze the data collected. By following a strict format, the interviewer minimizes bias and maintains focus on the research objectives.
Time efficiency: Time efficiency refers to the ability to accomplish tasks within a set timeframe while maximizing productivity and minimizing wasted time. In the context of interviews, it emphasizes getting the most valuable information from subjects in a streamlined manner, allowing for effective use of both the interviewer’s and the interviewee’s time.
Unstructured interview: An unstructured interview is a flexible and open-ended method of gathering qualitative data, where the interviewer has the freedom to ask questions based on the responses of the interviewee. This style allows for a natural flow of conversation, enabling the interviewer to explore topics in depth and adjust the direction of the interview as it unfolds. It emphasizes rapport and understanding, making it particularly useful for delving into complex issues and personal experiences.
Vox pops: Vox pops, short for 'vox populi,' are informal interviews conducted in public spaces to gather spontaneous opinions from a diverse range of people. This technique is often used in documentaries to capture authentic responses and reflect the views of the general public on various issues. By integrating vox pops into a narrative, filmmakers can add depth and representational diversity, making the content more relatable and engaging.