Telling my subjects to talk as if they are writing a novel - making statements rather than answering questions. I always ask them to “describe” the topics, such as “describe your perception of this event.”
Keep your camera rolling before and after the actual interview. There's a chance they may say something before or after your formal conversation that might be worth adding.
Let people talk and don't interrupt them, even when you feel like they're done. Wait until they really look to you for questions, and even then, take 5 seconds before you start asking again.
Let the conversation flow - don't move on to the next question right after the person in front of you answers the last question. Those short, silent gaps between the questions are very important, they create a place where something that wasn't said before can be said.
The 'pregnant pause' is my tip! Use it often, with genuine integrity and interest for the person being interviewed. I'm pretty sure I learnt that from you Mark. It has allowed my subjects to open up and open up some more and then to open up even more!
Did a lot of Radio Interviews for about 13 years and Video Interviews later for another 5 years. Only can sign every word you said. Especially the part about eye contact and not reading questions. Great video, love it
I know it's been a while since you posted this, but I will vouch for every one of these tips. I've posted before about my prior career in journalism, and the mentors I had taught me all of this. Lots of on-the-job training and practice was also involved. Learn a little bit about a lot of things so you can practice being a conversationalist. My tip for those that might still be finding this video: stay as quiet as possible. Instead of verbal acknowledgement, just nod your head. Bonus tip: when you've run out of questions, ask "Is there anything I haven't asked you about that you wanted to share?"
Hands down the BEST INTERVIEW tips video you can find Mark, the vast majority of other videos mostly talk about the lighting or the camera etc but no one is teaching the "under the hood" aspects of interviews. Awesome awesome video man!
Listening to this before filming an interview. Thanks! helps so much and definitely shows in your work! Beauty in the Battle has got to be a spilling moment
These are great insights. One trick I have learned is taking my questions and starting each one with "tell me about" and it gets their brains to naturally tell a story. Remove the question mark from the questions. This helps it feel like a conversation as you so beautifully spoke about.
That short moment at the 📸 gave me the most insight on how you craft your own vlogs. love seeing those moments. fantastic tips and great peek into how you operate behind the lens
Great advice! I think one big thing a lot of people miss IMO is following up! It’s a conversation and good conversation has a flow. If they say something you want to dive into more detail about or you are just curious ask them about it, throw in more detail, follow up on what they said specially showing that you are listening and understanding them enough to respond naturally. Also be careful about #5, I can’t tell you how many people I’ve captured during interviews get flustered when told to “infer” the question and respond as if I’m not there. It’s better but also a lot harder, to for us on asking non-leading questions or questions with simple 1 word answers. Avoid the yes or no question and try to have a conversation instead. That way you can use follow ups to find that context again if it’s missing or just come back to it after a thread of the conversation stalls. I’d rather repeat the question when they are relaxed than just throw it all back in the mix when things are flowing.
Hi Mark. Thank you for making these tips. I've done lots of interviews, and was shopping for gear (sliders and lamps), when I saw this. I was kind of expecting to hear about gear, and your advice totally reminded me to keep focus on my style. cheers
Watching this makes me think the Documentary course I did in film school worth with its weight in Gold. It almost makes me wonder if you were in my classes hahahaha, or on the board for writing the curriculum. They taught us the same way you are teaching us right now. Your stuff is quality definitely high, and all of this combined gives me those ah ha! moments. Great work every time, I really appreciate all of this work put in over the years Mark! Blessings!
Yes! This is wonderfully said. I'll be shooting a couple story films in the next month so this was a pleasant reminder! Sometimes hitting record and then sitting down to have small talk before the official questions helps the whole setup feel a little more relaxed.
I think number 4 is probably the most important. I remember when I first started making videos, I was super conscious of the camera and I was scared to look at it. I can't imagine how it is for someone in a documentary style position where the camera is there in conjunction with a crew or other people around. I also think that when people are comfortable they say and open up more. Thanks for these tips Mark 🤙
That outro was the outro! Enjoyed this! Been focusing on interviewing at least 1 person a month during 2021 to improve my skills. My additional tip is to ask why at least 2-3 times. It helps get past what the person thinks they should say to what they are feeling on a deeper level and that’s where the magic happens. 👍🏽
it's been only 3 days I`m watching your videos, and I already learned a lot! I`m taking notes of everything and can't wait to go put it on practice. Learning from you is the same feelling when we buy a new gear, we get so excited and just want to go shoot.
I literally had to coach my interviewer these very EXACT tips last year when she was "interviewing" our subject. She had the right idea, but she thought she was Oprah Winfrey on Oprah. Had to remind her - "You and your voice won't be on camera." Threw off her game big time and well... She went off on a tangent with the interview 😭 What surprises me is how this was not common sense. But, I shouldn't be judgemental
This is one of those skills that i think is so important for young filmmakers like myself. Thank you for teaching on this and not just how to film cool broll!
📸 thanks for sharing these tips! I have my first interview set up to shoot this weekend, and I feel like this really helped me to learn some things the easy way👊
Who cares about an outro when you've been dropping pure gems for 8 minutes!! This video is a crash course, I'm going to be projecting it to my film students.
Thank you Mark. Very good infos and a superb video. Another good tip might be to film them in a surrounding that brings emotion from itself. Something they can relate to. So at best, film them at their place not yours.
I love all of your points. I've found it helpful to emphasize the conversational aspect. Like you said, when they can focus more on just having a conversation and less about the "filming production" you get some much more out of the interviewer and the interview as a whole!
This was soo useful!! Thank you Mark. I've got my first solo interview coming up (luckily, just a passion project w a friend) and will definitely be using these tips.
Sick outro bro, maybe your best yet...One interview tip I have is don't be afraid to ask unscripted questions, we shot a talking head spot for a foundation and all three of the people we interviewed basically gave us the same answers. The foundation director had prepared the questions and all of them walked in with rehearsed answers. So I asked follow up questions, or unrelated questions just to get a conversation going. It worked really well, even though their answers were rehearsed they felt more natural because they were often coming after me asking something totally unexpected.
Danny you are the Man !! The best one I have ever seen. Such a detailed and apt description about how to shoot a great conversation which turns to be a great interview with a human touch. Thanks bro
My corporate interviewees aren't going to know whats hit them after these tips. Start off discussing quarterly reviews and within five minutes got them opening up about their childhood memories.
Two years later and thi is still sage advice! #5 is key but how do you get them to remember this once they comfortable with you and they are just having a conversation. I struggle with keeping the interview flowing when I have to remind them but it relates back to thinking about the edit.
@@markbone Most of my courses are at diyvideoschool.com but I was specifically talking about this program of mine I launched last a couple years ago: www.calebwojcikfilms.com/filmmaker-accelerator
📷 I'd love to see the BTS of the interviews. That's why I'm more interested in seeing photographers interact with models/subjects (non professionals I mean) for portraits. Same with interviews for documentaries. The way you connect with the person in front of the camera is 90% if no more of the success of that photo or video. Doesn't matter if everything is perfectly lit and that if the subject appears empty or away.
![[#2024MAMA] ROSÉ (로제), Bruno Mars - APT. | Mnet 241122 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dgGqD28J6aQ/mqdefault.jpg)
What are your interview tips?
Telling my subjects to talk as if they are writing a novel - making statements rather than answering questions. I always ask them to “describe” the topics, such as “describe your perception of this event.”
Keep your camera rolling before and after the actual interview. There's a chance they may say something before or after your formal conversation that might be worth adding.
Let people talk and don't interrupt them, even when you feel like they're done. Wait until they really look to you for questions, and even then, take 5 seconds before you start asking again.
Let the conversation flow - don't move on to the next question right after the person in front of you answers the last question. Those short, silent gaps between the questions are very important, they create a place where something that wasn't said before can be said.
@@JimmyXie yes! i always ask my people to "describe what it was like in that moment? what was going through your head"
i love your interview setups
Thanks brother 🙏🏻 I could have used you on my last doc 😬😬
Hooked on your channel these days Danny
Danny!!!! I literally binge watched all of your videos -- such good work, man!
That upstage lighting though 🙌🏻
The way you shoot the interviews in hanheld mode is amazing. So dramatic. It makes you feel inside of the story.
thanks man!! it;s my signature :)
Couldn’t agree more!
@@markbone ..but how do you do that awesome camerawork, at those crazy angles, while looking them in the eye?
@@stiknpoke he doesn't, i think. when he is filming handheld, someone else is interviewing the subject. You can see that at some point in the video.
The 'pregnant pause' is my tip! Use it often, with genuine integrity and interest for the person being interviewed. I'm pretty sure I learnt that from you Mark. It has allowed my subjects to open up and open up some more and then to open up even more!
Did a lot of Radio Interviews for about 13 years and Video Interviews later for another 5 years. Only can sign every word you said. Especially the part about eye contact and not reading questions. Great video, love it
Even without an outro, still a spot-on message. Thank you for taking the time to do that!!
Haha!
One of the most beneficial videos for documentary filmmakers.
Excellent, Mark. Really appreciate your YT channel.
I know it's been a while since you posted this, but I will vouch for every one of these tips. I've posted before about my prior career in journalism, and the mentors I had taught me all of this. Lots of on-the-job training and practice was also involved. Learn a little bit about a lot of things so you can practice being a conversationalist.
My tip for those that might still be finding this video: stay as quiet as possible. Instead of verbal acknowledgement, just nod your head.
Bonus tip: when you've run out of questions, ask "Is there anything I haven't asked you about that you wanted to share?"
Fantastic tips here, some we already use, the rest we will definitely now do from now on! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful! thanks man
Hands down the BEST INTERVIEW tips video you can find Mark, the vast majority of other videos mostly talk about the lighting or the camera etc but no one is teaching the "under the hood" aspects of interviews. Awesome awesome video man!
Listening to this before filming an interview. Thanks! helps so much and definitely shows in your work! Beauty in the Battle has got to be a spilling moment
These are great insights. One trick I have learned is taking my questions and starting each one with "tell me about" and it gets their brains to naturally tell a story. Remove the question mark from the questions. This helps it feel like a conversation as you so beautifully spoke about.
“You better be giving them some darn eye contact” super good advice.
Mark thank you for the content. I’m a huge fan of your interview style. I love seeing the emotion your subjects share on screen.
This is the third time I'm watching this since it was first published and I still find pearls. I can't wait for the AOD course to start already
Yeaasss!! Cannot wait to have you a part of the course!!
im doing my first ever interview soon and this lifted so much preasure off my shoulders. thank you.
Excellent video, thanks! Pre interviews are super helpful, but it can be a fine line with how deep you go for sure.
That short moment at the 📸 gave me the most insight on how you craft your own vlogs. love seeing those moments. fantastic tips and great peek into how you operate behind the lens
Your lighting is incredible. Very impressed with your/your gaffer’s skills. Thanks for this video. Watching it for lighting inspiration. Great info.
Great advice! I think one big thing a lot of people miss IMO is following up! It’s a conversation and good conversation has a flow. If they say something you want to dive into more detail about or you are just curious ask them about it, throw in more detail, follow up on what they said specially showing that you are listening and understanding them enough to respond naturally. Also be careful about #5, I can’t tell you how many people I’ve captured during interviews get flustered when told to “infer” the question and respond as if I’m not there. It’s better but also a lot harder, to for us on asking non-leading questions or questions with simple 1 word answers. Avoid the yes or no question and try to have a conversation instead. That way you can use follow ups to find that context again if it’s missing or just come back to it after a thread of the conversation stalls. I’d rather repeat the question when they are relaxed than just throw it all back in the mix when things are flowing.
Yes 100 percent. This is a game-changer.
Hi Mark. Thank you for making these tips.
I've done lots of interviews, and was shopping for gear (sliders and lamps), when I saw this. I was kind of expecting to hear about gear, and your advice totally reminded me to keep focus on my style.
cheers
Made it to the end. Loved it! Wish you made the list available somewhere for us to carry with us on set.
Watching this makes me think the Documentary course I did in film school worth with its weight in Gold. It almost makes me wonder if you were in my classes hahahaha, or on the board for writing the curriculum. They taught us the same way you are teaching us right now. Your stuff is quality definitely high, and all of this combined gives me those ah ha! moments. Great work every time, I really appreciate all of this work put in over the years Mark! Blessings!
📷 glad to be part of the art of documentary!
yess!! so glad to have you on board!
I'm working on my first documentary and your videos are life. PRICELESS
🙏🏻
Yes! This is wonderfully said. I'll be shooting a couple story films in the next month so this was a pleasant reminder! Sometimes hitting record and then sitting down to have small talk before the official questions helps the whole setup feel a little more relaxed.
Hi I’m a freelance filmmaker and I have worked in at PBS I really enjoyed your work and ways your teach filmmaking
Success is built on fundamentals.
I made it to the end. Thank you for sharing your knowledge I hope I can apply this to a new project I’m starting. Wish me luck 😊
I think number 4 is probably the most important. I remember when I first started making videos, I was super conscious of the camera and I was scared to look at it. I can't imagine how it is for someone in a documentary style position where the camera is there in conjunction with a crew or other people around. I also think that when people are comfortable they say and open up more. Thanks for these tips Mark 🤙
Thanks brad! I loved doing this video :)
I did make it to the end and the outro was great was great even if you forgot to make one :)
Thank you for sharing this with us!
Wonderful video, thank you. Especially the part about making it a real conversation is something I feel as well with every single interview.
That outro was the outro! Enjoyed this! Been focusing on interviewing at least 1 person a month during 2021 to improve my skills. My additional tip is to ask why at least 2-3 times. It helps get past what the person thinks they should say to what they are feeling on a deeper level and that’s where the magic happens. 👍🏽
This is really great advice man!
it's been only 3 days I`m watching your videos, and I already learned a lot! I`m taking notes of everything and can't wait to go put it on practice. Learning from you is the same feelling when we buy a new gear, we get so excited and just want to go shoot.
I love the vibes of your videos, you have been a great instructor for me starting my film journey. 🙌 Thxs so much! 📷
dude you're so good it huts! Literally every single shot is movie grade epic. well done. So good to see real pro's getting the air time they deserve!
Just found your channel, and happy I did! Sometimes bc of time constraints, I fall into the first trap. Good to relearn this advice.
really good information...succinct, well presented and all are valuable points...also love the look of your work
Great valid points...its almost an art form in itself being able to ask questions and get sometimes a total stranger to open up especially on camera !
Thank you Richard 🙏🏻
I literally had to coach my interviewer these very EXACT tips last year when she was "interviewing" our subject. She had the right idea, but she thought she was Oprah Winfrey on Oprah. Had to remind her - "You and your voice won't be on camera." Threw off her game big time and well... She went off on a tangent with the interview 😭
What surprises me is how this was not common sense. But, I shouldn't be judgemental
so true. got to be careful your interviewer doesn't get lost in themselves.
This is one of those skills that i think is so important for young filmmakers like myself. Thank you for teaching on this and not just how to film cool broll!
I've just recently discovered your channel, but you can be sure I always make it to the end of your videos. Thanks.
📸 thanks for sharing these tips! I have my first interview set up to shoot this weekend, and I feel like this really helped me to learn some things the easy way👊
I always come here to get inspired. Love your work! Greetings from Brazil.
🙏🏻🇧🇷
These tips are beyond helpful. Thank you Mark!
Thanks for the great tips. You care genuinely about what you do and it shows. I hope that it will show for me as well. Much Love!
thank you! this is such a kind comment :)
That moment when you feel like it's a solid outro, and the thought feels complete. I think it worked in the end! This was definitely helpful info.
Thanks man. I think it’s my new outro
Right to end... of course!! Thanks mate, great tips as always 🤙🏻
my love language is people who finish my videos :) thanks for the love!
Who cares about an outro when you've been dropping pure gems for 8 minutes!! This video is a crash course, I'm going to be projecting it to my film students.
I like this video.
I am going to do a couple of interviews. Your video is very useful.
I've watched this video so many times in preparation for my mini doc coming up tomorrow. Really helpful!
Yes!!! Go crush it! You’re gonna do well 🙏🏻
@@markbone Shoot done, now off to the edit! Thanks Mark seriously love your stuff. Much love
Thank you Mark. Very good infos and a superb video. Another good tip might be to film them in a surrounding that brings emotion from itself. Something they can relate to. So at best, film them at their place not yours.
Thanks for always keep me reminded on the inportant tips!
💯
love it. Thanks for the tips. I've been shooting a ton of testimonials over the last year and will definitely apply these tips going forward.
that's awesome experience that you're getting to gain this year!
I love all of your points. I've found it helpful to emphasize the conversational aspect. Like you said, when they can focus more on just having a conversation and less about the "filming production" you get some much more out of the interviewer and the interview as a whole!
Some really useful advice - thank you for sharing! I'll be sure to consider all these suggestions for my next interview.
This was soo useful!! Thank you Mark.
I've got my first solo interview coming up (luckily, just a passion project w a friend) and will definitely be using these tips.
Wow it is so good, I love your points. My team will start an interview channel next year, thank you for your video.
Sick outro bro, maybe your best yet...One interview tip I have is don't be afraid to ask unscripted questions, we shot a talking head spot for a foundation and all three of the people we interviewed basically gave us the same answers. The foundation director had prepared the questions and all of them walked in with rehearsed answers. So I asked follow up questions, or unrelated questions just to get a conversation going. It worked really well, even though their answers were rehearsed they felt more natural because they were often coming after me asking something totally unexpected.
haha, it's my best outro yet. And yes your tip/experience is spot on!
Bro, you are such an inspiration to me. Much love from Zimbabwe
thank you Carlo!!
Love the song in the back, and once again man, the value you bring in your videos is phenomenal! 💯✔️🔥
i'm very picky about the music!
Great tips. The outro is better than any of my outros I’ve ever made.
Hahah 🤣
Thank you for making this. This is exactly what I teach to my students. You are a resource.
thank you Linda! Glad to hear it! appreciate you stopping by, hope I can a resource in anyway for your students
📷 Made it to the end! Thanks, Mark. I have some interviews coming up and your tips were all super helpful.
Danny you are the Man !! The best one I have ever seen. Such a detailed and apt description about how to shoot a great conversation which turns to be a great interview with a human touch. Thanks bro
Mark here 👋
@@markbone Sorry, Marked your words Mark!!
Love this kind of video!!! So much straight forward information... Thank you! Mark
I made it to the end. It's educative. I'm going to implore such knowledge in my documentary production
My corporate interviewees aren't going to know whats hit them after these tips. Start off discussing quarterly reviews and within five minutes got them opening up about their childhood memories.
😂
Solid points thanks Mark, my tip would be 'be genuine and have real interest'
Wow!! Amazing amazing tips. Thank you 🙏🏻
made it to the end. loved it.
New to your channel, Mark. Great information about interviews. So inspiring!
So I was wondering when you would put out another video. Very compelling.
🙏🏻
That was a baller outro.
baller
So thankful that you made this video. Super helpful tips !
This video was super helpful, thank you!
Always decluttering everything I know about Interview and always come to your video for refilling!! Super awesome!!
So glad!
This is exactly what I wanted thanks
A huge thanks for that video! I am in the middle of directing/shooting a short, indie documentary film and those tips may be a great help :)
thanks man! I hope these tips help!
@@markbone 🙏🏻
I laughed at the story blocks read when you mentioned elevating your videos ( name of the gym) I love the pre interview idea !
Made it to the end! Thanks for great tips!
Thanks for watching man!!
Right on point Mark, superb 👌🏻
Thank you so much! This really will help me with the pre-interview session
Thanks. Mr Bone.
Here because of Matti and I'm not disappointed!
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 welcome aboard!
Tip #8: Remember to record an outro.
Seriously though, super useful tips here. Great stuff as always, Mark!
Just watching Matty’s video! So stoked to see ur at 100k - congrats m8!
Amazing tips, coming across this page was a blessing
Two years later and thi is still sage advice! #5 is key but how do you get them to remember this once they comfortable with you and they are just having a conversation. I struggle with keeping the interview flowing when I have to remind them but it relates back to thinking about the edit.
The best info on RUclips. Thank you. 🙏🏼✨
Great summary of tips. Gonna share this with my freelancing students.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 you have course? Would love to see it!
@@markbone Most of my courses are at diyvideoschool.com but I was specifically talking about this program of mine I launched last a couple years ago: www.calebwojcikfilms.com/filmmaker-accelerator
📷
I'd love to see the BTS of the interviews. That's why I'm more interested in seeing photographers interact with models/subjects (non professionals I mean) for portraits. Same with interviews for documentaries. The way you connect with the person in front of the camera is 90% if no more of the success of that photo or video. Doesn't matter if everything is perfectly lit and that if the subject appears empty or away.
Hahahaha love the ending. Loved the whole video too!! Thanks man!
Made it to the end! This was extremely helpful, thanks Mark!
This is good bro. Well done we'll said. Quality content and advice
I have an interview coming up I think I'll use all these tips. Thanks for sharing my friend it was an awesome video.
Yes!! so glad it helped
Had to watch that twice. Thanks Mark
always going to watch till the end- can u also show how to do a nice interview setup
🙏🏻
This is the advice not taught in film school. Yes, all the rigor is needed no doubt, but where is the finesse? This some nice finesse Mark! :)