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?"
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
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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. 👍🏽
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 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
@@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
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.
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.
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 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.
📸 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👊
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!
Even without an outro, still a spot-on message. Thank you for taking the time to do that!!
Haha!
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
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.
One of the most beneficial videos for documentary filmmakers.
“You better be giving them some darn eye contact” super good advice.
Excellent, Mark. Really appreciate your YT channel.
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
📷 glad to be part of the art of documentary!
yess!! so glad to have you on board!
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?"
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
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!
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 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!!
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.
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.
😂
Hi I’m a freelance filmmaker and I have worked in at PBS I really enjoyed your work and ways your teach filmmaking
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.
Success is built on fundamentals.
I'm working on my first documentary and your videos are life. PRICELESS
🙏🏻
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!
im doing my first ever interview soon and this lifted so much preasure off my shoulders. thank you.
This is really great advice man!
Excellent video, thanks! Pre interviews are super helpful, but it can be a fine line with how deep you go for sure.
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!
made it to the end. loved it.
Made it to the end. Loved it! Wish you made the list available somewhere for us to carry with us on set.
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
Made it to the end! Thanks for great tips!
Thanks for watching man!!
I made it to the end. It's educative. I'm going to implore such knowledge in my documentary production
Thanks. Mr Bone.
Right to end... of course!! Thanks mate, great tips as always 🤙🏻
my love language is people who finish my videos :) thanks for the love!
This video was super helpful, thank you!
It was like an extremely useful film
Nice Jim Jarmusch cap 👌
had to google that
Your lighting is incredible. Very impressed with your/your gaffer’s skills. Thanks for this video. Watching it for lighting inspiration. Great info.
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 :)
Great tips. Thank you 🙏
Thank you.
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. 👍🏽
That was a baller outro.
baller
Wonderful video, thank you. Especially the part about making it a real conversation is something I feel as well with every single interview.
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 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
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!
Tip #8: Remember to record an outro.
Seriously though, super useful tips here. Great stuff as always, Mark!
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 always come here to get inspired. Love your work! Greetings from Brazil.
🙏🏻🇧🇷
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
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!
Bro, you are such an inspiration to me. Much love from Zimbabwe
thank you Carlo!!
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've just recently discovered your channel, but you can be sure I always make it to the end of your videos. Thanks.
Thanks for always keep me reminded on the inportant tips!
💯
Had to watch that twice. Thanks Mark
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
I love the ending
Been using these tips on myself for my own docuseries, "For Everyone Acting Real"
This is good bro. Well done we'll said. Quality content and advice
📷 emotive questions was so helpful. thank you
🙏🏻
@@markbone 😘
Dang, that interview cutaway at 1:50 really had me tearing up
These tips are beyond helpful. Thank you Mark!
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.
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!
Wow it is so good, I love your points. My team will start an interview channel next year, thank you for your video.
Amazing tips, coming across this page was a blessing
Super helpful - thank you! I made it to the end lol
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 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 :)
I like this video.
I am going to do a couple of interviews. Your video is very useful.
Priceless tips. Thanks!
Just found your channel, and happy I did! Sometimes bc of time constraints, I fall into the first trap. Good to relearn this advice.
I love the vibes of your videos, you have been a great instructor for me starting my film journey. 🙌 Thxs so much! 📷
Right on point Mark, superb 👌🏻
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!
That outro is dope !
really good information...succinct, well presented and all are valuable points...also love the look of your work
Love this. Thank you.
Solid points thanks Mark, my tip would be 'be genuine and have real interest'
I taped a piece of gaff tape over the red light on my BMDPC4K so people don't see the red light.. it helps a lot, the red light scares people ..
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!
Made it ! 😊
Matti Haapoja sent me here💪🏻📸
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Man, such good advice, thank you!!
Thank you for this. (No Outro!)
Yo, yo, yo, what's up my boi!?! We made it to the end!
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 😊
Thank you for sharing this video
always going to watch till the end- can u also show how to do a nice interview setup
🙏🏻
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.
Budddyyy this was so great thanks a lot. Mighty helpful.
Just watching Matty’s video! So stoked to see ur at 100k - congrats m8!
I laughed at the story blocks read when you mentioned elevating your videos ( name of the gym) I love the pre interview idea !
Hahaha at the outro comment. This was sooo good thank you!!
📸 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👊
So I was wondering when you would put out another video. Very compelling.
🙏🏻
hey man! thank you, help a lot...