The job of a filmmaker is quite demanding; a good filmmaker understands how to use the strengths of their cast and everything around them. They are talented people who mostly like to be behind the scene, but I firmly believe they should never leave the opportunity to showcase their personal brand. Like everyone, personal branding for filmmakers is essential; it is a great way to showcase your skills, talk about your ideas and open new opportunities.
Below are my favourite interview questions for filmmakers and interview questions for film directors and producers. If you are the interviewer, you can use these questions to decode the personal brand of the film director/producer. Suppose you are a film producer or film director; in that case, you can prepare yourself for the interview by understanding what questions can be asked during the magazine/ radio or tv interview.
1. Please tell us what inspired you to enter into the world of films?
2. Filmmaking is a laborious job, so what keeps you motivated?
3. How much patience is required in this field?
4. How do you choose your star cast?
5. It is rare big stars give any audition for a movie. Do you ask them for an audition?
6. Do you think taking an audition is the best way to cast for a movie or documentary?
7. What advice would you like to give to aspiring filmmakers?
8. Please tell us about your upcoming projects.
9. Do you think directing a film is the toughest job while making a movie?
10. How important role editing plays while making a film?
11. Do you agree many filmmakers fail to understand the importance of editing?
12. Being a filmmaker needs a lot of expertise and patience because one has to handle everything all around, so what keeps you motivated?
13. How do you handle when an actor is not professional?
14. Who are your filmmaking influencers?
15. What are the toughest aspects of making a film today?
16. How do you choose a script that you are going to direct?
17. Do you think the role of a producer is vital?
18. How tough it is for a producer to keep the budget unaffected?
19. What projects are you working on next?
20. Were there any funny anecdotes from your filmmaking process?
21. Where do you see the film industry going in the next 3 years?
22. How do you think the industry is changing?
23. Do you think some movies have vulgar scenes and abuses which are not required?
24. As an eminent filmmaker, what is your responsibility toward your audience?
25. Do you make films to entertain the audience?
26. Do you think movies can bring a good change in the society?
27. How children are influenced from movies?
28. Who are your favorite filmmakers?
29. Which actor, according to you, is all-time best actor?
30. Who is your favorite actor among the current lot?
31. What do you think the audience like to watch these days?
32. What’s your next film about?
33. What were the challenges of making this film?
34. What inspires you to make movies?
35. What advice would you give to someone starting a career in filmmaking?
36. Who would you love to work with and why?
37. Any book on which you would like to make a movie?
38. Do you like to read books?
39. What kind of book you like to read?
40. Name 3 books you recently read.
41. What generally inspires your interest?
42. What are your goals when you make a film?
43. What advice you would give on film writing?
44. Do you think writers get their due?
45. The script is most important to make a film. Do you think all filmmakers focus on that?
46. What role music plays in a movie?
47. Any advice you would like to give on cinematography.
48. What role the production design plays?
49. Do you think coordinators are quite important on a movie set?
50. What do you think is the future of OTT?
51. As so many filmmakers are releasing their films online, do you have similar plans?
52. What inspires you to work?
53. What would you like to say to your fans?
54. What is your work regime?
55. What is the reason behind your success?
56. Name three countries where you love to make films?
57. Do you think the film industry is growing or not?
58. How do you ensure that production is on schedule?
59. What, in your opinion, is the most important quality of a film director?
60. How do you manage unprofessional people on sets?
61. Name one film which is overrated.
62. Name three underrated movies.
63. Do you agree a filmmaker has to have great managerial skills?
64. What kind of films would you like to make in future?
65. What is the most difficult post-production problem you have faced?
66. Do you try to motivate your actors to perform better? If yes, then how?
67. Name three things you want to change about the film industry.
68. What was your drive behind making films?
69. What do you consider as your greatest achievement till date?
70. Do you have any advice for young filmmakers out there?
71. Do you think it is essential to go to a film institute in order to become a successful filmmaker?
72. If you got the opportunity to remake a classic, which one you go for?
73. With all the artistic opportunities to choose from, why producing?
74. Obviously, you’ve worked with many writers, playwrights, and screenwriters. What should a screenwriter or a playwright know about working with a producer, in terms of managing their expectations when they’re pitching them?
75. Since you like to work a lot with IP, do you have advice to screenwriters about how to obtain it?
76. Why did you decide to be a producer above all other industry job roles?
77. Did you attend film school or study film at university?
78. What was your first job in film and how did you progress to producer?
79. What film projects are you working on right now?
80. I always ask as the last interview question, if you could go back in time and talk to your 18-year-old self, what advice would you give him?
81. What advice would you give to those hoping to pursue a career in producing?
82. Was there a particular event or time that you recognized that filmmaking is your way of telling stories?
83. Who’ve been your influences within the industry?
84. Do you think that your storytelling ability in a film gives you an edge in television?
85. As a Producer, how involved in the writing of a project do you get? Are you more involved in the initial development?
86. Can you share an overview of your career strategy? What types of projects do you see yourself involved with in the future?
87. How much of Hollywood is idea-driven?
88. Do you think it is essential to go to a film institute in order to become a successful filmmaker?
89. What was the most important lesson you had to learn that has had a positive effect on your film? How did that lesson happen?
90. What were the production realities from casting through editing that you had to accommodate? How did you navigate those compromises or surprises and still end up with a cohesive film?
91. What was the hardest artistic choice you made in the making of a film, at any stage in production?
92. Would you recommend writers think like a producer when writing their script? Or, just write with reckless abandon and then worry about the cost, or whatever, after they’ve grabbed a producer’s attention.
93. If you had an unlimited budget at your disposal, what would be your dream production project?
94. What does the future of film look like?
95. What are you most proud of in your professional experience?
96. How long did it take to research and make the film?
97. How involved in the writing of a project do you get? Are you more involved in the initial development?
98. Do you believe that a filmmaker should be original and fresh or he/she should stick to classic but safe cinema style?
99. What role have film festivals played in your life so far? Why are they necessary? How do you get the most out of them?
100. What do audiences want? And is it the filmmaker’s role to worry about that?
101. What were the key challenges in making XYX FILM NAME?
102. Why is copyright important to you as a filmmaker?
103. What are the films you admire – that you have found to be profound? What films have moved you in an entertaining way?
104. Let’s talk more about your most recent film: ABC FILM NAME. Where did the idea come from for this compelling story? And why was it so important for you to tell this story?
105. What are the challenges for women in the film industry?
106. The Covid-19 crisis has disrupted the global film industry. What are the challenges and opportunities for the industry beyond the pandemic?
107. Who are your favorite directors?
108. Is digital technology an opportunity or a threat?
109. Can you say something about the collaborative nature of filmmaking?
110. What is the role of film festivals?