Documentary Interviews: Tips for Capturing Authentic Stories

by Monica Takushi Lee

We often tell people that filmmaking is an iterative process: “There’s the film you write, the film you shoot, and the film you edit.” Nowhere is this more apparent than in documentary interviews, where the art of storytelling unfolds in real time.

At Skalawag, we take a structured yet flexible approach to interviews—starting with pre-interviews, crafting pre-scripts, conducting on-camera interviews, and then shaping the final story with an edit script. (For a deep dive into how we script our documentaries, check out my previous article on story producing.)

But today, I want to focus on what happens in the moment: how to conduct an interview that captures powerful, natural, and deeply human soundbites.

Preparation: The Power of the Pre-Interview

Whenever possible, we do a pre-interview—often over Zoom—to get to know our subject, build rapport, and understand the key elements of their story. This isn’t just for us; it helps them, too. Talking through their experiences beforehand gives them a chance to make sense of their narrative and practice expressing it.

Many interviewees ask for a list of questions in advance. While this seems helpful, we prefer not to provide a rigid question list. Over-preparing can lead to memorized, robotic responses, stripping away the authenticity we strive for. Instead, we may share a general list of topics, reminding them that the conversation will be fluid and organic. The goal is to create a space where they feel comfortable, not caught off guard.

Creating a Comfortable Environment

Being on camera is nerve-wracking, even for the most seasoned speakers. The energy you bring as an interviewer directly impacts their performance. Before I step into an interview, I do what I can to be fully present—I might meditate, practice qigong, or simply take a few deep breaths. When I walk into that room, my focus is on making the subject feel heard and valued.

During the interview, I amplify my non-verbal cues—nodding, smiling, and engaging with my eyes—to reassure them that I’m listening. And I make it a point to give positive reinforcement. If someone is being especially clear, authentic, or charismatic, I tell them. Reflecting their essence back to them boosts their confidence and puts them at ease.

The Art of Asking Questions

Many interviewers make the mistake of sticking too rigidly to a list of questions. A good interview should feel like a conversation, not a checklist. I come in prepared, knowing the themes we need to hit, but I also leave space for unexpected moments. Some of the best soundbites come from organic follow-up questions that dig deeper into something intriguing they just said. If you’re too focused on your notes, you might miss those magic moments.

One simple but crucial trick: Have your subject rephrase your question in their answer. For example, instead of:

Interviewer: "What do you love about Argyle Street?"

Interviewee: "The food, the culture, the people."

Encourage a full response:

Interviewee: "What I love about Argyle Street is the food, the culture, and the people."

This small tweak ensures the final edit has complete, standalone thoughts rather than disjointed fragments.

I also ask people to avoid phrases like "Like I said" or "As we talked about earlier." Everything should feel fresh to the audience, even if we've covered it before.

Making Space for Better Answers

If an answer feels too long or unfocused, don’t be afraid to ask them to try again. Reflect back to them what parts you heard that felt important to the story, and ask them to try again now that they've gathered their thoughts. Most people will naturally refine their response on the second try.

Beyond the Questions: The Importance of Transitions

Over the years I've learned that one of the most overlooked aspects of interviewing is narrative transitions. If you’re only thinking in terms of isolated questions, you may end up with great individual answers but no natural flow from one topic to the next. I listen closely for how someone moves from one idea to another, and if a transition is missing, I find ways to gently guide them toward it.

Staying Present & Connected

Oftentimes when you're interviewing, you have a million other priorities you're managing at the same time - you want to make sure you get the right sound bites, that you don't go over on time, that you remember crucial things the talent is saying. And while it is understandable to want to stay glued to your notes or the clock, this can come across to the talent like you're distracted and not listening to them. Remember - being on camera is a very vulnerable experience for most people. My advice is to delegate certain tasks such as note taking or time checking to a fellow producer, PA, or even the DP if they're available so that I am able to stay fully present.

This isn’t just about courtesy—it’s about creating an environment where people feel safe enough to share their truth. When someone feels truly heard, they open up in ways that can be deeply moving and unexpected.

Final Takeaways

At the end of the day, great interviews are about human connection.

1. Know the story you’re trying to tell, but be open to where it might lead.
2. Help your subject feel comfortable, seen, and valued.
3. Listen actively and engage with your whole presence.
4. Prioritize conversation over rigid Q&A.
5. Guide them toward full, natural soundbites that work in the edit.

Interviewing isn’t just about gathering content—it’s about honoring someone’s story. Every interview I conduct makes me a better storyteller and a better human. It’s a privilege to sit across from someone, listen deeply, and help bring their experiences to life.

Want to see these principles in action? Check out some of our work at Skalawag Productions. And if you’re looking for a team that knows how to capture the heart of a story, let’s talk.