I'm filming a documentary, that despite some problems seems pretty promising. Basically, I go around my local school with a camera, asking people an assortment of questions, with the goal of elicting a revealing/funny response. My plan is to question many people in the school, and create a sort of highlight reel of answers that will say something about teenage life in a small, quiet, rich suburban town.

So far the questions I made up that got the best responses have been:

Can you describe the social class system of this high school?

The suicide rate in this very rich area is higher than the rate in a rundown third-world country. Why would you say that is?

Right now, what are you looking to do with your life?

On average, how many times per week do you masturbate?

What's your political affiliation and why?

What are your religous beliefs?

What's one memorable experience you've had at this school.

I've just about run out of askable questions so it would be great if you guys could suggest some for me. No one word answer questions if possible.

Additional note: I found that people were very shy on camera, and were way too official with the whole process. I need to figure out questions that help establish a sense of comfort, make the interview much more personal.

i dont think you should get to personal (the masturbation question) because people wont want to admit to that on camera.

Yeah, that one's a bit iffy, but some of the answers were priceless.

Ditto on the wanking question.

As for establishing a comfort level, you (as the interviewer) have to establish that comfort and it might take some time, especially if you're asking questions to people who don't know you. Personally, if someone that I didn't know came up to me, stuck a camera in my face and asked me questions about politics, suicide, religion and masturbation - I'm not sure that my response would be verbal or socially acceptable!

Maybe an article in the student paper describing the project and asking if people see you, to come up and chat/answer questions (just a thought off the top of my head). It may help break the ice, though you probably don't want to lose the spontaneity.

I wonder how the doc would come off if you obtained permission to go to other schools in the area, asking the same questions. Then comparative answers would be available with possibly some very interesting results.

I've always thought it would be interesting establishing a subject or a line of questioning for teenagers in school and seeing the responses that would come from those questions.

Good luck! Keep us posted on how it goes.

Question: Are these "sit down" interviews, or more like "on the spot" interviews, kinda in between classes? Because, if it is the former, and you have a few moments to talk to the people before the actual interview, do a pre-interview of sorts. I have to interview a lot of people, and film them for commercials, and I always create a pretty good level of comfort by "shooting the sh*t" with them. Ask them what they like to do, interests, things like that. THEN break out the questions, after you have established the level of comfort.


However, if they are more like "guerilla" interviews, then I...I got nothing. Good luck, though!