Interview Techniques

Rule 1 - Know what your film is about.
Make sure your questions are relevant to the overall narrative of the film. Understand the style of your film.

Rule 2 - Prepare, prepare, prepare.
Know your subject and your subject matter. Don't assume your subject will know before hand what you want to know. You have to ask the right questions.

Rule 3 - Rapport building is paramount.
Most subjects have probably not been in front of a camera before so it's important you do all you can to make the subject relax and more importantly like you (or feel comfortable speaking with you). remove as much tension as possible.

Rule 4 - Don't fidget.
When anyone is in a state of concentration most people fidget. You as an interviewer cannot fidget as it may give off the impression you are bored etc.

Rule 5 - Active listening.
Don't zone out when listening to your subject. Listen carefully, look at the body language and think of the meaning behind their words and stories.

Rule 6 - The power of silence.
Don't be in too much of a hurry to fill the silence with a new question, let the interviewee breath and think about their answers.

Rule 7 - Interviewing for the edit.
Try and make sure the interviewee is putting the questions into their answers. Don't ask closed questions.

Rule 8 - Never underestimate the importance of local knowledge.
Understand the subjects cultural and ethnic background. More important when your filming abroad  You don't want to cause any offence.  

Rule 9 - Good questioning vs bad questioning.
Don't ask multiple questions and don't try to lead the subject by putting assumptions into your questions.

Rule 10 - Develop your own personal style.
In time you will develop your own style of interviewing. You'll know what your comfortable asking and what your not. This style will likely have an effect on the style of documentary you make in the future.