9.2 Types of Interview Styles and Their Applications

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

• Expert 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, active listening, and the ability to create a comfortable and trusting environment for the interviewee to share their story openly and authentically