*A behind-the-scenes look at how to get authentic, emotional, and impactful moments in donor and community stories*

I’ve never started an interview with someone who wasn’t a little nervous. That’s natural—most people aren’t used to sitting in front of a camera with lights and mics pointed at them, being asked to share personal, often emotional, stories.

I remember one interview in particular: a patient who had been through a long, frustrating journey just to get a proper diagnosis. When we first connected on a pre-interview call, and even during the first 20 minutes of our sit-down, he was composed and matter-of-fact. Not cold, just... guarded.

But as we kept talking, I started weaving in details we’d discussed earlier—facts about his story that showed I had really listened. The tone shifted. A quiet bond began to form. There was a moment when his voice caught and his eyes welled up—not because he was prompted to “be emotional,” but because the space felt safe enough for him to go there. It was a moment of catharsis.

That depth didn’t happen because I asked the perfect question. It happened because we built trust.

And that’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned after interviewing dozens of real people: if you want authentic, moving stories, your job isn’t to direct emotions—it’s to create the conditions where they can naturally surface.

Here’s how I approach it.

1. Prep Starts Before the Camera Rolls

Great interviews begin before anyone steps onto set. One of the most important steps is the pre-interview conversation. This is more than a box to check—it’s where you start to build connection.

These conversations are low-stakes. No camera. No crew. Just a simple call to get to know the person and learn what they’re comfortable sharing. I listen for emotional threads, memories that still carry weight, and ways they naturally tell their story.

But more than anything, this call is about showing them that they’re not just a subject—they’re a partner in the storytelling process.

A few things I always try to do:

Explain what to expect – Who will be there, what the setup looks like, how long it takes.
Remove the pressure to “perform” – Let them know there are no wrong answers.
Ask what’s off-limits – Respecting boundaries builds trust.

When someone feels prepared, they can start to feel safe. And that safety creates space for honesty.

2. The Environment Matters More Than You Think

By the time someone sits down for the interview, the smallest details can make a big difference.

Where they sit, how many people are in the room, whether they’re making direct eye contact with the interviewer or looking into a lens—all of this shapes their comfort level.

I try to create a quiet, relaxed space. One where they’re not surrounded by cables and light stands, where we can talk naturally, without constant interruptions. If possible, I ask the crew to keep chatter to a minimum and avoid technical talk around the subject.

A calm set isn’t just a kindness—it’s a strategy. If the interviewee feels like they’re in a controlled, respectful space, they’ll stop worrying about how they look or sound and start focusing on what they really want to say.

3. Build Trust Fast (And Genuinely)

You don’t need years to build trust—you just need presence.

That means:

Remembering details from earlier conversations
Asking thoughtful follow-ups
Letting them know they can pause, restart, or say no to a question

I often share a bit of my own vulnerability too—not to shift focus, but to signal that I’m also showing up as a human being, not just a filmmaker collecting footage.

There’s something powerful about reminding someone that they’re in control of their story. That this isn’t “gotcha” journalism or content created at their expense. It’s a collaboration.

4. Ask Better Questions (And Give Them Space to Answer)

There’s no perfect question—but there are better ones.

Instead of:

“How did that make you feel?”

Try:

“Can you tell me about the moment when you realized something was wrong?”
“What was going through your mind the night before your diagnosis?”
“What would you say to someone going through the same thing right now?”

Open-ended, time-specific questions help people ground their answers in real memories. And sometimes, the second time you ask a question is when the magic comes out. If someone gives a surface-level answer, it’s okay to gently loop back and ask it again later.

Also: don’t rush to fill the silence. Sometimes, just waiting a beat gives someone space to go deeper.

5. The Best Moments Aren’t Always the Ones You Plan For

Some of the most powerful moments I’ve ever filmed happened after the “main” interview was technically over. The camera was still rolling, the lights still warm, and the person—having gone through the emotional arc of telling their story—said something raw, spontaneous, and real.

Those are the moments you can’t script. And they don’t happen unless the person in front of the camera feels like they can be themselves, fully.

This work isn’t about extracting emotion. It’s about creating room for it to show up.

Closing: Storytelling with Integrity

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after 50 interviews, it’s this: vulnerability comes from trust, not tactics.

And in a world where attention spans are short and content is everywhere, the most impactful stories are still the ones that feel honest and human.

If you’re part of an organization or nonprofit trying to bring real voices into your video content—whether it’s for a gala, a campaign, or long-term impact—make sure you’re giving people space to be seen and heard.

Because that’s where the real power of storytelling lives.

What I’ve Learned From 50 Interviews: Secrets to Helping Real People Feel Comfortable on Camera