Production Notes Workshop: Documentary Filmmaking

Behind every powerful documentary is a powerful interview. The way you sit with a subject, frame a moment, and craft the environment directly impacts the story your audience receives. Whether you’re shooting a character-driven documentary, a branded profile, or a short-form doc series, mastering the interview is a game-changer.

This hands-on workshop is designed to help filmmakers learn how to prepare for, conduct, and capture authentic interviews that feel natural, grounded, and cinematic.

In this workshop, we’ll break down the complete process of creating compelling interview moments, including:

🎤 Interview Preparation & Approach

• How to guide a subject into a natural conversation
• Building trust and shaping the emotional tone
• Developing strong, story-driven question sets

🎥 Cinematic Interview Techniques

• Camera placement and framing for different styles
• A/B camera setups and when to use them
• Lens choices and how they influence tone

💡 Lighting for Documentary Interviews

• Soft, natural interview lighting setups
• How to shape mood using key, fill, and negative fill
• Tips for working quickly in small or unpredictable locations

🎚 Audio Considerations

• Mic placement for clean, intimate dialogue
• Techniques for minimizing noise in real-world environments

🎞 Interview Styles & Formats

• Traditional sit-down interviews
• Walk-and-talk or environment-driven interviews
• Observational and vérité-inspired approaches

We’ll take a detailed look behind the scenes of ESPN’s Eight on Eight, exploring:

• Real interview setups
• Story-driven technical decisions
• How production style enhances the emotional narrative

This workshop is perfect for:

• Documentary filmmakers
• Directors & producers
• Cinematographers
• Journalists
• Content creators
• Anyone interested in stronger, more engaging interviews

No prior experience is required — just curiosity and a desire to tell meaningful stories.

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