Greetings from New Orleans, where I just went to the Super Bowl, without actually going to the Super Bowl. I’ve spent over a decade doing man on the street interviews, turning my insufferable FOMO into a full-time job.
I enjoy asking complete strangers deeply uncomfortable questions, like whether they’ve uncovered the full potential of their penis or how many abortions they’ve caused. I’ve done this at political rallies where I’m actively trying not to get killed. At protests where I’m dodging tear gas. Even at massive cultural events where my biggest fear is running out of storage on my phone.
I got my start at Mic and Vox, diving headfirst into chaotic spaces: Trump rallies, feminist marches, congressional hallways, and Vegas nightclubs. I asked people about everything from reproductive rights to masculinity to the absurdities of American politics.
Since then, I’ve taken these skills everywhere. I co-founded Hotties for Harris and helped influencers make election-related man on the street content. There is an art to ambushing unsuspecting men on the street with questions no one has ever asked them before.
The internet changes constantly. Zuckerberg and his buddies will probably rewrite the algorithm before you finish reading this. But some things in digital storytelling always hold true. Here are the time-tested, battle-worn, “I learned these the hard way” rules for making a great man on the street viral video.
How To Do a Great Man on the Street Interview
1) Always Go In With an Angle
The burden of being interesting is on you, not your interviewees. Go in with questions that will be funny, engaging, or surprising no matter how people respond. The best man on the street interviews aren’t random. They are engineered.
Your job isn’t just to record what’s happening. It is to create a situation where something interesting will happen. Don’t rely on people you’re talking to, to be witty and make you go viral. Your angle, whether it’s unexpected, hilarious or weird, has to be there before you go out and do your interviews.
And yet, the best moments are the ones you don’t plan for. Which brings me to…
2) Follow the Fun
After years of doing this, I’ve learned that the best moments are the ones I never could have scripted. Early on, I used to obsessively over-prepare, rehearsing every possible answer someone might give and pre-planning my reaction.
Now, I know my job isn’t to be the funniest person in the interaction. It is to elicit the best responses. If you focus on making other people look good, they will give you gold. And when something unexpected happens, go with it. It is probably the most interesting part of your video.
During my Super Bowl interviews, I accidentally started talking to another content creator, and we had chemistry, so instead of just asking him questions that I had prepared, I went in the direction of whatever we were making together.
Not to be cheesy, but interviewing people is like a dance. You’re doing it together, and if you come in with rigid choreography, you’re going to step on toes. You need structure, but you also need to be loose enough to follow the rhythm of the conversation.
3) Don’t Just Go In With Questions, Go In With a Headline
I learned this from years in digital media. If I couldn’t think of a good headline for a piece, I wouldn’t write it. That may sound counterintuitive. Shouldn’t content come before framing? But trust me, you are making your life harder if you don’t know your hook before you start filming or writing for that matter.
A good headline isn’t just clickbait. It’s clarity. It forces you to distill why the video is compelling before you start. And if the footage takes an unexpected turn, adjust. The best digital storytelling is equally structured and responsive.
4) Cast Your Man on the Street Interviews
I don’t just walk up to anyone. I choose who I talk to. You’re not just an interviewer. You are a casting director.
Not everyone is a great interview. Look for people who stand out. Interesting outfits, funny signs, bold energy. Seek out visuals that will make your video more dynamic. This past weekend, while asking men how many abortions they had caused, we spotted a group of guys on a balcony holding a “SHOW US YOUR TITS“ sign.
My camera guy, Matty, immediately flagged the opportunity. I got their attention, went up there, and suddenly, we had a moment where, as I asked them about reproductive responsibility, one of them hoisted the sign. It created a perfect comedic contrast.
You’re not just casting. You are also a set designer, a location scout, and a director. The more hats you remember to wear, the better and more cinematic your interviews will be.
5) Get Verbal Consent on Camera
I cannot stress this enough. The internet doesn’t technically require physical release forms, but getting someone to verbally agree to being filmed on camera is your best protection. Start recording before you start the conversation so you have that agreement documented. And if someone doesn’t want to be filmed, honor that.
6) Go Where People Are Bored
A golden rule I’ve learned over the years. Lines are your best friend.
People rushing into an event aren’t stopping for an interview. But people stuck in line? They have time. At the Inauguration, we kept getting no’s on the street outside Capitol One Arena, where the post-event party was happening.
However, once we moved to the long, freezing line outside, people were suddenly eager to chat. Wherever you are, whether it is Times Square, a festival, or a stadium, find the places where people want a distraction. And be a fun distraction!!
Make It Fun
After years of doing this, my best advice is this. If you’re not enjoying yourself, the audience won’t either. Man on the street interviews are not easy. Be prepared, be present, follow the fun, and let go of the need to control everything. You never know what is going to happen. And that is the best part.
Happy interviewing!!
