With my journey into making audio documentaries, the process of interviewing seemed to be inherently intertwined with the progress of the process itself – both as a form of exploration as well as a medium. Interviewing allows for both understanding of perspective (from a person as well as a topic) and idea. I like to keep interviews less formal opting for a more “fly-on-the-wall” natural approach, wanting the final product to be more of an exchange of ideas rather than solid questions and answers.
With this one I am developing, I Interviewed my brother who went to his first-ever Qawwali performance in person. I ask him one question and allow him to breathe and venture into what he would like to say and allow his thoughts to roam freely in their most expressive form then cut out key moments I want to use more specifically placing them into places I feel would structurally enhance the documentary episode itself.
By doing so, it creates a raw experience for the listener, allowing them to delve into thoughts born in their infancy if you will – abstract ideas and concepts that come to mind and unveil during the process of conversation and shared thought. I do not go for questions that require specific answers, I leave them open-ended and undetailed letting the subject fill in the gaps. This is one the first times I have actually thoroughly tried to interview so seriously – especially when it comes to more public figures who I plan to interview in the future