The BTS Interviewer: Capturing Voices Behind the Camera

Welcome to the World of BTS Interviewing

In the bustling world of film production, while cameras capture the magic on screen, the BTS Interviewer captures the magic behind it. They are the bridge between the creative process and the audience, transforming individual experiences into compelling narratives that support both marketing efforts and historical documentation.

Behind the scenes documentary interview setup

Key Responsibilities

Research & Preparation: Understanding each crew member's role and crafting personalized questions

Building Trust: Creating comfortable environments where authentic stories emerge naturally

Active Listening: Recognizing golden moments and following compelling narrative threads

Storytelling Craft: Shaping raw conversations into engaging promotional and archival content

Where the BTS Interviewer Fits

Director

Creative Vision Leader

BTS Director

Behind-the-Scenes Content Lead

BTS Interviewer

Voice Capture Specialist

BTS Videographer

Visual Documentation

BTS Photographer

Still Image Capture

What Does a BTS Interviewer Do?

Behind the scenes interview setup masterclass

On-Set Interviewing

Conducting real-time interviews during production, capturing immediate reactions and insights while the creative energy is at its peak.

Story Development

Working closely with subjects to uncover compelling narratives that reveal the human side of filmmaking.

Technical Coordination

Collaborating with audio and lighting teams to ensure optimal recording conditions for clear, professional interviews.

A Day in the Life

Pre-Production Phase

Research cast and crew backgrounds
Develop question banks for different roles
Plan interview schedules around shooting
Coordinate with production team

Production Phase

Conduct spontaneous interviews between takes
Capture reactions to significant moments
Document technical processes and challenges
Build rapport with hesitant subjects

Crafting the Right Questions

Question Types That Work

Open-Ended Explorers

"What surprised you most about this scene?"

Emotional Connectors

"How did it feel when that take finally worked?"

Process Illuminators

"Walk me through how you created that effect."

Story Builders

"What would audiences never guess about this character?"

The Question Preparation Process

1

Research the Person

Understand their role, experience, and what they bring to the project

2

Map Their Journey

Track their involvement from pre-production through wrap

3

Identify Key Moments

Find the challenges, breakthroughs, and memorable experiences

4

Craft Questions

Develop specific, open-ended questions that invite storytelling

5

Prepare Follow-ups

Have deeper questions ready to explore interesting directions

Pro Tip

Always have backup questions ready. Sometimes the best interviews come from unexpected directions when your planned questions don't land as expected.

Creating Comfort and Trust

Pre-Interview Conversations

Start with casual, off-camera chats to establish rapport and ease nerves before rolling.

Safe Space Creation

Establish clear boundaries about what can be shared and ensure subjects feel protected.

Active Listening

Show genuine interest through body language, follow-up questions, and engaged responses.

Building Rapport Techniques

Before the Interview

Arrive Early: Give yourself time to set up and chat casually

Share a Moment: Grab coffee together or find common ground

Show Interest: Ask about their work and listen to their stories

During the Interview

Maintain Eye Contact: Look at them, not just the camera

Match Their Energy: Adapt your tone to their comfort level

Allow Silence: Give them space to think and respond fully

Essential Equipment & Setup

Mobile Interview Kit

Lavalier Microphone: For hands-free, clear audio recording

Audio Monitor: To ensure clean sound throughout the interview

Backup Batteries: Never run out of power mid-conversation

Extra Storage: Multiple cards for extended shooting days

Professional interview setup with boom microphone

Setup Best Practices

Find Quiet Spaces

Scout for areas away from crew noise, equipment hum, and traffic

Test Audio Levels

Always do a sound check before starting the conversation

Position Strategically

Place yourself where you can see the subject and monitor equipment

Have Backup Plans

Know alternative locations and have redundant recording methods

Storytelling Through Voice

Behind the scenes investigation and story development

The Art of Narrative Discovery

Listen for Emotion

Pay attention to voice changes, pauses, and moments of genuine feeling

Identify Key Themes

Notice recurring topics, challenges, and breakthrough moments

Follow Natural Arc

Let conversations flow toward their natural beginning, middle, and end

Capture Authenticity

Sometimes the most powerful moments happen between prepared answers

From Raw Interview to Compelling Story

Capture

Record authentic conversations and natural reactions

Curate

Select the most compelling and revealing moments

Craft

Weave individual voices into cohesive narratives

Learn from the Professionals

Interview Styles Masterclass

Mark Bone breaks down different documentary interview approaches and when to use each style effectively.

9:56 • 500K+ views

8 Steps to Interview Success

Full Time Filmmaker provides a comprehensive job shadow experience showing the complete interview process.

29:50 • 1M+ views

Advanced Interview Techniques

Mark Bone shares advanced tips for documentary, podcast, and corporate interviews to get better responses.

8:18 • 220K+ views

Practice Workshop

Interview Planning Worksheet

Use this template to prepare for your next BTS interview. Fill out each section to ensure you're ready to capture compelling stories.

Subject Research

Subject Name & Role:

Their involvement in the project:

Key challenges they might have faced:

Question Planning

Opening question (warm-up):

Core story questions:

Emotional/personal questions:

Emotional Mood Map

Plan the emotional journey of your interview to guide the conversation naturally from comfortable to more revealing moments.

Comfort

Easy, safe questions

Interest

Process, technique questions

Connection

Personal impact questions

Revelation

Deep insight questions

Best Beginner Resources

Essential Reading

Documentary Storytelling Guides

Learn the fundamentals of narrative structure in non-fiction storytelling

• "The Documentary Filmmaker's Handbook" by Genevieve Jolliffe
• "Documentary Storytelling" by Sheila Curran Bernard
• "The Art of the Documentary" by Megan Cunningham

Interview Technique Resources

Master the art of conversation and questioning

• "The Art of the Interview" by Lawrence Grobel
• "Interviewing: The Oregon Method" by various contributors
• Online courses on active listening techniques

Practice Opportunities

Student Film Projects

Volunteer to document local film productions and student projects

Pro Tip: Many film schools welcome volunteers for BTS documentation. Reach out to local programs!

Personal Projects

Start your own interview series with local artists, creators, or professionals

Idea: Create a "Local Creatives" series interviewing photographers, musicians, writers in your area.

Online Communities

Join filmmaking forums and Discord servers to connect with other beginners

• r/FilmMakers subreddit
• Stage 32 networking platform
• Local filmmaking Facebook groups

Your Next Steps

1

Start Small

Practice with friends, family, or volunteer on a local project

2

Build Your Kit

Invest in basic audio equipment and practice using it regularly

3

Keep Learning

Watch documentaries critically and analyze interview techniques