Interviews are the spine of the documentary. They are where the audience gets inside the participants' heads. Every interview should feel like a conversation, not a press conference.
Setup rule
Natural light where possible. Shallow depth of field. Subject slightly off-centre. Background shows the environment — a working space, a residence, not a blank wall. Lavalier mic under clothing. No visible microphone if possible.
Day 1 — Friday Evening
After Introductions
1
What made you want to be here this weekend?
2
What are you most nervous about going into tomorrow?
3
What is one thing you wish people understood about what you do?
4
When you build something, what are you really trying to say?
5
What does technology mean to you outside of a job description?
Day 2 — Saturday
Throughout the day — pull individuals as moments arise
1
Walk me through what you are working on right now.
2
What is the hardest thing you have had to figure out today?
3
Is this what you expected it to be? Why or why not?
4
Tell me about a moment today that surprised you.
5
What would you do differently if you had more time?
6
Have you and the team disagreed on anything? What happened?
7
What does the product need to be by tonight?
8
There is a moment in every build where you think it might not work. Have you had that moment yet?
Day 3 — Sunday
After presentation / closing reflection
1
What did you actually build this weekend?
2
What part of the process surprised you most?
3
Tell me about a moment where the team surprised you.
4
What is different about you now versus when you arrived Friday?
5
If this product was going to market tomorrow, what would be missing?
6
What do you want someone watching this to take away?
7
What does this weekend mean to you as a builder in Ghana?
Spontaneous / Random Moments
Use throughout — no warning
1
Real talk: how are you feeling right now?
2
What is going on over there? [pointing to something happening]
3
You looked frustrated a second ago. What was that?
4
That was impressive. What just happened?
5
If you could freeze this moment — why would you?
6
What are you going to tell people when you get home?