Filming good video interviews is a skill that every organization should have. They’re personable, timeless, and an accessible form of storytelling compared to larger-scale projects. The biggest advantage you gain from using them is that they help to provide human interest to any story, which can help your video connect with and resonate with your target audience. While filming a video interview is totally achievable, there’s more to it than setting up a camera in an office and asking a few questions. The quality of the video matters and can make or break its success. Invest in your video interview the first time around for professional, high-quality end results.
We’ve covered this topic in our FAQ series to help our clients who are interested in filming themselves make the best possible videos. Here are some useful tips to remember for your next on-camera interview.
Be Strategic With Your Environment
Next to your talent, the environment is the most critical element of filming a successful video interview. The surrounding environment sets the tone for the video, and there’s more involved in cultivating it than solely setting up a chair in an empty room. The first factor—your choice of seating. While grabbing the first chair that is readily available might be convenient, it could also be highly distracting. We recommend using simple chairs with low backs or even stools that do not have a back at all.
After the chair selection comes the physical environment itself. The filming location should be clean and professional, with minimal distractions and optimal lighting. The goal should be to put the talent as far away from the wall that is behind them as possible. This provides depth, allowing for them to be in focus while the background is soft, making a much more appealing and less visually distracting shot. After all, if you’re interviewing someone, you want the audience to focus on what that person is saying and not on what books they have on their bookshelf.
This goes for clothing, too. Opting for simple, neutral clothing minimizes distractions. If possible, steer your interviewee away from complex patterns or print with words. Professional attire in black, white, or blue is always a safe bet. When filming in a studio, remember that plain, neutral-colored backdrops show up best on camera. Opt for a setting with natural lighting. If that’s not possible, utilize artificial lighting facing your interviewee, never behind them. Crafting your perfect background becomes useless if they are completely washed out on camera.
Ensure Your Interviewee Is At Ease
Most people aren’t accustomed to talking to a camera, and it can be an intimidating experience. Treat your interviewee as you would a guest. Provide them with instructions or an overview of the process beforehand, giving them time to prepare. When they arrive, give your interviewee a rundown of the environment, where they’ll be sitting, and what they will be talking about. Giving them the questions or prompts before the interview itself not only relieves interview anxiety but also allows them to think deeply about the topic, crafting the best answer for their on-screen appearance. Offering water and allowing for breaks helps to create a safe environment where they might feel more comfortable opening up. After all, authenticity and comfort shine through on camera. A candid, relaxed interview allows for the best results.
Body Language Speaks Volumes
Finally, consider the talent’s body position. The goal is to help the talent appear more visually interesting. We simply rotate the talent’s chair slightly, typically favoring the position of the camera. This will point the talent’s body toward the camera, which will then cause them to turn their head slightly to face the interviewer. This should be a very slight rotation, as you don’t want them looking too much to their side. If done correctly, the body will just barely favor the camera, and the face will favor the interviewer. This simple act makes the talent look far more dynamic.
Although this is not something that must be done, it can add a whole level of depth to the look of the shot rather than having a head-on conversation. The slight rotation of the talent’s chair will give a subliminal indication that the audience (the camera’s perspective) is welcomed as a part of the conversation. Just remember that less is more, and subtlety is key.
Media Services Is Here To Help You
Want to film the perfect video interview? Utilize these tips or partner with CIESC Media Services. We can showcase your school, district, or organization with the highest-quality videos, elevating your video interview. If your school is a member of CIESC, reach out to us to explore how you can utilize your Media Services credits. Gain access for your entire district or organization at a flat rate with CIESC Compliance Training, or get started on your next video project today.
