Nonfiction Creators 101: Interview Skills

If you're working in nonfiction—whether it's film, audio, or print—you're only as good as your interviews. And they're not as easy as the pros make them look: They are, quite frankly, inherently weird human interactions, with nerves often jangling on both sides. But good interview skills can make all the difference, the way a good host can make a great party. It's your job as an interviewer to steer the conversation and put your subject at ease to the point that they open up and share what you need to make your project a success.

In this course, we'll discuss the psychology of the interview, how to use it to your advantage (without necessarily compromising your subjects), how to get new information, and how to ask the awkward questions. The classes will be a dynamic mix of lectures, case studies of both successful and unsuccessful interviews, and group exercises.

Learn the best strategies for getting the best interviews from any subject, for any kind of story or medium. What kind of prep work goes into the best interview, beyond questions you want to ask? How do you help your subject get comfortable enough that they want to share everything with you? Discover how to go beyond the surface questions and get the good stuff. This course is best for those who want to strengthen their interviewing skillset.

What You Will Learn

• How to use psychological principles to make every interview as smooth as possible.
• How to get the information you need from every interview.
• How to prepare for a great interview.
• Practice interviewing in a supportive setting with feedback.
• How to feel comfortable asking the most awkward questions.