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Planning which film festivals to attend this year in case we're still alive and it got me thinking about Q&As... and how awful they can be. I've done tons of training on effective questions in a corporate/sales environment.
Here's some tips that translate over:
Here's some tips that translate over:
Tip #1: Ask Open Ended Questions
Bad (Close-ended):
Do you ever struggle with writing the second act?
Better (Open-ended):
What tips do you have for not losing momentum when writing act two?
Bad (Close-ended):
Do you ever struggle with writing the second act?
Better (Open-ended):
What tips do you have for not losing momentum when writing act two?
So, what’s the difference?
Close-ended questions often yield one word answers (like: yes, no) that generate little conversation. Open-ended questions allow the person to expand on the subject and inspire a more interesting discussion.
Close-ended questions often yield one word answers (like: yes, no) that generate little conversation. Open-ended questions allow the person to expand on the subject and inspire a more interesting discussion.
Tip #2: Lose the preamble
Bad: I’m working on a script I’ve been struggling with about a girl who moves to New York but I’m not sure that I’m like, making her real. So what's some advice you have for me?
Better: How do you approach making your lead feel like a real person?
Bad: I’m working on a script I’ve been struggling with about a girl who moves to New York but I’m not sure that I’m like, making her real. So what's some advice you have for me?
Better: How do you approach making your lead feel like a real person?
So, what’s the difference?
We all want to express our individual struggles, but there’s like 200 other people here. Lose the preamble and make it relevant to the rest of the audience. At the end of the day, the panelist will have to rephrase your question anyway if you don’t.
We all want to express our individual struggles, but there’s like 200 other people here. Lose the preamble and make it relevant to the rest of the audience. At the end of the day, the panelist will have to rephrase your question anyway if you don’t.
Tip #3: Whenever possible, address the whole panel
Bad: My question is for Joe. Did you always want to write for TV?
Better: What drives you all to choose features or TV? And if that’s changed for you, why?
Bad: My question is for Joe. Did you always want to write for TV?
Better: What drives you all to choose features or TV? And if that’s changed for you, why?
So, what’s the difference ?
While it’s fine to bring up a direct question to a specific panelist (especially if it’s related to something they worked on), ask yourself if your question is truly specific or something that everyone on the panel can weigh in on.
While it’s fine to bring up a direct question to a specific panelist (especially if it’s related to something they worked on), ask yourself if your question is truly specific or something that everyone on the panel can weigh in on.
Hope those were helpful! Obviously, there's always exceptions. Just remember that effective questions lead to more interesting answers. And that benefits all of us. 
Bonus tip: Make it a question
Bad: I’ve followed your whole career and you’re so inspiring. I’m just starting out but I want to say thank you.
Better: What advice do you have for young filmmakers like me who have followed your journey and are inspired by all that you’ve done?
Bad: I’ve followed your whole career and you’re so inspiring. I’m just starting out but I want to say thank you.
Better: What advice do you have for young filmmakers like me who have followed your journey and are inspired by all that you’ve done?
So, what the difference?
It seems obvious, but it happens all the time. The first comment is wonderful. But, it’s not leveraging this opportunity. Find a way to combine your praise with a real question. And we’ll all be better for it.
It seems obvious, but it happens all the time. The first comment is wonderful. But, it’s not leveraging this opportunity. Find a way to combine your praise with a real question. And we’ll all be better for it.
