Assignment 6: Interview Tips

1. Describe what makes for a good interview question for a film. Describe at least three points, use complete sentences and proper grammar.

2. List 5 interview questions specific to your technology & community project.

Post your answer as a reply to this thread.

Grading rubric:
6 points total - please make sure it is in your own words, not plagiarized (not copied and pasted from a website).
-- 3 points for part 1.
-- 3 points for thoughtful interview questions.

I think what makes a good interview question is something simple enough to where the interviewee can understand what is being asked of them, but at the same time something that will have a thought out answer, not just a yes or no answer. I also think the questions should be well thought out and related to the topic. It wouldn’t be good to get off topic. I found a couple websites which told me to not tell the interviewee what they are being interviewed on,because they should be the one's giving me the information; to make sure i ask my questions so that the interviewee won't just answer with yes or no, and also to stay on topic. If the person you are interviewing starts to interupt your question, stop talking immediately and let them say what they have to say. Also don't tell the interviewee to word their questions differently just so you will have an easier time editing your work...you are the editer, not your interviewee, so don't try to make them think harder about their questions when they're already nervous enough!


How dependent are you on technology?

Do you think that technology advances are going to continue to separate the rich from the poor?

If you were a person of the lower class, would you struggle to cough up money for the latest technology? And why?

On a daily basis, what technology do you think that you absolutely need?

What technology do you use every day?

Do you think that technology really matters? Please explain.

Do you think that technology is making the world a worse or better place to live in?

One source I found suggested that making a statement during an interview is a poor decision, meaning focus on questions. You don’t need to tell the person you’re interviewing anything. He/She should be telling you information. After this tip they gave me the infamous “never ask a yes or no question” rule. This website also gave the advice to “sound conversational, but never engage in a conversation”. I suppose this is for a similar reason as the “never make a statement” rule. To formulate open-ended questions, rephrase questions to start with “what”. A piece of advice that I think is very useful and interesting is to allow for a small period of awkward silence after each answer you receive. This way the person talking will feel obligated to break the silence and continue their answer further.

1) “What makes you feel a class difference?”
2) “How do you think new personal technology affects how you feel about it?”
3) “Would you say you would be less likely to feel as strongly about this 5 years ago, before the current technology?”
4) “What class would you say you are in financially and do you feel as though you are in this class (I.E. Maybe you’re wealthy, but you feel underprivileged /vice-versa)”
5) “What do you think affects what class you feel you’re in, other than strictly financial boundaries?”

You should always test the person that you are interviewing before you start filming to make sure you have a good interview, don't ask the questions that you would ask on the film. Next you should try to avoid yes or no question , make sure you ask questions that keep the person involve for example "How would you descript it" or "How do you feel about that situation." Never interrupt the person, let them speak. This will give you a chance to create a another question out of their statement like "I love fishing." and you would ask something like "Why do you love fishing so much?" Also never have your notes with you while filming, it will shows that you aren't prepared.

Do you think that you can go without technology for one day? If not than why?
Do do you think technology a good thing or a bad thing for the world? Why?
How would technology change our future?
Do you think think this nation on right road with technology is being upgraded everyday?
How do you think life would be if we took technology away today?

Tips that makes a good documentary:
1. Is making sure you are organized.
2. Make sure the lighting is good where you recording it at.
3. Make sure you have the right person to interview.


Five question for an Interview
1. How do you think technology when change over the past years?
2. Do you think you can go days and weeks without technology?
3. What technology you use most in your daily life?
4. Can you keep a journal saying how you survive without technology?
5. What technology that you don’t need in your daily life?

I think what makes for good interview questions is to stay on topic. Also don’t give away the answer to the question in the question. Stay away from one-word answers. You want to ask questions that are thoughtful. And you never want to choose sides on a subject so don’t ask a question that caters to one side.



1) How often do you use technology?

2) What is some technology you use on a daily basis?

3) Do you believe the world can survive without technology? And why?

4) What are some technologies you think are “useless”?

5) How is America’s use of technology different from other places that don’t have technology?

I think the best way to ask interview questions is one word questions and then have them maybe explain it in a one word answer or a longer statement that gives off a good explantion, and not mumble your words to the interviewer your talking to. and another way to give interview questions is with good behavior and watch what your asking.

1.What would life be like if you didnt have technolgy?
2.What would you do if you didnt have a cell phone?
3.What would you do if thier was no internet?
4.How could you get a hold of somebody if you didnt have a phone, car or the internet?
5.What would you do in your spare time since you have none of those things?

Questions have to be thought provoking but at the same time simple enough to be understood by anyone. Questions cant get to personal you have to ask how they feel about certain questions about there future and if they could change anything.
Stay on your subject and have a nice tone of voice.

examples:
What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it?
What motivates you to keep working hard at what u do?
How do u feel about being different then other amputees without the technology that u have
Who do u think u have inspired by going as far as u did
Do u think there are other amputees that should of gone as far as u have.

I think what makes a good interview question is being able to get the answer you want to prove your point. I think that the most important part of an interview question is the wording. You can say “Do you think that people who have more money should buy more technology?” Or “Do you think its fair for poor people to have less technology?” the second question makes the person answering look more like the bad guy if they say “yes”




1. Do you think that technology make’s life easier for you?

2. Do you think that technology makes you better then another person?

3. Should technology be free of charge?

4. Should there be a national level of technology that everyone in the world should get?

5. Do you think that it’s fair that people who are poor should have a harder time with thinks since they don’t have technology?

I think a good interviev question would consist of proper grammer ,eye contact,and articulation.

What do you depend on technology for
How often do you use it
If technology was the only thing you had would you sell it for money
Compare technology now vs technology back in the 80s do you think technology is worth it