Blending Wiseman and Interrotron: Your Personal Interview Workflow?

Hey everyone, I'm Naomi, a production sound mixer, and I've been really grappling with interview techniques lately. I've heard a lot about formal approaches like the Wiseman Method for observational work and the Interrotron for direct address. These theories sound great on paper, but I'm curious about the practical application in the field.

For recent projects, like a short doc on local artisans, I've tried to lean into a more hands-off, Wiseman-esque approach, sometimes to the detriment of getting crisp, direct answers. Then, for more personal stories, I've attempted a kind of 'soft Interrotron' setup, using a smaller monitor for eye-line, but it feels a bit clunky.

I'm finding it tough to seamlessly integrate these distinct methods. How have you, as filmmakers and content creators, adapted or blended these formal techniques to create your own personal, effective interview and observational workflow? Any insights or real-world examples would be super helpful!