Step 4: Prepare Supporting Materials in Advance FILMING Supporting materials can be used to refresh an interviewee’s memory, but not to prompt a particular answer. Examples: • Maps may help witnesses more accurately provide details of the location of an event. • Photographs of common weapons my help them identify a weapon that they do not know by name. • A calendar can assist with recalling dates. Step 5: Select Witnesses In many situations, it is simply impossible to interview all the witnesses to a human rights incident. Consider the type of information you are trying to gather and the gaps in information you are trying to fill. Then be thoughtful about whom you interview about what. For example, a witness who is devastated by the loss of his or her family would likely be able to recount the events before, during, and after the attack, but would likely not be well qualified to provide details about the weapons used. On the other hand, a neighbor with military training would be the better person to interview regarding the types of weapons used. Also, consider how many witnesses you need to interview to ensure credibility and compensate for witnesses who may provide mistaken or unclear information. Step 6: Choose a Safe, Private, and Informative Interview Location When possible, locate a safe, private, and reasonably quiet space to conduct the interview. It can be helpful to find a location that allows the viewer to also see the area where the incidents took place; these background images and sounds may help corroborate the interviewee’s testimony. For instance, if the witness is speaking about shelling while shelling is actively taking place, the noises in the background will corroborate their testimony. If the witness is speaking about the intentional burning of an oil refinery, and you can see and hear the flames in the background, this too will corroborate their testimony. The bottom line is that, while it is good have high-quality images and sound in some situations, it may be better to sacrifice the image and sound quality to capture background information that supports the witness’s testimony. This choice will be only yours to make according to the situation and how you hope to use the video. Step 7: Select an Interviewer If possible, have two people whom the interviewee is comfortable with record the interview — one to handle the technical aspects and the other to ask the questions. When selecting an interviewer, consider their gender and cultural, political, and religious affiliations. Step 8: Make the Interviewee Comfortable Individuals need to feel comfortable and trust you if you want them to tell you their story honestly. Introduce yourself and explain what you are doing and why. Explain all the aspects of confidentiality, and permit the interviewee to ask questions before starting the interview. 152 VIDEO AS EVIDENCE: FILMING PRELIMINARY INTERVIEWS V 1.0