2 sessions: Saturday–Sunday, August 12–13, 10 am–1 pm

In this intensive introduction to the art of the interview, we’ll break down the secrets of successful interviewing techniques, lay out the relevant though often neglected procedures and technological hurdles typical of formal interviews, and strategize ways that students might apply those techniques to their individual interview-based projects through practice interviews, group critique sessions, and carry-home “cheat sheets.”

In the first class session, students examine clips from popular culture and cases from the instructor’s own background to understand the planning and thought processes involved in storytelling and interview recording. Students then develop a comprehensive list of best practices to include everything from camera placement and interviewer instructions to question order. Students are encouraged to share their project ideas with the instructor and the class, and together we’ll brainstorm potential challenges that each might face as they further develop their individual projects. Later, students practice conducting interviews to carry out an initial recorded interview with a real or test subject.

In the second session, we’ll reflect on those initial interviews and engage in a helpful critique session for each participant. Students will leave the class with targeted, tailored pointers for improving their interview methods and their interview-based projects, whether they be documentary films, oral history projects, podcasts, or other endeavors.

Tuition: $175 regular/$130 member/$100 low-income

Christopher Moore is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and a historian of film. He received his Ph.D. in film history from Indiana University–Bloomington, and he has served as a researcher with the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress. As a filmmaker, he has written and directed four feature-length films and a number of online series. His work has appeared at venues ranging from the Boston and Sarasota film festivals to the Bronx Museum of the Arts, WETA Public Television, Al Gore’s Current TV, and MTV World. Over the years, Chris has conducted hundreds of interviews with members of the U.S. Congress, former heads of state, and—most challenging—with his own family.

Class Registration Guidelines & Cancellation Policy

• Space is assigned on a first-come basis. Registrations must include payment in full to be valid. Registrations are accepted beyond registration deadlines as long as space is available.
• If minimum enrollment has not been reached by 5 days prior to the start date of a class, IFP MN may cancel it, in which case registrants will immediately be notified and receive a full refund by PayPal or charge card credit (for phone or in person credit card registrations) within 5 business days. A check will be issued for registrations that were paid in cash. In lieu of a refund, students have the option of applying their tuition to another course if scheduled in the same calendar year.
  For those wishing to cancel a registration prior to the class registration deadline, 100% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. For registration cancellations received after the registration deadline but prior to the first class session, 50% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. As of a class start date, no refunds or credits/exchanges will be given.
• Tuition is not prorated for missed class sessions.