The Art of Interviews: 6 Tips for Video Podcasts & Documentaries

Hi, I’m Erin Shaw, Program Manager of the TELUS STORYHIVE Voices and Video Podcast programs. Whether you’re hosting a video podcast, creating a documentary or conducting on-camera interviews, strong interview skills can make all the difference. In this post, I’ll share six essential tips to help you capture compelling and authentic conversations for your next project. Let’s dive in!

Interviewing is an art — the key to a great interview is making your subject feel comfortable so they can open up naturally. When done right, interviews can reveal powerful stories, genuine emotions and meaningful insights. Here’s how to ensure you get the most engaging and authentic responses.

1. Have a Pre-Interview Call

Before you even sit down for the interview, have a quick phone call with your subject. This is your chance to establish a friendly connection and let them know that you’re on their side. Use this time to briefly outline the types of questions you’ll be asking, but don’t give them the exact wording. You want their responses to be natural, not scripted.

2. Make the Interview Setting Comfortable

When the day of the interview arrives, make sure your subject feels at ease. Offer them water, set them up in a comfortable chair and reassure them that this is more of a conversation than a formal interview. Let them know they can redo answers if they want — this helps take the pressure off.

3. Start Recording Before the Official Interview

Get the camera rolling early, even before the official interview starts and engage in some chit chat. Your interviewee may provide some great insights when you're just shooting the breeze.

4. Ask Warm-Up Questions

Before diving into the meat of the interview, ease into the conversation with casual warm-up questions like “What did you do last night?” or “What did you have for breakfast?” This gets them talking and shaking off any nerves.

5. Summarize Long Answers

If your interviewee gives a long-winded answer, try summarizing it in your own words and then pausing. More often than not, they’ll restate their response in a more concise and natural way, especially if they feel you understood them correctly.

6. Repeat the First Two Questions at the End

By the end of the interview, your subject will likely feel much more relaxed and confident. That’s why it’s a great idea to repeat your first couple of questions. Their second attempt will almost always be stronger and more natural than their initial response.

Now that we’ve discussed how to conduct a killer interview, do you feel inspired to create your next short documentary film, episodic series or video podcast? Explore the current and upcoming STORYHIVE programs that might just fund your next big idea.