# Interview-Driven Documentary — Format

> Documentary primarily based on talking-head interviews. Multiple subjects' voices.

## Format basics

- Length: 30 min - 120+ min
- Talking-head interviews dominant
- Multiple subjects
- B-roll supports interviews
- Archive footage if applicable

## Structure

```
COLD OPEN (3-5 min)
- Hook (compelling moment)
- Question/mystery established

ACT 1 (10-25 min)
- Subjects introduced
- Background context
- Setup

ACT 2 (25-75 min)
- Multiple POVs
- Investigation / story development
- Different voices
- Turning points

ACT 3 (75-100 min)
- Climactic revelations
- Resolution

OUTRO (100-110 min)
- Where things stand
- Subjects today
- Reflection
```

## Sample interview-driven documentary

```
TITLE: "The Last Yemen Coffee Farmer"

CONCEPT: Series of interviews with one Yemeni coffee farmer, his
family, his community, and international buyers — exploring why
his ancestral farm may be the last of its kind.

LENGTH: 90 minutes

STRUCTURE:

OPENING (5 min):
- Wide shots of his farm at dawn
- Subject (KARIM, 65) at work
- His voice in voiceover (interview audio): "My grandfather planted
these trees. My grandfather's grandfather. Now, only mine."

ACT 1 (5-25 min):
- Karim formally interviewed
- His sons (3) interviewed
- Why they may not continue
- Cousin (in Saudi Arabia) interviewed about leaving

ACT 2 (25-65 min):
- The challenges
- War impact (interviews with neighbors)
- Climate impact (interview with agronomist)
- Market access (interviews with international buyers)
- Karim's wife on family decisions

ACT 3 (65-85 min):
- A buyer commits to long-term contract
- Karim's youngest son returns from city
- Hope but realistic

OUTRO (85-90 min):
- Karim's voice over wide shots: "Maybe. Maybe."
- Where they all are now (text on screen)
```

## Key principles

### Subject access
- Multiple interviews per subject
- Build trust over time
- Specific moments captured

### Question quality
- Open-ended ("Tell me about...")
- Follow-up real
- Don't lead

### Visual variety
- Talking head + B-roll mix
- Don't dwell on talking head only
- Cinematic B-roll

### Interview cinematography
- Eye-line to camera or interviewer
- Soft natural lighting
- Real environment

### Edit fairly
- Don't twist meaning
- Subject's intent preserved
- Show before-and-after for major edits

## Common interview-driven sub-types

### Single subject deep dive
- One person's story
- Multiple sittings
- Comprehensive

### Multiple POV
- Different voices on same subject
- Comparison + contrast
- Synthesis

### Reflection / retrospective
- Subjects looking back at past event
- Memory + meaning

## When to use

- Subject has stories to tell
- Multiple POVs needed
- Lower budget option (vs verite which needs long shooting)
- Focused subject matter

## Common mistakes

- Generic questions
- Bad lighting / audio
- Too many talking head, no B-roll
- Subject manipulation
- Hidden agenda
- Insufficient research
