Here's how you can enhance media production interviews with storytelling.

I always start with a 'pre-interview.' No cameras or microphones, just a discussion. This helps me craft questions that create a natural flow. I send the questions to the interviewee a few days before filming and encourage them to add any questions they'd like to be asked in order to bring out different elements in the story. I do, however, tell them NOT to create a script for themselves to answer every question. Reading a script disrupts authenticity. A few dots points can help jog memory without impacting flow.

Think about comfort. Interviewees are often nervous and begin closed, so easing them into the more difficult topics is important. You have full control to re-order in the edit, so think hard about experience of the human being you are recording. Start with easy questions that built comfort and trust. Then as you ease into an open dialogue, you will be on a stronger footing to enter more challenging topics.

Storytelling naturally draws in viewers, making the interview more captivating and memorable. When interviewees share personal anecdotes or experiences, it creates a connection with the audience, fostering empathy and understanding. Storytelling allows interviewees to break down complex ideas into relatable narratives, making them easier to understand and remember. Through storytelling, interviewees can showcase their personality, values, and motivations beyond their professional roles. Stories can be used to emphasize key messages or takeaways from the interview. By incorporating storytelling into production interviews, interviewees can ensure that their message stays with the audience long after the interview is over.

Como productor audiovisual con 15 años de experiencia, puedo confirmar y acertar que hay que involucrar la pasión y el amor que envuelve la palabra del entrevistado, no solo se trata de tener preguntas preparadas con anterioridad si no involucrar y tomarse muy enserio este conocimiento que se va a compartir en una historia audiovisual, saber quién es esta persona teniendo un contacto previo y hablar de temas cotidianos como el deporte, su familia, inclusive hablar del espacio donde hace sus actividades diarias, permite una conexión más honesta y hace que el entrevistado tenga mayor seguridad y propiedad en sus respuestas haciendo que sean más naturales y sinceras, entonces su gestos mirada y palabra se vuelven en una sola.

I usually talk to them days before the shoot about why they want to produce the video, what they want to accomplish and that helps me to draft some generic questions. I ask then to think the response to the questions but I ask then to not memorize anything. During interview, I just have conversation around those topics and dig deep to find those passions and values if I am creating a story of the brand. Of course this way, my captured media ends up being way too long but then I do get very authentic tic responses—responses they haven’t memorized but they spoke because they got in touch with their own passions, values, purpose.

My goal is to keep the interview subject at ease and always give feedback que’s after they’re done with an answer or statement. This helps the subject know you’re listening and engaged with what they’re talking about. I’m also always open to springboard off their response with a new question even if it’s unplanned, you never know what you can get. I’ve shaped entire videos off of the answers to unplanned questions!

In media production, where interviews form the backbone of many stories, the ability to listen deeply and attentively is as crucial as crafting the questions themselves. Furthermore, listening fosters trust and empathy, making interviewees feel valued and respected. I am of this opinion that listening is not just a passive act but a vital storytelling tool in media production interviews. It fosters a richer, more authentic narrative by unlocking deeper insights, building trust, and creating an atmosphere of empathy. Listening transforms interviews into powerful storytelling experiences that resonate emotionally with audiences, elevating the overall quality of media production.

Aktives Zuhören ist für mich wie eine Entdeckungsreise. Und das A und O der Interviewführung. Wenn Sie wirklich zuhören, verstehen Sie nicht nur das Gesagte, sondern erkennen auch die Zwischentöne. Sie entdecken die kleinen Stolperer oder das leise Zögern. Das sind oft die Momente, die das Interview lebendig machen. Wenn jemand kurz innehält oder nachdenkt, kann ein Einfaches „Erzählen Sie mir mehr darüber“ ein Gespräch plötzlich auf eine tiefere Ebene bringen. Es entsteht dann ein echter Dialog, keine Einbahnstraße von Fragen und Antworten.

Creating a mutual environment for the interviewee is also very important especially to the source who is not familiar with you, should make him/likes you by handling her or him is lovely way to put out more from the source

Be present and attentive. This means maintaining eye contact, nodding in acknowledgment, and refraining from interrupting. Utilize paraphrasing to confirm comprehension, which demonstrates that you value their perspective. Asking open-ended questions can further invite elaboration, allowing for a richer narrative exploration. These techniques can transform a simple exchange into a powerful storytelling opportunity.

I find that the emotional arc is shaped in the editing, based on mostly non-linear responses. I find if you work too hard to try and have everything linear during the interview, you prevent yourself from allowing the subject to speak naturally wherever their mind feels compelled to go. The goal for me is to have the most interesting conversation possible, even if that means they’re speaking out of order. It’s my job as an editor to form that linear story in the edit.

The emotional arc in storytelling is vital to media production interviews, as it guides the audience through highs, lows, and pivotal moments, creating a deeper connection with the story. By shaping an emotional journey, interviews resonate more with viewers, making the narrative memorable and engaging. An emotional arc helps to humanize the interviewee, showcasing their vulnerability and growth, which brings authenticity to the story and keeps the audience invested. In essence, an effective emotional arc turns raw interviews into compelling, emotionally impactful storytelling experiences.

For me, emotional arc comes when interviewee is able to speak honestly. Wayne do that is that simply talk to them on camera. In few minutes, they forget that they are on camera and they start talking. As conversation goes deep, they start speaking from their deepest passions and values. And that is where I get the meat of my story — their genuine, organic, authentic response that comes from heart. And of course, then I I have to spend time in editing to delete extraneous stuff and use only the relevant.

Der (emotionale) Bogen in einem Interview ist wie das Rückgrat einer guten Geschichte. Es geht darum, den Gesprächspartner mitzunehmen, aber auch die Zuschauer oder Zuhörer emotional einzubinden. Ein Interview, das Höhen und Tiefen abbildet, weckt Mitgefühl und echtes Interesse. Ich finde, ein gutes Interview sollte wie eine Reise sein: Es beginnt bei den einfachen Fragen, wird emotionaler und endet mit einem Moment, der im Gedächtnis bleibt – als würde man die Gedanken des Interviewten auf einer Landkarte nachverfolgen können.

The emotional arc refers to the journey that characters or interview subjects go through within a narrative, revealing their feelings, motivations, and transformations. Recognizing this arc allows interviewers to ask deeper questions that resonate more meaningfully with their subjects. By acknowledging the emotional beats of a story, interviewers can empathetically engage with their subjects. This approach not only helps build rapport but also encourages the interviewee to share more poignant and personal insights. When an interviewee feels understood, they can express their experiences more freely, leading to a richer narrative.

I’ve always been of the less is more mindset when it comes to the bells and whistles of visuals in editing. Strategically placed b-roll is your most important asset, with graphics and text effects supporting the narrative when used sparingly. I’ve seen too many videos that rely too heavily on the graphic effects to wow the audience, while preventing the original meat of the narrative to really shine just as it is.

Bilder, die eine Geschichte untermalen, sind wie kleine Fenster, die uns direkt ins Erlebte blicken lassen. Eine gut gewählte Szene oder ein persönliches Foto kann so viel mehr sagen als Worte. Für mich wird ein Interview dann richtig packend, wenn visuelle Elemente das Gesagte zum Leben erwecken – sei es ein altes Familienfoto, das eine Geschichte von Verlust und Liebe erzählt, oder eine Aufnahme des Ortes, an dem eine wichtige Entscheidung fiel. Solche Bilder bieten uns als Publikum ein echtes „Mit-dabei-sein“-Gefühl.

À l'ère des réseaux sociaux et avec l’attention très limitée de la nouvelle génération, il est essentiel de captiver dès les premières secondes. Ce que j’ai remarqué dans l’évolution visuelle actuelle, c’est que les gens parviennent à percevoir les subtilités de l’image, les frames cachés, les symboles et le jeu de transitions qu’un monteur peut créer. Cette nouvelle génération est visuellement plus attentive et remarque des détails que les générations précédentes avaient du mal à percevoir.

Choosing my music track from the very beginning of the edit helps get me into the flow of the edit and “tells me” where to place the right shots and time the right cuts. Choosing the right music track is an extremely instinctual and subjective part of the editing process that can really make or break how your video is perceived. 95% of the time the music track I chose from the start of the edit is the same one when it’s finished. Music is so powerful and important to my editing process.

Sprechen wir mal über das, was nach dem Interview passiert: Ein Interview zu schneiden ist ein bisschen wie eine gute Geschichte zu schreiben – man entscheidet, was bleibt und was weggelassen wird. Ohne Aussage oder Aussagekraft zu ändern. Für mich macht ein gut bearbeitetes Interview aus, dass man das Gefühl hat, mittendrin zu sein, ohne dass das Wesentliche verloren geht. Ich finde es besonders spannend, beim Schneiden diese „emotionalen Beats“ zu suchen: die kleinen Momente, in denen sich die Geschichte wendet oder neue Tiefen erreicht. Ein präziser Schnitt kann den Unterschied zwischen einem Interview, das „okay“ ist, und einem, das wirklich nachhallt, ausmachen.

One thing i have found helpful is to remember we are nothing else but humble mirrors that provide a glimpse of someone else’s reality to the world. With that in mind we will not lose the essence… the truth of what we are trying to portray. Avoiding to stain in with our own reality.

Before every shoot, I connect with the interviewee to uncover their story from their own perspective. This helps us craft a flow that makes the story more engaging and authentic. Plus, it helps them feel relaxed and comfortable on camera.