Conducting successful interviews is an essential part of almost any non-fiction storytellers’ work: the stories you tell are only as good as the information you uncover. In this full-day course, you will learn and practice how to develop, structure, and formulate questions to get richer, more engaging responses from your interview subjects.
This course is designed for those working in podcasting, documentary film, or other strands of non-fiction storytelling/media who want to train their interview skills and master the art of interviewing. Here, you’ll uncover how to research a subject, prepare the interviewee, and create structure for an effective interview. The foundation for this course is hands-on instruction, offering students the opportunity to hone and sharpen their techniques in a supporting, constructive environment.
The instructor for this day-long workshop is Iris Mansour, who has written and produced viral stories for Bustle, The Guardian, and Mashable, among others.
CURRICULUM PLAN:
The morning starts with a group exercise, followed by a conversation about the principals of interviewing.
In the afternoon, you will do several pair and group exercises to practice your interview skills. You will also examine how to prepare for an interview and create a rapport.
The day ends with a recap to share what you have learned and discuss any challenges you are currently experiencing in your own projects.
What You Will Learn
Practice your interview skills with a seasoned instructor.
Review the core principals to conduct any kind of interview.
Learn best-practices for researching your subjects
Hone the phrasing and tone of your questions for maximum effect.
Plan and structure your interview to obtain thoughtful, richer answers.