Documentary work often begins long before anyone presses record. It begins with attention: to a person’s pace, to what they choose to share, and to what remains unsaid.
Trust is part of the process
An interview is not simply a way to collect information. It is a relationship with responsibilities. Clear expectations, patient listening, and room for uncertainty can help a conversation become more truthful without becoming extractive.
Leave room for surprise
The strongest material may not confirm the story a filmmaker expected to tell. Listening well means being willing to let a project change shape when the people inside it reveal something more complicated.