Documentary Interviews
This task introduced us to a new technique in filming documentaries which are interviews. For the first few weeks, Adele and I decided it was the best to conduct mock interviews so we know how will the interview be on the actual days. This way we can be prepared and all of this is thanks from Mr Andrews and past students who gave us tips to always practise before doing the real thing. Therefore, throughout the project, we were ready for our interviews and were not stressed out. However, we came across some issues along the way.
Here are some tips Mr Andrews gave to us about writing questions for the interviews.
In this post, I have separated the reflection into two sections; student and professionals.
Student Interviews
The student interviews were not difficult to conduct but we have faced many difficulties along the way. Firstly, our first student interviews happen around (date) where we decided to conduct an interview with some Year 7 girls. In the beginning, the camera we used was not a school one so we had no idea where we could access the menu to check if the sound for the microphone were good. Pressing for time since it was tight, we start with our interviews hoping the sound is ok.
During the interview, the conversations were all good as the students told us some really good answers. The issue we had with the interview was the noise outside of the room we had conducted. Sadly, we did not have a soundproof room so we are hoping that the microphone did not pick too much on the passerby and the door shutting off. Other than that, our first student interview went well.
Unfortunately, during editing, the sound level was too low then we have imagined. Therefore, it was difficult to understand what they are saying even with the levels are up to the maximum. However, there was a solution to the problem. I have found on the internet how to increase low volume clip which was helpful. However, the level of noise has increased which was misfortunate.
The second time we interviewed some students, we also have faced another problem. While filming, the Bar light we had run out of battery in which messed up the light in the frame. Therefore, we had to improvise by lighting up with a torch from an iPhone. The next person, we interviewed her on the other side where the light is better but there were people in the background.
With the Bar Light
Without the Bar Light
New Location
Overall, the students' interview was a bit hectic but we have solved the problems. They still quite useful though for our documentary. The only thing that we need to improve is to find the menu for the microphone levels so we don't have to face the same problem like in the student interviews and bring in more lighting because I feel some of the shots are quite dark.
Professionals
School Counsellor
The interview with the school counseller was our first one. It went very smoothly that we did not face any issue there at all. We have fixed the microphone problem we have faced from the student interviews which was awesome. The interview went smoothly and we got some good points. This interview will be good for my part of the documentary. I have no other things to say about this one.
Psychiatrist
The interview with the psychiatrist went smoothly in the afternoon. Before she came to school for our interview, we were setting up the equipment in which made us well prepared for the interview. During the interview, it went smoothly until one of the cameras died on us which thankfully was not a problem as the other camera was still rolling. Other than that, I don't think there is a need for improvement because this is enough.
Griffith Lecturer of Social & Digital Marketing
The interview with the lecturer must be my favourite one. This was the biggest one we ever did because he was someone we had no connection and he was really a professional. Therefore, we could not make to create a mistake with him. Thankfully, on the day we have arrived at Griffith, we came around 20 minutes earlier to set up the equipment. We originally set up outside but the man told us the meeting room was better. We were well prepared (thanks that we a few days earlier to find the location so we won't get lost) and manage to start early due to him having a tight schedule. The interview went really well because he gave us some good tips and insight on the matter which was good four our documentary. However, the only thing that we could have improved is to be more aware what's on the frame as seen in the picture above (we forgot that the bar light is reflecting on the window). Furthermore, one of the cameras died due to full storage but thankfully the other was still rolling. Despite some minor mishaps, this interview was done really well and we are proud of ourselves to manage to conduct interviews with no major accidents.
Overall, I am really happy and proud the achievements we have made with the interviews even though it was our first time doing it. It is all thanks to advices and tips from Mr Andrews and past students.
Here are some tips Mr Andrews gave to us about writing questions for the interviews.
- We need not be direct. So first, warm them up
- Adress their bio and such and include them in the questions
- If the person does not agree then lead them to where you want them to say
Student Interviews
The student interviews were not difficult to conduct but we have faced many difficulties along the way. Firstly, our first student interviews happen around (date) where we decided to conduct an interview with some Year 7 girls. In the beginning, the camera we used was not a school one so we had no idea where we could access the menu to check if the sound for the microphone were good. Pressing for time since it was tight, we start with our interviews hoping the sound is ok.
During the interview, the conversations were all good as the students told us some really good answers. The issue we had with the interview was the noise outside of the room we had conducted. Sadly, we did not have a soundproof room so we are hoping that the microphone did not pick too much on the passerby and the door shutting off. Other than that, our first student interview went well.
Unfortunately, during editing, the sound level was too low then we have imagined. Therefore, it was difficult to understand what they are saying even with the levels are up to the maximum. However, there was a solution to the problem. I have found on the internet how to increase low volume clip which was helpful. However, the level of noise has increased which was misfortunate.
 |
| Able to solve the problem with the Gain effect |
With the Bar Light
Without the Bar Light
New Location
Overall, the students' interview was a bit hectic but we have solved the problems. They still quite useful though for our documentary. The only thing that we need to improve is to find the menu for the microphone levels so we don't have to face the same problem like in the student interviews and bring in more lighting because I feel some of the shots are quite dark.
Professionals
School Counsellor
The interview with the school counseller was our first one. It went very smoothly that we did not face any issue there at all. We have fixed the microphone problem we have faced from the student interviews which was awesome. The interview went smoothly and we got some good points. This interview will be good for my part of the documentary. I have no other things to say about this one.
Psychiatrist
The interview with the psychiatrist went smoothly in the afternoon. Before she came to school for our interview, we were setting up the equipment in which made us well prepared for the interview. During the interview, it went smoothly until one of the cameras died on us which thankfully was not a problem as the other camera was still rolling. Other than that, I don't think there is a need for improvement because this is enough.
Griffith Lecturer of Social & Digital Marketing
The interview with the lecturer must be my favourite one. This was the biggest one we ever did because he was someone we had no connection and he was really a professional. Therefore, we could not make to create a mistake with him. Thankfully, on the day we have arrived at Griffith, we came around 20 minutes earlier to set up the equipment. We originally set up outside but the man told us the meeting room was better. We were well prepared (thanks that we a few days earlier to find the location so we won't get lost) and manage to start early due to him having a tight schedule. The interview went really well because he gave us some good tips and insight on the matter which was good four our documentary. However, the only thing that we could have improved is to be more aware what's on the frame as seen in the picture above (we forgot that the bar light is reflecting on the window). Furthermore, one of the cameras died due to full storage but thankfully the other was still rolling. Despite some minor mishaps, this interview was done really well and we are proud of ourselves to manage to conduct interviews with no major accidents.
Overall, I am really happy and proud the achievements we have made with the interviews even though it was our first time doing it. It is all thanks to advices and tips from Mr Andrews and past students.
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