How To Make the Most Of Your Interview

The absolute most important thing is for the person being interviewed to feel comfortable and appreciated. There will be some minor tips here, but the main one is to do everything you can to make them feel comfortable. That means:

1. Pick a chair and room where they feel comfortable.

2. Assure them they can answer questions multiple times if they don’t like an answer.

3. Have them look at you when they speak (although it’s okay if they look at the camera every now and then).

Some other tips I’ve gathered from a decade of filming are to:

• Start with Easy Questions

  • Like with public speaking, the first twenty seconds are the scariest, so it helps to start with simple questions to help ease them into it. I usually start with, “What’s your name? What are your parents name? And then go into “Tell me about your childhood”

• Listen Actively

  • People like sharing stories with people who are enjoying the stories. You must be interested in them that you planned this interview so show that interest! Nod, smile, and feel free to comment (e.g. “That’s amazing” or “I never knew that”) on what they’re sharing.

• Respect Their Boundaries:

  • If they seem uncomfortable with certain topics, don’t push. You can try to come back to it later, but the more you push, the less likely they are to share.

• Avoid “Yes/No” questions

  • Ask open-ended questions that invite stories and details. Instead of “Did you like school?” try “What was school like for you?”

• Prepare, but stay flexible

  • You might have a list of questions to ask, but try to let the conversation flow and be open to where different stories take you. This is where the most genuine moments come from.

If you have any questions ahead of the interview please send me an email: daniel@diamondvids.com

My Favorite Questions

After filming over a hundred interviews, I’ve gathered a list of the best interview questions to ask your loved one.

While these questions are a good guideline, remember to listen actively and follow up on their answers to keep the conversation engaging and meaningful. My favorite interviews feel like a conversation.

• Early Life and Family:

  • What was it like growing up in your hometown?

  • Can you tell me about your parents, and siblings?

  • What are some of your favorite childhood memories?

• Education and Career:

  • Where did you go to school, and what was your favorite subject? Were you a good student?

  • How did you choose your career path?

  • What was your first job, and what do you remember about it?

  • Any funny or interesting stories from your work life?

• Love and Relationships:

  • How did you meet your significant other?

  • Can you share some advice on maintaining a long and happy relationship?

• Hobbies and Interests:

  • What hobbies or activities have you enjoyed throughout your life?

  • What are your favorites books or movies?

• Memorable Moments:

  • What’s one of the craziest things you’ve ever done?

  • Have you ever traveled to any interesting places? What was your favorite trip?

• Life Lessons:

  • What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced, and how did you overcome them?

  • What are you most proud of?

  • What regrets do you have?

  • If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

  • What do you think is the secret to a happy and fulfilling life?

  • What life lessons would you like to share with your family?

And remember to include your own personal questions. You know them best.