The Biggest Interview Mistakes Filmmakers Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Interviewing subjects is one of the most crucial elements of documentary and branded storytelling. The right questions and approach can unlock powerful, emotional moments that elevate your film. But interviewing is an art—one that takes time, practice, and preparation to master. Unfortunately, many filmmakers and content creators fall into common traps that weaken their interviews and limit the depth of their storytelling.
If you’re new to interviewing (or even if you’ve been doing it for years), avoiding these mistakes can help you capture more compelling material. Below are some of the biggest interview mistakes filmmakers make—and how to avoid them.
1. Not Doing Enough Research
It’s tempting to walk into an interview with a set of questions and let the conversation unfold naturally. But a lack of research will show—subjects can tell when you haven’t taken the time to understand their story. Worse, you might miss an opportunity to ask deeper, more specific questions that elicit real insights.
How to Avoid It:
Read up on your subject’s background, past interviews, and work.
Conduct a pre-interview over Zoom to get a sense of their story.
Develop tailored questions that go beyond surface-level responses.
2. Asking Leading Questions
A leading question pushes the subject toward a specific answer, limiting their ability to express their thoughts authentically. Instead of allowing them to share their experience naturally, leading questions put words in their mouth.
Example of a Leading Question:
“That must have been really difficult for you, right?”
Better Approach:
“Can you describe how you felt in that moment?”
How to Avoid It:
Ask open-ended questions that allow for a wide range of responses.
Use neutral language to encourage honest, organic answers.
3. Ignoring the Power of Silence
Many interviewers feel the need to fill every gap in the conversation, jumping in with another question as soon as their subject stops speaking. But some of the best moments come from what happens after a pause.
How to Avoid It:
When your subject finishes answering, count to five in your head before speaking.
Let moments of silence linger—people will often continue speaking to fill the gap, leading to deeper insights.
4. Forgetting to Build Rapport
Interview subjects are often nervous, especially if they aren’t used to being on camera. Jumping straight into deep or difficult questions without warming up can result in guarded, stiff answers.
How to Avoid It:
Start with casual, conversational questions before diving into heavier topics.
Make eye contact, nod, and react naturally to their responses to build trust.
Let them know they can pause, rephrase, or take their time.
5. Overlooking the Emotional Core of the Story
At the heart of every great interview is emotion. If you focus only on facts and timeline-based questions, you’ll miss the deeper human experience.
How to Avoid It:
Ask questions that encourage reflection, such as “How did that experience change you?”
Listen for moments when your subject hesitates or becomes emotional—those are cues to explore deeper.
Structure your interview so that you build toward the emotional moments, rather than starting with them.
6. Treating the Interview Like a Checklist
It’s easy to get caught up in a list of pre-written questions, ticking them off one by one. But rigidly following a script can make the conversation feel unnatural and prevent unexpected, organic moments from emerging.
How to Avoid It:
Prepare your questions, but stay flexible and follow the subject’s lead.
If they mention something interesting, go off-script and explore it further.
Treat the interview like a conversation, not an interrogation.
7. Neglecting the Environment
A great interview isn’t just about what’s said—it’s also about how the subject looks and feels. Poor lighting, loud background noise, or an uncomfortable setup can distract from the storytelling.
How to Avoid It:
Choose a quiet, controlled environment with minimal distractions.
Ensure your subject is seated comfortably and positioned well on camera.
Test your audio and lighting beforehand to prevent technical issues.
Get the Full Guide to Interviewing Like a Pro
Interviewing is a skill that takes time to refine, but avoiding these common mistakes will immediately improve the quality of your conversations and storytelling. If you want a step-by-step guide to researching subjects, crafting the right questions, and creating an environment where people feel comfortable opening up, check out The Ultimate Guide to Interviewing for Documentary & Branded Content.
📖 Download it now: and start capturing more powerful stories today!