Commissions Unit- Finding The Right Interviewees

An interesting interview with Marlon Brando
on the Dick Cavett Show, 1973.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAPDQ5MlLxE

Apart from story and planning, one of the most crucial parts of filming a great documentary is finding the right people to volunteer for your film. Getting interviews with people that have nothing of relevance to say can ruin a documentary, no matter how great the story or subject matter is. This is why it's important to know how to make interviewees feel at ease and give the most interesting answers.

The thing about making a Documentary is that no matter what it's about you've got to find a way to draw in audiences and keep hold a of their attention. It is normally regarded as very important in these circumstances to find volunteers that will flesh out the basis of your films's story-telling.
It is often the case in the best Documentary's to see people that have exaggerated characters, this doesn't mean that they tell lies but rather that they are good at explaining the chosen story and giving insight in a way that is captivating to its audience. I want to find this type of character in our Documentary that is willing to tell us their stories. If the "Unsung Heroes" idea is chosen for example, I need people working at the NHS to describe what motivates them to continue working and take on the stress levels of their day to day job. For this to work the questions need to be posed in a way that makes them feel comfortable.