Interviewing People On Camera – What You Need & What to Avoid

Whether you are a novice Virginia videographer or have experience, you need to know how to create on-camera interviews that will add depth to your video.  Asking the right questions, having a wireless microphone system and the right lighting will help you produce dynamic video footage of your subjects.

If you are filming at an event, such as a business gathering or birthday party, be prepared to ask a few people some questions.  It is best to think of them ahead of time.  Write down a baseline string of questions that you plan to ask.  The more people you interview and ask these questions, the better, as it will give you a wealth of viewpoints on a particular subject and more options when you are editing your video. 

You don’t have to be limited by the questions you came up with in advance, though.  During the interview, try to draw out the interviewee’s unique insight.  Think of your interview as a conversation, where people explain, describe and expand upon a topic.  Stay away from questions that solicit only a yes or no response.  You want to encourage people to tell their story in their own words.

There are some things you will need in order to conduct interviews at special events and social gatherings, including a wireless microphone system.  While a wireless mic is ideal, if you don’t have one of these systems, you have another option.  Each video camera is equipped with an on-camera mic.  Get as close to the person, as possible, so this mic can pick up his or her voice. 

When you are interviewing people on-camera, you need to consider the lighting.  If you are in a location where you can control the light or if it is sunny outside, you should be able to capture good lighting.  Your last resort should be your on-camera light.  This light can create an undesired effect and is typically unflattering.  The greater the distance you have between the light source and the camera’s point of view, the higher the quality of video you will have.

For assistance with video production by an experienced Fairfax videographer, contact Gearshift TV at 703.928.8257.  We specialize in video production, Web video creation and photography.  Our studio is equipped with a custom-built green screen.  Call us today to find out more.